Geoffrey D. Austrian

Geoffrey D. Austrian, a writer and artist, died on October 18th at the age of 92.

A resident of Auburndale, Massachusetts, Mr. Austrian was best known for his biography of inventor Herman Hollerith who laid the groundwork for the data processing industry with his punched card data processing system. At the book's publication in 1982, Professor Bernard Cohen of Harvard called it, "a major contribution to American scientific, technological, business and social history." Among Mr. Austrian's other books was a biography of his great uncle, artist Ben Austrian, whose painting of a tiny chick titled "Hasn't Scratched Yet," became the symbol and motto of the Bon Ami Company more than 100 years ago.

Mr. Austrian was born on March 31, 1930 in New York City, the son of Beryl (Siegbert) and Carl Austrian. He graduated from The Fessenden School in Newton, Massachusetts and The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and was a 1953 graduate of Harvard College. After several editorial and advertising jobs, he spent six years as a newspaper reporter for the Bergen Evening Record, the Associated Press, and the New York Post. He was also a business reporter at the New York World Telegram & Sun, where he covered the emergence of electronic computers in the late 1950s when such firms as RCA, Daystrom, Burroughs, and General Electric were struggling to gain a foothold in the industry. His work led to a job offer from IBM. "Either they liked what I was writing" he recalled, "or wanted to take me out of circulation."

Mr. Austrian handled a wide variety of assignments over 27 years with IBM, ranging from product publicity and press relations to public affairs and speech writing. During his last 12 years at IBM, he served as a writer and editor of the company's former Think magazine. He took early retirement from IBM in 1987.

After retiring, Mr. Austrian devoted himself to painting in oils and acrylics. An avid fly fisherman, he drew most of his inspiration from the streams and mountains of the West. He studied at the deCordova Museum and was a member of the Lexington Arts & Crafts Society Painters Guild where his work won a Best in Show award at its annual show in 2007. As member of the Villa Group of semi-professional artists in Newton, he participated in many Newton Open Studios.

Known as a consummate gentleman, Geoffrey was thoughtful and generous with his many friends and especially with his family. He leaves his devoted wife, Natalie, of 33 years, two daughters from his first marriage to Sonia Austrian, Dr. Susan Austrian and her husband, Bayard Clarkson of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and Sarah Austrian of New York City, two grandchildren, Emily Freeman and Matthew Clarkson as well as great-grandson Samuel Freeman. The family asks that any donations in Geoffrey's memory be made to The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.