Past Recipients: Before 1980

From 1967 to 1972, Dr. Olsen led research efforts in betavoltaic and thermoelectric energy conversion as a Research Scientist at DWDL. He led a team in developing the Betacel, the first commercial betavoltaic nuclear battery for cardiac pacemakers.

For this ground-breaking work, the Tri-Cities of Washington State named Olsen the 1970 Tri-Citian of the year.^[Since then, Dr. Olsen has continued to be involved in betavoltaic battery development, which includes consulting activities with government agencies.

Neuman moved to Kennewick with his family in 1918 and attended Washington Street School and graduated Kennewick High in 1925. He became the first manager of the Port of Kennewick in 1955 and was the Tri-Citian of the Year in 1968. Neuman served on several boards, including the Boy Scouts Council, the Benton Franklin Counties Fair Board and the Washington Public Ports Association State Legislative Committee. He died in April 2005 at the age of 99.

The Tri-Citian of the Year award was originated by the Tri-City Herald to honor distinguished Tri-Citians for their contribution to “growth and development of the Tri-Cities”. The winner was selected by Tri-City Herald management and the first recipient of this award was Owen Hurd in 1962.