Ormsby, Robert B., Jr., 1995 October 24

The following is a Living History Interview with Robert Ormsby, Georgia Tech class of 1945, conducted by Marilyn Somers at Georgia Tech on October 24, 1995. The subject of the interview is student life at Georgia Tech. Mr. Ormsby begins the interview by telling stories from his childhood how he decided upon a major in school. He states that he didn't do well in public school, therefore his mother placed him in military school which prepared him well for Tech. Mr. Ormsby states that he wanted to go into the merchant marines, but his asthma kept him out of the service. This leads into his story about Club 72, the group of civilians who weren't shipped out to war. Mr. Ormsby then talks about Knowles dorm and watching football from the third floor. From the stories about watching football, Mr. Ormsby discusses his football memories. Mr. Ormsby then talks about D.M. Smith and tells some good stories about the professor. He then talks about the competitiveness of Tech and the Aeronautical engineering program. He mentions Don Dutton, Al Poke, and Alan DuKoff. Mr. Ormsby relates a story about old calculators. He proceeds to talk about humanities at Tech and how he is proud of them at Tech. Mr. Ormsby then talks about the IFC dances and how he and his cousin would dance a weekend away at the dances at Emory and Tech. Mr. Ormsby talks about the lack of cars on the campus and tell great stories about the "pushits" rental cars. He talks about running the cars in reverse to run off the mileage. Mr. Ormsby then mentions two Tech legends, George P. Burdell and Freddie Lanoue. Mr. Ormsby talks about how he avoided Freddie's drownproofing by swimming the mile on the first day of class. He then talks about his fraternity and the pranks they pulled on their next door neighbors. Jimmy Carter is the next topic that Mr. Ormsby talks about. He then talks about his commencement address that he gave in 1984. After this he talks about his work experience at the Glen L. Martin Company and Lockhead. While talking about Lockhead, he mentions operations research and the C-5 program. After finishing his work experience, Mr. Ormsby talks about what he is doing in retirement. He concludes the interview by discussing his family and stating that he would do the whole thing over again.