Dr. George Kozmetsky

DR. GEORGE KOZMETSKY 1917 -2003    Dr. George Kozmetsky passed away peacefully with his wife and family at his side on April 30, 2003. Born in Seattle on October 5, 1917 to George and Nadya Omelanitz Kozmetsky, Dr. Kozmetsky led a life which successfully combined academia, industry, government and family.    Famous for his 18-hour work days which started at 4:00am, 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 Corp during World War II, he earned a MBA and Doctorate degree 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, Heizer Inc., and Dell Corporation. 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 advisor, 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 and is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ronya. He will also be missed by his daughter Nadya Scott of Santa Monica, CA; his son Gregory Kozmetsky, and his wife Cindy of Austin. Surviving members of his family include his grandchildren: Aaron Kozmetsky and his wife Tracey of Dallas; Bethany Scott Herwegh, and her husband Christopher of Manhattan Beach, CA; Daniel Kozmetsky of Austin; M. Jordan Scott of Austin; George Taylor Scott of Santa Monica, CA; Sarah Kozmetsky of Dallas; Caitlin Scott of Colorado Springs, CO; and his great-grandchildren Jack, Will, Claire and Mason. He will be missed greatly by his extended family of friends, cousins, nieces, and nephews.    A celebration and memorial of Dr. Kozmetsky's life will be held Sunday, May 4th at 2:00pm at the Frank Erwin Center.    In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family has asked that contributions to celebrate Dr. Kozmetsky's life be sent to either the George M. Kozmetsky Endowed Presidential Scholarship or The IC2 Institute at the following address: The University of Texas at Austin, P.O. Box 7458, Austin, TX 78713.    Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 (512) 452-8811.