Colonel Robert Yablonski was an Olmsted Scholar in Lyon, France, from 1980 to 1982, the beginning of his lifelong support of the Olmsted Foundation. He returned twice to serve as a member of the Olmsted Foundation Board of Directors (1997-1998; 2001-2008). Following his retirement from the Air Force, Bob continued to guide and shape the Olmsted Scholar Program as the Executive Vice President of the Foundation from 2002 until 2008.
A year after stepping down as Executive Vice President, Colonel Yablonski lost his long, courageous battle with leukemia.
Today, Colonel Yablonski’s infectious enthusiasm, sense of humor, and passionate support of the Olmsted Foundation lives on through the Robert Yablonski Esprit Award.
Established in 2010, the Robert Yablonski Esprit Award is presented to the Olmsted Scholar who best exemplifies the enthusiasm for the ideals embodied in the Olmsted Scholar Program and the dedication to the Olmsted Foundation demonstrated by Colonel Yablonski in his years of selfless service to the Foundation.
Robert Yablonski Esprit Award recipients include:
Major Jay Rowley, USA
Olmsted Scholar Class of 2020
Jerusalem, Israel
Read more about 2025 Robert Yablonski Esprit Award recipient Major Jay Rowley.
Brigadier General Brian Denaro, USSF
Olmsted Scholar Class of 2006
Guangzhou, China
Commander Carlos Oroza, USN
Olmsted Scholar Class of 2015
Lyon, France
Captain Emily Bassett, USN
Olmsted Scholar Class of 2009
Cadiz, Spain
Lieutenant Colonel Brendan Mulvaney, USMC
Olmsted Scholar Class of 2003
Shanghai, China
Colonel Mike Hopkins, USSF
Olmsted Scholar Class of 2003
Parma, Italy
Captain Dave Sauve, USN
Olmsted Scholar Class of 2001
Santiago, Chile
Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer Hinkle, USA
Olmsted Scholar Class of 2007
Beijing, China
Commander John Bradford, USN
Olmsted Scholar Class of 2002
Yogyakarta, Indonesia & Singapore
Mr. Joe McManus
Olmsted Foundation Sec/Treas & General Counsel
1976-2016
Colonel David Jones, USMC
Olmsted Scholar Class of 2000
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Colonel Rod Tanaka, USA
Olmsted Scholar Class of 1973
Tokyo, Japan
Colonel Dale VanDusen, USAF
Olmsted Scholar Class of 2001
Brussels, Belgium
Colonel Tom Donovan, USA
Olmsted Scholar Class of 1994
St. Petersburg, Russia
Colonel Angela Suplisson, USAF
Olmsted Scholar Class of 2001
Lyon, France
Lieutenant Colonel Will Melton, USMC
Olmsted Scholar Class of 1987
Paris, France