Oswald (Oz) Thorson came to the firm in 1945, joining his father and INVISION’S founder, Thorwald Thorson. He attended Waldorf College and then went on to study architecture at the University of Minnesota. After graduating and serving in the Army, Oz returned home in 1945 to expand his father’s business with the opening of an additional office in Waterloo, Iowa.

Oz set the stage for a firm that put clients first. He described his work as ​“unorganized, but practiced for the client’s needs.” Oz logged over 3,000 hours flying the firm’s Cessna to better serve regional clients. Oz was also dedicated to the industry, holding leadership positions with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) at the state, regional, national and international level. He is remembered as a true professional who understood the value of mentorship and passing down key values for future architects.