O. Clinton Kolar Jr.

O. Clinton Kolar Jr., a Lab retiree and resident of Corvallis, Ore. died Jan. 12.

Born in Southgate, Caif., in 1928, he was the only son of Oscar Sr. and Elizabeth Kolar.

Kolar grew up in Los Angeles spending a lot of time with his large extended family. From any early age, he was interested in science and would often conduct experiments on weekends in the backyard laboratory his parents built for him.

He skipped two grades and entered UCLA at the age of 16, where he graduated with honors. He received a Ph.D. in physics from UC Berkeley, graduating second in his class.

In 1955, Kolar and his family moved to Livermore where he joined LLNL. His work involved frequent travel to various test sites around the country, and later in his career, the world.

Kolar retired from the Lab in 1987, and in 1990 moved to Corvallis. He taught at Oregon State University for a few terms. He served for many years as a government auditor during the time of the Lab’s ‘Tiger Teams.’ He retired to spend his time hiking and travelling in the mid-1990s.

He remained in contact with many of his Livermore friends and colleagues for his entire life and added to his circle of friends when he moved to Corvallis.

Kolar is survived by his first wife, Marilyn; children, Libby, Jack and Walter; grandchildren Anthony, Emeline, Angelica, Marilyn Ruth and Nathaniel; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, cousins, Carolynne and Elmer, and his second wife Jeanne Bardellini.

A memorial service was held in Livermore Jan. 29. Donations may be made in Kolar’s name to The Fund for Animals, The Special Olympics or The Union of Concerned Scientists.