George Kozmetsky

George Kozmetsky, 85, passed away peacefully with his wife and family at his side Wednesday, April 30, 2003.

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Sunday at the Frank Erwin Center, Austin.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that contributions to celebrate Dr. Kozmetsky's life be sent to the George M. Kozmetsky Endowed Presidential Scholarship or the IC2 Institute, care of the University of Texas at Austin, Box 7458, Austin, Texas 78713.

Born in Seattle, Wash., on Oct. 5, 1917, to George and Nadya Omelanitz Kozmetsky, Dr. Kozmetsky led a life that successfully combined academia, industry, government and family.

Famous for his 18-hour workdays that started at 4 a.m., Dr. Kozmetsky never met a challenge too difficult or an idea too grand. At 20, he graduated from the University of Washington. After his decorated service in the Army Medical Corps during World War II, he earned MBA and doctorate degrees from Harvard University. Dr. Kozmetsky served as the dean of the College and Graduate School of Business of the University of Texas at Austin for 16 years before founding the IC2 Institute. Dr. Kozmetsky concluded his service as the executive associate for Economic Affairs for the University of Texas system.

His business acumen spanned service, manufacturing and technology-based industries. He was the co-founder and former executive vice president of Teledyne Inc. In addition, he assisted in developing over 100 technology-based companies as well as serving on numerous boards, including Gulf Oil, La Quinta, Helzer Inc. and Dell Corp. Dr. Kozmetsky earned the National Medal of Technology in 1993 and was acknowledged as an expert in high technology and venture capital.

Dr. Kozmetsky served both state and federal governments as an adviser, commissioner and panel member of various task forces, commissions and policy boards. He regularly provided special testimony on business and technology issues to state and federal legislators.

Dr. Kozmetsky was preceded in death by his son, George M. Kozmetsky.

Survivors: Wife of 59 years, Ronya; daughter, Nadya Scott of Santa Monica, Calif.; son, Gregory Kozmetsky and wife, Cindy, of Austin; grandchildren, Aaron Kozmetsky and wife, Tracey, of Dallas, Bethany Scott Herwegh and husband, Christopher, of Manhattan Beach, Calif., Daniel Kozmetsky of Austin, M. Jordan Scott of Austin, George Taylor Scott of Santa Monica, Calif., Sarah Kozmetsky of Dallas and Caitlin Scott of Colorado Springs, Colo.; great-grandchildren, Jack, Will, Claire and Mason; and his extended family of friends, cousins, nieces and nephews.