Anthony Louis Olasov, 22, a senior electrical and computer engineering student, died March 10, 2009, when he accidentally drowned while on spring break in Costa Rica.
Olasov was born March 2, 1987, the son of William and Christine Olasov. He was the older brother of Lauren Olasov.
He was a 2005 graduate of the Academic Magnet High School in Charleston, S.C. He was to graduate with honors this May with a degree in electrical and computer engineering.
While at Washington University, Olasov worked as a teaching assistant and a computer technical assistant and served on the Electrical Engineering Student Advisory Board. He was actively involved in the College Libertarians and had the respect of many of his peers and professors.
“Anthony’s family shared with us that he loved being at Washington University, and the past four years have been the best years of his life,” said Salvatore P. Sutera, Ph.D., dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science.
“Anthony had a never-ending desire to learn and was planning to attend graduate school in the fall,” Sutera said. “In honor of Anthony and his desire for learning, his family has established the Anthony Louis Olasov Memorial Scholarship in Engineering at Washington University.”
Olasov was a talented pianist, having played for 15 years, and he had the ability to bring tears to his mother’s eyes.
In addition to his parents and sister, Olasov is survived by his grandmother, Faye R. Olasov; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
The funeral was in Charleston March 13. There will be a memorial service at Washington University at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Anthony Louis Olasov Memorial Scholarship, Washington University, One Brookings Drive, Box 1082, St. Louis, Mo., 63130.
Checks may be made payable to Washington University.