Robert von Ezdorf (August 15, 1889 – March 26, 1956) was an American architect and composer.[1]

Robert von Ezdorf
BornAugust 15, 1889
DiedMarch 26, 1956(1956-03-26) (aged 66)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationArchitect
SpouseFlorence Burke
BuildingsWaldorf-Astoria
Hotel Hershey
Commodore Hotel
ProjectsThe Secret City

He specialized in high-rise office buildings and also designed the interiors of the Commodore Hotel, the Waldorf-Astoria and Hotel Hershey as well as the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.[1] He worked for the firm of Cross and Cross where he served as chief designer.[2] He also worked at McKim, Mead, and White. Von Ezdorf also designed much of Oak Ridge's Secret City, including the reactor used in developing the atomic bomb.

Biography

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He was born on August 15, 1889, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1]

Von Ezdorf initially intended to embark on a career in music and studied music until he was 16. He then changed his focus to building design and earned a degree in architecture from George Washington University in 1912.[3] He studied drawing under Nathan C. Wyeth. He served in World War I as a 31st Aero Squadron lieutenant and was the first officer of that rank from Queens to be sent abroad.[4] He later served as a bird colonel during World War II.

He died in Summit, New Jersey on March 26, 1956.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Robert von Ezdorf, Architect Here, Dies; Designed Interior of the Waldorf-Astoria". New York Times. March 26, 1956. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  2. ^ "Webster Native Gave Fresno Its City Hall". Worcester Telegram & Gazette. February 20, 1992.
  3. ^ "Obituaries". Engineering News-Record. 156: 80. 1956.
  4. ^ Ernest Knaufft (1921). "War Memorials". The American Review of Reviews, vol. 63. Review of Reviews. Retrieved 27 January 2010.