Andrzej W. Olbrot, 52, was born in Lisow, Poland. He received his bachelor's (1970), graduate (1973) and postgraduate (1977) degrees from the Technical University of Warsaw. He was also on its faculty in the department of automatic control there until 1987. In 1988 he was appointed to the electrical and computer engineering faculty at Wayne State University. He was appointed to a full professorship in 1992.

Professor Olbrot's expertise was in advanced computer control systems, including robust control time-delay systems. Most recently he was involved in a research project supported by the Ford Motor Co. that would apply his research to automotive computer systems.

Professor Olbrot, who made his home in Farmington Hills, was an internationally recognized expert in his field. "He was very highly respected on the international level," said Frank Westervelt, Chairman of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.

Professor Olbrot's work was recognized before he left Poland. It was because of this work that recruiters at Wayne State invited him to join the faculty, according to his colleagues.

Professor Olbrot was also a dedicated teacher who cared deeply for his students.

"He cared deeply about his students and worked hard to have them succeed," said Professor Westervelt.

He made arrangements for students with special needs to take separate final exams that took into account their disabilities. Thursday night, in fact, Professor Olbrothad arranged such an exam for one of his students with dyslexia.

Besides his work at the university, Professor Olbrot was an avid downhill skier, and traveled to Europe and Australia to tackle the slopes there.

The professor leaves two children.