Walter Kolb

2024 Distinguished Alumni

B.S. Geography '59

Walter Kolb, also known to his college friends as “Whitey,” was born in the Bronx during the Great Depression. His parents were immigrants from Switzerland and Western Germany.

Walt graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in geography in 1959, one of the first classes after Oklahoma A&M was renamed Oklahoma State University. Part of his studies also included business, geology and civil engineering. After leaving OSU, Walt earned his master’s degree from OU in city and regional planning.

Walt’s first job after graduation was planning director in Henderson, Kentucky. Walt went on to hold similar positions in Charleston, West Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; and Tallahassee, Florida.

Walt settled in Tallahassee where he was appointed by two different governors to the position of policy and budget manager. He directed studies on the Cross Florida Canal, The Everglades Airport and Florida Coastal Areas. Walt noted that the canal and airport projects were controversial, but the coastal studies resulted in the preservation of many beach and coastal and beach areas.

Walt is now happily retired in Tallahassee but continues his lifelong support of education system improvements and better opportunities for all. Walt has been a longtime supporter of OSU, including the endowment of two graduate scholarships. "I will always support the preservation of natural resources for our future generations,” Walt said.