 LeRoy O. Olson
Distinguished Staff Award
Department: Principal Mechanical Engineer, Applied
Physics Laboratory; 39 years at UW.
On the Job: Develops and directs deployment of numerous open-ocean
and seafloor experiments, including surface buoys, deep-sea towers for stable
acoustic platforms and unmanned submersibles. He is "the engineer to
whom scientists come when faced with a challenging design or field deployment
problems," says a supervisor.
Achievements: He conceived and executed the means by which four
sulfide chimneys (weighing at least 1,200 pounds each) would be recovered
from the ocean bottom, 1.5 miles below the surface. This was a very risky
operation, fraught with problems such as temperatures hot enough to melt
recovery lines, high pressures, and little knowledge of the structures themselves.
Quote: "Olson's work is characterized by innovation in combination
with sound engineering practice, by foresight and attention to detail, by
careful planning and superb execution. His consistent high standards have
earned him the absolute trust of his co-workers and the scientists whom
he supports."--Applied Physics Laboratory Director Robert Spindel | 