In Memoriam – Calvin M. Olson

DRA regrets to report the passing of Calvin M. Olson, age 81, on December 19, 2018. Cal was a consummate professional, talented designer and dedicated mentor to all of us.

Cal joined DRA in 2001 after an exceptional early career with experiences that included apprenticing with Frank Lloyd Wright in Taliesin, working with Louis Kahn, and serving as chief architect for Ellerbe Becket in Minnesota and Washington, DC.

His contributions at DRA included the design of numerous educational facilities at a variety of scales. Cal oversaw the renovations and new construction of the entire Milton Public Schools system, the renovation and expansion of Putnam (CT) High School, and most recently the new Marathon Elementary School in Hopkinton. He approached all of his work with a passion and a commitment to excellence.

Beyond his architectural contributions, Cal was also a committed educator at heart. He not only acted as a mentor to many young designers at DRA, but also served as an instructor for the Gateway to Practice program at the Boston Architectural College. Cal brought his midwestern sensibility, thoughtfulness, and sense of humor to all he dealt with.

Everyone at DRA will miss Cal, but we all feel lucky to have known him.