Walter Kolb, age 89, died peacefully on October 14, 2025, following a prolonged illness. He was born in New York City on March 18, 1936, to Hans and Lina Kolb. He was raised in the Bronx and received a geology scholarship at Oklahoma State University. In time, his interests turned toward urban planning, and he went on to complete a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Walter served in the Air Force reserve.
University of Oklahoma alumnus William “Bill” Earl Murphy was an accomplished architect and designer who helped introduce the visionary spirit of Oklahoma’s American School to New York and whose inventive work was frequently featured in The New York Times.
Bennie ‘Ben’ Leon Graves, an OU architecture alumn, peacefully passed away at his home in Norman, OK on November 11th, 2024, at the age of 79. As an architect, he designed cherished spaces across Norman and Oklahoma City, with a focus on the design and development of private residences, public education projects, and commercial developments.
John Hurtig, alumnus of the University of Oklahoma architecture program, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024. Hurtig partnered with Jim Gardner and Norm Froelich to form HGF Architects. HGF created distinctive and beautiful brick buildings in the Pueblo area for decades, including the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center.
Oklahoma-city based architect John Robison, and OU alumnus, recently passed away. John was a recognized architect, who helped develop the Paseo into a thriving environment for the arts.
Although he was born and died in North Texas (Wichita Falls and Tyler), Norm was a proud Sooner. Raised and educated in Wewoka and Norman, he became Midwest City’s first planning director, later assuming the role of planning director for Oklahoma City during the mid-1970s.
Born in Chicago, Howard graduated from Hyde Park High School before studying architecture at University of Southern California, Los Angeles. He completed his architecture degree at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, where he studied under his mentor, Bruce Alonzo Goff. Howard specialized in alternative energy architecture and was part of a school of organic architects known as the “Friends of Kebyar”.
Jerry Merriman earned a degree in architecture from the University of Oklahoma in 1971 and founded Merriman Associates/Architects in 1987. In 33 years of running the firm, Jerry was instrumental in the shaping of downtown Dallas with more than 40 projects covering nearly every downtown neighborhood. Jerry’s success was built on his love of people, a deep sense of community and a genuine connection with his employees and their families.
On September 10, 2022, William Malcolm Shaw (Bill) graduated from this life and went to be with family and friends who have gone before him. Bill was born on September 15, 1932, in Oklahoma City to Richard Frank Shaw and Dorothy Hawk Shaw.
Ernest E. Burden was born August 22, 1934 in Worcester, Massachusetts to Priscilla and Ernest E. Burden, Sr. He passed away February 9, 2022 in Altamonte Springs, Florida, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Catherine Dwen Montgomery, AIA was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado on July 2, 1960, to Sarah and Robert King. She passed away on February 17, 2022 in Oklahoma City at the age of 61. Catherine was an active member of the American Institute of Architects and served on multiple boards for architectural organizations in Oklahoma, including the Gibbs College Architecture Professional Advisory Board at the University of Oklahoma.
Kenneth Robson, former director of the Haskell and Irene Lemon Division of Construction Science at the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture, passed away on January 8th, 2022.
It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of Christopher C. Gibbs, OU Class of 1967. Mr. Gibbs was known for his success in the home construction and development industry, as well as his exceptional generosity to his beloved alma mater.
