GEORGE TALBOT OSER, PH.D.
1936-2018
George Talbot Oser Ph.D., age 81, of Houston, Texas died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, the 13th of March 2018. Born on the 19th of July 1936, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston, Texas, he subsequently attended primary school at St. Mary’s of the Purification Catholic School and St. Thomas High School in Houston, Texas. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame Magna cum Laude in 1958. He went on to the University of Michigan where he obtained his doctorate in Physics. He was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and a Rhodes Scholar regional nominee. Early in his career he worked for Bendix Aerospace. He was a part of the NASA team that developed the Lunar Rover Vehicle. Following Bendix, he worked for Shell Oil Company, but he spent the majority of his career in academia, with appointments at the University of Houston and the University of Texas Health Science Center, where he spent almost 20 years. He leaves an enviable record as a contributor to the broader community
George was a true social justice advocate. He was intolerant of anyone being mistreated. When George returned to Houston in the mid ‘60s as a native-born achiever he found a big desire to improve the Houston educational system. George was the founder and first president of Citizens for Good Schools, a cross-section of Houstonians interested in desegregating the Houston Independent School District and improving the overall public education system. George ran with a slate of candidates from Citizens for Good Schools on a desegregation platform. The slate won election in 1969. George served as treasurer, secretary, vice president, and president of the HISD Board of Trustees. During his tenure on the board, HISD was peacefully desegregated. In addition, the first magnet schools in Houston were established as well as the Houston Community College. During this time, George co-founded Volunteers in Public Schools, which at the time, helped screen preschoolers for learning disabilities. His work on the board of HISD was one of his proudest achievements. His passion for quality public schools for all children never ever faded.
George had an undying passion for his alma mater, Notre Dame. During football season, he could always be found in front of the television rooting for the Fighting Irish on Saturdays or watching the movie “Rudy”. He always flew a large Notre Dame flag from the second story of his home on those days. He was an active board member of the Notre Dame Club of Houston as well as board officer for his neighborhood association, Camp Logan. He served as Democratic precinct chairman for several dozen elections. Receiving the Reverend Louis J. Putz, CSC, Award from the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association was his most cherished achievement.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Julianne Ganter Oser, and his father, George Lee Oser. He is survived by his long-time companion and best friend, Nancy Kay Hansel; his daughters, Margaret, Christine and Ruthanne; and his grandchildren, Sadie, Emma, Nicholas and Madeline. Also surviving him is his “honorary” son, Joshua Hansel and his “honorary” grandchildren, Erik, Kelley, and Julia Kay of Atlanta, GA.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from half-past twelve o’clock until half-past two o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 23rd of March, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
Immediately following the visitation Friday afternoon, the funeral service will be conducted at half-past two o’clock also in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons. Following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed toward The University of Notre Dame George Talbot Oser Scholarship Fund, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.