Wright State founder, Robert Oelman died
May 11, 2007 6:34:14 GMT -5
Post by Willie on May 11, 2007 6:34:14 GMT -5
Wright State founder, ex-NCR CEO Robert Oelman dies at 97
By Lisa A. Bernard
Staff Writer
Friday, May 11, 2007
DAYTON — A former CEO of NCR Corp. and founding member of Wright State University died Wednesday in Delray Beach, Fla.
Robert Oelman, who began his career with NCR in 1933 as an advertising copy writer, was 97.
His son, Bradford Oelman, said his father died as a result of complications associated with Alzheimer's.
"The NCR family is saddened to learn of Mr. Oelman's passing, and our thoughts are with his family at this time," said Bill Nuti, president and CEO of NCR in a written statement. "Mr. Oelman presided over NCR during a period of great change, and his exemplary leadership resulted in an even stronger company for which our employees, retirees and the Dayton community are all grateful."
Robert Oelman served as NCR's CEO from 1960 to 1974, leading the company through its transition from mechanical to electronic cash registers.
"The quest for truth and honesty in all his business dealings and respect for others were his hallmarks," said Bradford Oelman of his father. "Those hallmarks were particularly valuable to him during (NCR's) transition.... There were thousands of layoffs at the time. That was very difficult for him to deal with, but it had to be done in order for the business to survive."
A graduate and trustee of Dartmouth College, Robert Oelman also helped orchestrate the founding of Wright State University in 1967, serving as the first chairman over the university's board of trustees.
He was born in Dayton in 1909, the son of William Walter Oelman and Edith Schantz. In 1933 he married Mary Elizabeth Coolidge, also from Dayton. The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last fall.
www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/05/11/ddn051107OELMAN.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=2
By Lisa A. Bernard
Staff Writer
Friday, May 11, 2007
DAYTON — A former CEO of NCR Corp. and founding member of Wright State University died Wednesday in Delray Beach, Fla.
Robert Oelman, who began his career with NCR in 1933 as an advertising copy writer, was 97.
His son, Bradford Oelman, said his father died as a result of complications associated with Alzheimer's.
"The NCR family is saddened to learn of Mr. Oelman's passing, and our thoughts are with his family at this time," said Bill Nuti, president and CEO of NCR in a written statement. "Mr. Oelman presided over NCR during a period of great change, and his exemplary leadership resulted in an even stronger company for which our employees, retirees and the Dayton community are all grateful."
Robert Oelman served as NCR's CEO from 1960 to 1974, leading the company through its transition from mechanical to electronic cash registers.
"The quest for truth and honesty in all his business dealings and respect for others were his hallmarks," said Bradford Oelman of his father. "Those hallmarks were particularly valuable to him during (NCR's) transition.... There were thousands of layoffs at the time. That was very difficult for him to deal with, but it had to be done in order for the business to survive."
A graduate and trustee of Dartmouth College, Robert Oelman also helped orchestrate the founding of Wright State University in 1967, serving as the first chairman over the university's board of trustees.
He was born in Dayton in 1909, the son of William Walter Oelman and Edith Schantz. In 1933 he married Mary Elizabeth Coolidge, also from Dayton. The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last fall.
www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/05/11/ddn051107OELMAN.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=2
