Donald Koberg
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Died: 5/29/2010 Awards: CA Distinguished Teaching |
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Personal life
Don was born in New Orleans and grew up in and loved that city. It was there he met his high school sweetheart and wife, Caryl, who lived on the same street.
After completing high school in New Orleans Don continued his education in commercial art as well as engineering/drafting. He worked as a display designer at the fashionable Maison Blanche in New Orleans and also sold his own drawings and paintings.
During his military service during the Korean War, Don’s superior officers recognized his artistic talents and he was sent with the Army Corp of Engineers to Britain. After leaving military service in the mid-nineteen fifties he returned to New Orleans to work for architectural firms eventually entering Tulane University.
San Luis Obispo in the early ' 60s was a quiet agricultural community miles from any metropolitan center, but after moving to San Luis Obispo the Kobergs began to encourage the local arts community and were instrumental in establishing many of the arts association still active in San Luis Obispo today. The Kobergs maintained a strong connection to the food and culture of their native city, New Orleans, and in the late 1970s Don, along with Cal Poly Geography Professor George Suchand (at the suggestion of Don and Caryl’s niece Lesa Porche), started the tradition of the San Luis Obispo Mardi Gras. In its early days most of the “Kings and Queens” of the festive event were connected to Cal Poly and the College of Architecture and Environmental Design.[1]
Don Koberg was a unique individual; his colleagues and students admired his creative drive, disciplined organizational skills, dynamic style, passionate pursuit of excellence and limitless energy. He challenged his students, colleagues and friends to examine their beliefs and to hold fast to their convictions. Of course, he led by example. He had strong opinions that were well thought out, researched and clearly articulated.
In retirement Don remained a tireless student and artist. He began writing prolifically while continuing his pursuit of various art media and was also a staunch political advocate.
Don was a member of the group "Architects and Engineers for 911 Truth" and in referring to the 911 attacks was quoted as saying, "The facts are clear, the cover-up is unmistakable, the traitors are among us."[2]
Education
- Arch, Tulane University, 1957
- M.Arch, University of Washington, 1971
- M.Arch, Tulane University, 2004
Career
- Instructor, Architecture, North Dakota State University, 1958
- Assoc. Instructor, University of California, Berkeley, 1959-1961
- Coordinator Fifth Year Programs, 1972-1977
- Architecture Graduate Program Director, 1980-1982
- Interim Department Head, Architecture, 1983-1985
- Professor, Architecture Dept., Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, 1962 - 1992
From 1959 until 1962 Don taught at UC Berkeley and started a private practice. While teaching in Berkeley the Kobergs made a trip to San Luis Obispo to visit the School of Architectural Engineering at Cal Poly and, in the Fall of 1962, Don accepted a teaching position there.
Areas of Expertise
- Design Process
- Design Analysis
- Color
Registrations and Licenses
- Licensed Architect, State of Louisiana NAAB, 1958
Awards
- 1983: California Distinguished Teaching Award
Media and Publications
- "The Universal Traveler", co-author with James Bagnall
External links
Sources
- ↑ Cal Poly Arch Website, Professor Emeritus Donald Koberg, September 08, 2001
- ↑ AE911truth.org, User Profile, accessed 1/5/2010
