Tributes

Dr. Turgut Ozan, professor emeritus at St. Mary's University, founded engineering at the university in 1960. At the time, this was the only university offering an engineering course in San Antonio. Turgut Ozan passed away peacefully in his home in the early hours of June 13, 2011. He was 92. Dr. Ozan was born in Ankara, Turkey where he attended the military high school. On the basis of competitive national exams, he won a scholarship to the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland, where he received his bachelor and masters degrees. In 1957, he received his second masters from the University of Birmingham in England. In 1960, while working towards his Ph.D. at Washington University in St. Louis, he was invited to St. Mary's University to organize an industrial engineering department. The first class of six students graduated in 1961 with bachelor of science degrees. From that modest beginning 50 years ago, the Department of Engineering has grown to offer six vibrant engineering programs. In 1984, he became the Dean of Engineering. Dr. Ozan's graduates have gone on to firms such as SW Research and Boeing. Many of his former students attribute their success to the culture of excellence and high standards that he implemented. Until this very year, he eagerly frequented the campus to serve as mentor and offer guidance to students. Amongst the proudest of Dr. Ozan's many achievements was the foundation in 1986, of TAASA, or Turkish American Association of San Antonio, as a means to promote the Turkish culture to Americans as well as to children of Turkish heritage. That legacy continues today in the annual participation by TAASA in the Texas Folklife Festival. His most endearing legacy was his family. He married his beloved wife, Sevin, from Izmir, Turkey, in 1965. They have lived in San Antonio since their marriage. They enjoyed traveling to many of the states and other countries. His wife was his loving companion through their years together. He is survived by his son, Dr. Aydin Ozan and his wife Samantha, and daughter Oya Cimen and her husband Reha; grandchildren, Selin Cimen, Eren Cimen, Megan Ozan, and Justin Turgut Ozan. He was a family man who enjoyed spending time with them especially his grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Turgut Ozan Scholarship Fund at St. Mary's University. The scholarship fund was created to carry on his service and dedication to the engineering department by providing funds to exceptional students.

Tributes

Dr. Turgut Mustafa Ozan

March 2, 1919 - June 13, 2011