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Jeffrey Ollswang Obituary
Died on April 7, 2021 at the age of 80 years. He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Pearl (nee Silvers), his brother Paul, his first wife Felicity and infant son Christopher. He is survived by his wife Lynn (nee Manegold), sons Aaron (Angela) and Joshua, granddaughters Elena and Miriam and brother-in-law Gilbert Manegold. He is further survived by many dear friends, colleagues and students.
Jeff had an active professional and academic life. He was a Professor Emeritus of Architecture, educating and advising students at UW-Milwaukee for 40 years where he was beloved by both faculty and students. He taught at the University of Arizona and the University of Oregon before his long tenure at UW-M.
Jeff was known for his expertise in acoustics and lighting and would often be called upon to provide architectural consultations. He also was president and CEO of his own company, Design Competition Services; where he coordinated design competition processes for others, ensuring the selection process was professional and fair. He was the Midwest representative for the NEA. He also partnered with Lawrence Witzling - the two were design competition advisors for the Astronauts Memorial, The World Trade Center Memorial and as well as many other competitions. He was a published author, most notably of "Simplified Design for Building Sound Control" which he co-authored with James Ambrose.
Always interested in how things work, he was fascinated with watches. He joined the NAWCC in 1975 where he made many good friends over the years.
Jeff had a love for music and a great sense of humor. While at the University in AZ, he formed a band with some faculty and students called "Doc Ollswang's Traveling Snake Oil and Tractor Repair Company." Jeff grew up in Manhattan, New York where he joined "Your Father's Mustache" a performing music club where he sang and played the banjo. Through the years, he performed with the group at many venues, most notably on Ed Sullivan and Johnny Carson and at the White House and Carnegie Hall.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date when we can all safely gather together and celebrate the life of this extraordinary man.
Jeff's heart was in his love of the environment, his love of music, art and design, of watches, but most importantly it was the love of family and friends that he held closest to his heart.
If you would like to make a donation in Jeff's memory, please do so to your favorite health charity, environmental organization or music charity - that would make him happy.
Jeff's family thanks everyone for all the love and laughter that was shared with Jeff over the years.
Heritage Funeral Home
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414-321-7440
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Memories and Condolences
for Jeffrey Ollswang
Sponsored by Heritage Funeral Home – Milwaukee.
JT Spence, PhD, AICP
June 4, 2021
Jeffrey was a real authentic character and I am pleased to have been able to work with him on the Roebling Gateway Park Design Competition in Covington (KY) in 1993. I learned a great deal from him and enjoyed his enthusiasm, good humor, and the way he spoke passionately about design and architecture. He did an excellent job of helping us get the most out of the competition including world wide acknowledgement and participation. Thank you Jeffrey.
Benjamin S.
May 20, 2021
Prof Ollswang will be missed deeply. His classes were always the most entertaining and I looked forward to every single one. To the family, please accept my deepest condolences.
Abraham Rodriguez Guzman, AIA, NOMA
May 13, 2021
One of my favorite professors in architecture school. My deepest condolences to his family.
Stan Stojkovic
May 12, 2021
Jeff was a great colleague at UWM. His sense of humor was unparalleled and his contribution to the field of architecture and UWM second to none. I will miss him. I use to see him in recent years at Ma Fischer's for breakfast. In fact, the last time I saw him was at Ma Fischer's where he bought me breakfast. My deepest sympathies to friends and family. I will always remember him as possessing a great sense of humor and committed to others. He will be missed. Memories eternal!
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KEVIN NICKELS
May 10, 2021
So sorry to hear about the passing of Jeff. I was with him and Felicity when they took our group to London and Scotland to study in 1977. Out of all of professors I studied under, I can honestly say that Jeff really cared about the student. His way of teaching made learning fun. I an glad he was able to retire when he did and was able to enjoy his later years. God's speed and prayers to all who were able to know him.
TA. Russell
May 10, 2021
My Deepest Condolences.
I will surely miss Prof. Ollswang, and all his great lectures in Architecture. Many thanks Jeffrey O.
