Howard Olson ’65
Howard died of liver cancer on Jan. 22, 1997, while awaiting treatment at the U. of Chicago Hospital.
After Princeton he attended Georgia Tech on a Callaway Foundation Fellowship and then earned a PhD from the U. of Manchester in textiles, which led to work with NASA's Ames Research Center in San Francisco, developing fabric components of the space suit for astronauts. At the time of his death he was an associate professor at Georgia Tech in the School of Textile Fiber Engineering. Prior to that he served as associate chair for facilities and student affairs and was deeply involved in the construction of the new building for that department.
An Eagle Scout, Howard continued his scouting activities through his adult life and was named Educator of the Year in 1977 by the Society of Professional Engineers. He also served for a number of years as secretary-treasurer of several textile industry associations.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his daughter, Laura Ann; a sister, Margaret; and a brother, Wayne. To all of them, the class sends its condolences on their loss.
The Class of 1965
Paw in print
December 2025
Judge Michael Park ’98; shifts in DEI initiatives; a night at the new art museum.
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Comments
Jeffrey Martin
1 Year AgoDr. Olson, Beacon of Light to Students at Georgia Tech
I was a student in textile engineering at Georgia Tech and greatly benefitted from his inclusive style of teaching. I was also his student assistant on the NASA project and worked closely with he and Ames Research Center in California developing coated textiles with unique physical properties for the space shuttle program. I think of him often when I reflect on my times at Tech.