Dr. Olan Kruse, professor emeritus of physics, died Wednesday, March 25. Kruse provided more than 50 years of service to the physics department and was a loyal friend and benefactor to the university.

Kruse received his bachelor’s degree in physics in 1942 from Texas A&I University. He served in the Navy during World War II, teaching sailors how to use radar, a newly developed technology at that time. He returned to South Texas after the war, teaching at Texas A&I University while completing his graduate work in physics at the University of Texas.

After receiving his doctorate in 1951, he worked for a short time at Stephen F. Austin University, before returning to Texas A&I University as chair of the physics department. One of his first tasks was to design a new building for the department, the Lon C. Hill Physics Building, where the department remains today. Under his leadership, the physics program offered both undergraduate and graduate degrees, hosted an annual Physics Exhibits event and offered a series of physics institutes in the summer.

Kruse chaired the committee that created the Faculty Senate and served in that assembly each time that he was eligible. He chaired the physics department until 1987 and continued to teach at the university until 2000.

Along with his wife, Lucy, he established the Olan Kruse Science Faculty Award, which recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences. The couple also offered generous support to other university programs over the years.

In 2003, the physics/geosciences department established the Olan Kruse Lecture to honor the professor for his dedicated service to both the department and the university. Dr. Wolfgang Rindler delivered the first lecture.

A memorial service for Dr. Kruse will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at the First United Methodist Church in Kingsville. Arrangements are under the direction of the Turcotte-Piper Mortuary.