Malin Kenneth Oshman (July 9, 1940 – August 6, 2011) was an American entrepreneur,electrical engineer, and Silicon Valley pioneer, best known for co-founding ROLM Corporation and as CEO of Echelon Corporation. Oshman and three former classmates from Rice University founded ROLM,[2] growing it into a Fortune 500 company.[3] After he left ROLM, became chief executive officer of Echelon Corporation.[3][4]

Ken Oshman
Born
Malin Kenneth Oshman

(1940-07-09)July 9, 1940
DiedAugust 6, 2011(2011-08-06) (aged 71)
EducationRice, BA 1962
Rice, BS 1963
Stanford, MS EE (1965)
Stanford, PhD EE (1968)
Known forCo-founder of ROLM
CEO of Echelon
Spouse
Barbara (née Daily) Oshman
(m. 1962)
AwardsNational Academy of Engineering (1982)[1]
Scientific career
FieldsElectrical engineering
Thesis Studies of Optical Frequency Parametric Oscillation
Doctoral advisorSteve Harris

Oshman’s work in telecommunications and control networking contributed to the development of digital telephone switching systems and technologies used in the smart grid.

In addition to his business endeavors, Oshman was involved in various philanthropic and leadership roles, contributing to educational and community initiatives. He served on boards and advisory councils for organizations such as Stanford University, Rice University, and several technology companies.

Early life and education

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Malin Kenneth Oshman was born on July 9, 1940, in Kansas City, Missouri,[1] and grew up in Rosenberg, Texas,[5] near Houston. He attended St. Mark's School of Texas, a private college-preparatory school for boys, and then went on to attend Rice University in Houston, Texas. At Rice, he earned a B.A.degree, summa cum laude in 1962, and a B.S. in electrical engineering in 1963.[1] He went on to graduate school, at Stanford University in California, where he earned a master's degree (1965) and Ph.D (1968) in electrical engineering.[1]

Career

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After completing his studies, Oshman worked for several years as an engineer at Philco Corporation, an American company that specialized in electronics and defense systems. In 1969, he co-founded ROLM Corporation with three of his former classmates from Rice University[2] — Gene Richeson, Walter Loewenstern, and Robert Maxfield.[6] The company initially developed rugged military computers, but later expanded into telecommunications equipment.

Under Oshman's leadership, ROLM became a major player in the telecommunications industry, particularly in the development of private branch exchange (PBX) systems. In 1984, ROLM was acquired by IBM for $1.8 billion, making it one of the largest acquisitions in the technology industry at the time.

After leaving ROLM, in 1988, Oshman became the CEO of Echelon Corporation,[7] a company that specialized in creating energy-efficient technologies for homes and buildings. Under his leadership, Echelon became a leading player in the smart grid industry, developing technologies that helped to improve the efficiency and reliability of energy systems.

Philanthropy and community involvement

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Throughout his career, Oshman was known for his philanthropic activities and involvement in the community. He was a supporter of education and the arts, and helped to fund a number of initiatives in these areas.

In particular, Oshman was a strong advocate for science education and worked to promote the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for young people. In 2001, he donated $35 million to Rice University, which led to the creation of the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen, a state-of-the-art facility for engineering students to design and build prototypes.[8]

Oshman also supported the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he established the Oshman Family Professorship in Management, and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, where he served on the board of directors. He was also a major donor to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and supported a number of other arts organizations.

Legacy

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Oshman's contributions to the technology industry and his philanthropic work have left a lasting legacy. He was a pioneer in the development of Silicon Valley and played a key role in the growth of several companies that helped to shape the industry. His commitment to education and the arts also had a significant impact on the communities where he lived and worked.

Oshman passed away on August 6, 2011, at the age of 71. He is remembered as a visionary leader and a generous philanthropist who made significant contributions to the technology industry and the community at large.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Maxfield, Bob. "M. Kenneth Oshman 1940–2011". National Academy of Engineering. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Markoff, John (August 10, 2011). "M. Kenneth Oshman, Who Brought Fun to Silicon Valley, Dies at 71". New York Times.(subscription required)
  3. ^ a b "Pioneers of Innovation: A Fireside Chat: Meet the ECE alumni who built a Fortune 500 Company and the engine of Silicon Valley". Rice Engineering and Computing, Rice University. Sep 29, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  4. ^ "Ken Oshman, benefactor of Oshman Family JCC, dies at 71". Jewish News Weekly. August 11, 2011.
  5. ^ "Obituary: M. Kenneth Oshman (July 9, 1940 - August 6, 2011)". San Jose Mercury News & San Mateo County Times. August 9, 2011.
  6. ^ Seipel, Tracy (November–December 2011). "Farewells:Telecom Leader Ken Oshman". Stanford Magazine. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  7. ^ "High-Tech Venture has big names". Chicago Tribune. December 4, 1988. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  8. ^ "Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen". Rice University. Retrieved March 5, 2025.

Further reading

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  • Maxfield, Katherine (2014). Starting Up Silicon Valley. Emerald Book Company.