Rice University professor in practice Douglas Eugene Oliver Jr., an accomplished architect and teacher who was cherished for his personability and expertise in and outside of the classroom, passed away on Monday, June 12, at 63 years old.
Oliver taught design studios within Rice's School of Architecture for more than 26 years.
"Doug's students and colleagues treasured his approachability, insight, talent and kindness,” said Amy Dittmar, the Howard R. Hughes Provost and professor of economics and finance. “He was an outstanding architect who left his mark on the city, and I am grateful for the nearly three decades of his life that he dedicated to teaching and inspiring the next generation of architects."
Oliver earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental design from Texas A&M University in 1982, followed by a master’s degree in architecture with distinction and a commendation for achievement in design from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design in 1987.
Before joining academia, he worked in industry, most recently serving as Huitt-Zollars Inc.’s national director of design.
Throughout his career, Oliver built an impressive portfolio. He served as lead designer of the George H.W. Bush Center and worked on major projects including the Student Services Building for Santa Monica College, a multiuse project at the Texas A&M University campus in College Station and Houston’s downtown convention center hotel, the Marriott Marquis. His international projects can be found in Mexico, Germany, Italy, China and the Middle East.
His professional highlights comprise a traveling fellowship from the SOM Foundation, 24 blind peer-reviewed design awards including a Progressive Architecture Award, and an internship with acclaimed architect and theoretician Peter Eisenman in New York.
Oliver considered his life’s most rewarding endeavor to be training upcoming architects at Rice. Colleagues noted his influence in the classroom and his ease at helping students understand and resolve design challenges.
“Doug was one of the kindest, most accessible teachers I have met,” said Troy Schaum, associate professor. “He had a way of making complex design ideas seem simple and almost inevitable through his much-sought-after deskside critiques. Students with the most difficult building problems would often track him down for advice.”
Oliver is survived by his wife Kimberly; former wife Lisa; brothers Craig and Benjy; step-children Dade, Zane and Chase; and nephews Ian, Malcom and Joshua.
A celebration of life will be held Monday, June 19, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Brookside Funeral Home-Cypress Creek, 9149 Highway 6 North.