Morris Ojalvo

Morris Ojalvo, age 100, passed away on May 28, 2024. He was born in Astoria (Queens County, NY) on March 4, 1924. He attended Stuyvesant HS and City College of NY. During WWII, Morris enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was an officer with the 99th Naval Construction Battalion (the “Seabees”) in the Philippines.

He completed a Master’s in Civil Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) as part of his U.S. Naval training program. While at RPI, Morris maintained lifelong friendships with fellow classmates.

Morris went on to teach at Princeton University while working on his PH.D. He completed his PH.D in Civil Engineering at Lehigh University. His career in faculty and research spanned many universities, including: Princeton University, Lehigh University, Ohio State University (OSU), and University of Texas at Austin.

While in Columbus OH, during his tenure at OSU, Morris and his wife Anita (Bedein) were founding members of the Beth Tikvah Congregation. They also participated in a monthly Beth Tikvah havurah group where they maintained many close friendships.

In retirement, Morris and Anita moved to Estes Park, Colorado, which had been a favorite vacation spot during summer camping trips with their family. In Colorado, Morris enjoyed his favorite pastimes: hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park with an Estes Park hiking group and playing tennis with a local seniors group.

He and Anita also enjoyed belonging to a small Jewish community in nearby Longmont, Colorado that met once a month on Friday for Shabbat dinner and to celebrate many of the Jewish holidays.

Both Morris and Anita valued the importance of an education and generously helped to support their many children and grandchildren to reach their educational goals.

Morris was predeceased by his wonderful wife Anita, his parents Nissim & Luna “Fannie” Ojalvo, a younger brother who died in infancy, his sister Clara Friedman, and his dearly loved grandson Stephen Henry Ojalvo.

Morris is survived by his brother Irving Ojalvo; 4 children—Lynne, Joseph, Howard, Isobel; 10 grandchildren—Isaac, Laureen, Jesse, Katherine, Isobel, Jessica, Daniel, Marissa, James, Sam; and 6 great-grandchildren—Henry, Auden, Rosalie, Stephen, Walden, Arlo.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

Those who wish to express sympathy may consider making a donation to their favorite charity in his name.