Yun H
May 8, 2021
Jeff's acoustics and lighting class is so interesting and I miss him very much. R.I.P.
Lynn Javoroski
May 8, 2021
It's been many years, but I remember his humor and his humanity most of all. May you all be comforted.
Rich Elbert, AIA, Esq.
May 7, 2021
My deepest condolences. Professor Ollswang not only loved architecture, he loved life. A favorite professor of mine, his was a class you enjoyed attending, and one where you came away with knowledge beyond the curricula. And often with a smile. I recall what another person wrote here, when he told our class that many architects would be sued during their careers. That stayed with me and while he never knew it, he was an influence on me to become a lawyer representing an architectural firm. Thanks for the inspiration, the dedication, and the laughs. You'll be missed.
Ben Caldwell, AIA
May 7, 2021
Oh dear. Sad news indeed. I would like to assure Prof. Ollswang's family that he did provide much love and laughter over the years. I had the pleasure (and terror) of being at the "cutting edge" of many of Prof. Ollswang's project reviews and crits. He never held back and as painful as that sometimes was, that was always good for us. He taught me early on, that constructive criticism with humor can be very effective. I will forever be indebted to him for this life lesson. Thank you, Jeffery Ollswang, for a life well lived and for sharing that life with us. You will be missed. Much love to his family.
Ron Dorsch
May 7, 2021
"81 Grad here. I was scheduled to take a Materials & Methods class with him when it was announced that he had a family emergency, and that other professors & staff would be filling in for him teaching from his notes. David "Uncle Dave" Glasser was the first who handled detailing, all the others who pitched in as well. I missed the opportunity to have him teach the class. I remember fighting to schedule the class with him wanting to take the course because of all the good stories I heard from fellow classmates.. Even though I missed the chance I did on occasion talk to him passing in the halls on the way to class or studio. I remember the twinkle in his eye as he paused considering my question before he answered, regardless how naive it was so early in my studies. Great person, good times, fond memories...Blessings to his family & friends in his memory
Tarik Tadmori
May 7, 2021
I was lucky to have not one, but two classes with Prof. Ollswang; Arch 201 and a watercolor class. What I remember most in the classes was not how to arrange space or that "the lightest light is next to the darkest dark" it was his flair for life, mentor ship and love of his family. Larger than life and a force of nature rolled into one.
May God rest his soul and I thank Prof Ollswang for the brief, but impactful interaction at UWM
Dave Plumb
May 7, 2021
One of my fondest memories of SARUP was Jeff explaining that our drawings should be clear and understandable. He would say we shouldn´t have to say "What I really mean is..."
One crit we all showed up wearing T-shirts that read "What I really mean is"
Mark M. Smith
May 7, 2021
In 1994 Prof. Ollswang and I met by accident in the SARUP commons. I was singing and whistling a old Hank Williams song one morning. Unknown to me and on the other side of a display panel Jeff had his banjo and was singing and playing a different song. "Hey be quiet over there we professionals are performing" he said. I popped around a corner and there he was in full regalia, red and white stripes, the boater hat, banjo on knee and - as always that huge smile on his face.
Later when I was in one of the many classes he taught he would challenge us and I would usually have the correct answer so he would shift to asking obtuse non architecture questions such as "when it rains do the cows lie down?" Jeff was always on and always light on his feet.
He was also very generous with his criticism and feedback. He would read the room the jury the students and find just the right space, timing and perfect things to say to keep the learning, the improvement and above all else - THE FUN TO KEEP HAPPENING!
Thanks Professor Ollswang
Valerie Casale
May 7, 2021
I loved all the classes I took from him. He will be sorely missed.
Skip Holschbach
April 25, 2021
Timeline 1988' 1st semester - UWM Architecture 100: Prof. Ollswang (to 500 pre-Arch candidates) "How many of you want to be architects?" 500 hands go up.
Prof. Ollswang" HA HA Ha!!!! How many of you want to be Mike Brady (Brady Bunch) designing houses?" 400+ hands go up!
