Theodore Osmundson

Theodore Osmundson Landscape Architect 1921 - 2009 Died Thursday morning, April 9, 2009 at age 88, having succumbed to a brief illness. He had dealt with a host of ailments in recent years but was cared for at home by his loving wife, Lorraine. Ted was born January 29, 1921 in Portsmouth, VA. Rheumatic fever almost claimed his life at ages 6 and 13. His mother slowly nursed him back to health but he was left with an irregular heart beat which later prevented him from serving in World War II. He first attended college in Norfolk but moved to Iowa State University at Ames where he earned a BS in landscape architecture. On graduation day in 1943, he married Lorraine Wiese, a graduate in mathematics. The two struck out for California where a job with San Diego Parks awaited. Lorraine worked at a factory that built B-24 bombers. Later, Ted and Lorraine headed north to the SF Bay Area. Ted was landscape superintendent of a nursery while Lorraine earned a BS in architecture from UC Berkeley. After the war, Ted worked briefly for Garrett Eckbo and for Tommy Church in San Francisco. The profession of landscape architecture was just beginning to burst forth from its eastern emphasis on large formal gardens as more natural, modern designs became popular. Ted opened his own office in Oakland and landed his first design job: a garden for his heart doctor. He partnered with John Staley and Jack Gibson, classmates from Iowa State, but later opened his own San Francisco firm of Theodore Osmundson & Associates. He became well known when Osmundson & Staley was hired by Edgar Kaiser in 1958 to design a three-acre roof garden above the garage of the Kaiser Center in Oakland; this pioneering project remains one of the largest roof gardens in the world. Many years of travel, research, photography and writing culminated in the 1999 publication of his book "Roof Gardens - History, Design and Construction." It is the definitive reference on the subject, was recently reprinted in Chinese, and will soon be available electronically. Early on, Ted promoted the profession by actively participating in state and national organizations. He served as president of the California Association of Landscape Architects in the early 1950s, spearheading passage of the first state licensing law for landscape architects in the US. During 1967-69, he was president of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Finally, during 1991-1992, he served as president of the International Federation of Landscape Architects, which represents over 30 countries. During those years, he earned every award the ASLA can bestow. During his 60 years of practice Ted was responsible for the design of numerous residential landscapes, parks, playgrounds, college campuses, recreation areas, historic properties and rooftop landscapes. However, it was in the building of organizations related to his profession that he left his greatest mark. His vision of the ASLA went far in shaping it into what it is today. Awarded the ASLA Medal in 1983, it read, "Few landscape architects, if any, have made a greater contribution to their profession than has Theodore Osmundson. As talented designer, as world-wide spokesman for the profession, as renowned lecturer and accomplished author, his dedicated concern for excellence brings honor and recognition to our profession." Ted guest taught at both Harvard and Berkeley and frequently wrote articles for the ASLA journal 'Landscape Architecture'. He retired at age 83. Theodore Osmundson was a fine photographer, loved classical music, the opera and ballet. He was a student of history, particularly the Civil War. He had an intuitive sense for human nature, enjoyed reading to his children when they were young, and often regaled family and friends with stories and expressions from his early days in Portsmouth. He was an avid reader and traveler, visiting almost every state and some 35 countries with his wife of 65 years. Ted is survived by Lorraine; three sons: Gordon, who worked with him in his profession; Richard and Douglas; two daughters-in-law, Denna and Barbara; and three grandchildren: Leif, Raina and Alicia. His intellect, creativity, and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him. A celebration of his life is being planned.