Obit: Olson, Robert (1930 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Kasten, Koplin, Larson, Lavin, Mueller, Olson, Shattuck, Zade

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 1/02/2019

Olson, Robert “Bob” (4 MAY 1930 - 20 DEC 2018)

Robert “Bob” Olson of Burlington, Wash., passed away on Dec. 20, 2018. As per Bob’s request, there will be no viewing or formal services at this time. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.

Bob was born on May 4, 1930 to Gilbert and Anna (Larson) Olson of the town Little Black. After one year of college in La Crosse, Bob joined the Army where he discovered his love of cartography. He worked at the Ladish Company of Milwaukee for several years. He and his wife, Donna, who preceded him in death at a young age, 47, moved to Spokane, Wash. in the early 1960s. It is there where he pursued his love of map making with the United States Geological Survey (USGS). He loved his job with the USGS which allowed him to travel all over the Western United States.

He and his wife had three children, Barbara, who died as an infant, Curtis of Vancouver, Wash. and Craig (Pam) of Bend Ore. After Donna’s death, Bob married someone very near and dear to him in 1981, his late brother Gene’s widow, Marianne, who had six adult children, Vicki (John) Mueller of Eden, Kathy (Rod) Zade of Sisters, Ore., Susy Shattuck of Burlington, Wash., Jim (Lois) Olson of West Bend, Ron (Shawn) Olson of Aurora, Colo and Amy (Tom) Kasten of Slinger. He loved them all as if they were his own children.

Bob worked for the USGS for 32 years, retiring in 1992. In 1995, he and Marianne moved to Burlington, Wash. He loved gardening, reading and was an avid sports fan.

In addition to is first wife, Bob was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara; his parents, Gilbert and Anna; brothers, Galen, Gene, Grover, Dale and Carl; and sister, Ruth Koplin.

Bob is survived by his wife of 37 years, Marianne; his sons and all of his step-children and their spouses; 19 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He is also survived by his sister, Joanne Lavin of Medford and brother, Jerry Olson, both of Medford.

Bob’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and especially aides that provided his care at the Skagit Valley Hospital and Life Care Center in Sedro Wooley, Wash.