Prof. Ollswang " HA HA HA - few architects actually design houses! How many of you look forward to getting sued?1?" Umm.... no hands go up.....
Prof. Ollswang " HA HA HA - Almost ALL architects will be sued in their careers!"
Next day .... instead of 500 architecture majors, there is under 200!!!
Bonus for those of us who stuck it out to the end of the semester? A full 45 minutes of Prof. Ollswang playing on his beloved banjo!
Never, at any point in my academic career did I think I would become anything in the field. Yet, 10 years later I was back in grad school (already a licensed architect) looking to be much more. More classes with Prof. Ollswang! Only now, with real world experience in hand, did I really appreciate what he'd taught me previously. The opportunity he provided to me to spar with him "professional to professional" - priceless!! Ironically, the worst grad school grade I ever received - B+!! (Grad school was a 3.8+ BTW). He really challenged me, and I will always be grateful for the instruction and critical thinking brought forth in me. Had votes been taken, I would have been voted "least likely to succeed!" Yet, here I am, Associate Principal in one of Milwaukee's largest and most prestigious firms. Jeff Ollswang deserves no small amount of recognition and praise for the successes I have been priveledge to! RIP Prof. Ollswang, I have always, and will continue, to remember you as one of the most influential teachers I've ever had the priveledge of learning from!
Patrick J. Meehan, AIA, AICP
April 22, 2021
Professor Ollswang was one of my favorite professors. When I attended UWM-SARUP, he taught a 9-credit studio course in environmental systems in 1974. He made ALL of his lectures fun and interesting. At least on one occasion he came dressed like Sherlock Holmes (complete with hat & pipe) to present a detailed fire suppression system analysis of the, then recently released, movie "Towering Inferno". I would often see him decades later with his buddy Professor Harvey Rabinowitz (another of my favorite SARUP professors) at the Elkhorn Flea Market. It was always such a treat for my wife and I to d a "stop and chat" with them. Rest in peace Professor your warm smile and and fun loving nature will surely be missed by all who knew you.
Ralph Wettstein
April 18, 2021
Wished i had known ya. Take a bow,Jeff.
Tania (May) Avello
April 17, 2021
UWM SARUP - He brought a bit of laughter and twang, here's to you Prof Ollswang! God Bless your family.
Gilbert Manegold
April 16, 2021
Gilbert Manegold
April 16, 2021
Gilbert Manegold
April 16, 2021
"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
This is how Jeffrey lived and how he succeeded .He was my brother in law and a good friend. I am ever grateful to have been blessed knowing and loving him.
I´m a gentile but I know what a true mensch Jeffrey was .
To his widow -my lovely sister Lynn I say thank you for sharing these last years of Jeffrey´s with me and your Amazing family .I´m so blessed to have spent so many fun times together sharing laughs and my terrible dad jokes and puns. My deepest love and heartfelt sympathies . Gilbert
Michelle Czosnek
April 15, 2021
Bob and I loved you, Jeff. If there’s an afterlife, I hope the two of you run into some old character actors and that there’s a great deli. It was a privilege to know you, to laugh with you. Miss you. Michelle
Meg Gleason
April 13, 2021
I really enjoyed the time I spent with Jeff, Lynne, Aaron and little Joshua. Jeff made fun New York recipes, sang and danced around the house and showed me great watches. I hear he was a good story telling professor at UWM. I hope you are eventually able to remember him with a smile as I do.
Paul Pyfferoen, AIA
April 12, 2021
Professor Ollswang was undoubtedly my favorite professor at UW-Milwaukee: SARUP. He was a fantastic person, who offered guidance, criticism, help and provided incredible entertainment in studio - when he´d whip out his banjo!!
Jeff will be missed!
Constance Zakszewski( Evonnes office)
April 11, 2021
Lynn please accept my deepest sympathy. I can only imagine how difficult it has been for you and your family. There is one thing I must say about Jeff and that was that he was a hoot! Always happy and fun to be around. I will always remember him in his Warner Brothers shirts. He was so proud of them and I envied them.Your happy memories will get you through your sadness. Bless you and yours.
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