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<p><em>Robert E. Olson</em> was lost with the rest of the crew of an EC-47 aircraft during a combat mission over Laos. Bob’s death epitomized the many references to “The good who die young.’’ At only 32 years of age he barely had the opportunity to begin to realize his potential or his many hopes and dreams. His family, friends, and classmates lost much on that day in February 1969. But we all remember so many special things about Bob and how his life touched ours, if only for such a relatively short time.</p>
<p>Bob was born 26 October 1936, the third son of Robert M. and Helen S. Olson in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As the youngest member of a closely-knit, middle-class Catholic family, Bob was reportedly his mother’s favorite and a near-perfect child. He also must have been your typical red-blooded American youth of the era, with his pet Irish Setter Mike and lots of close friends all involved in a multitude of activities from piano lessons to Boy Scouts and church or school commitments.</p>
<p>Despite a lack of any military tradition in the family, Bob gravitated early towards the soldier’s career. He attended Cretin High School in St. Paul, where he culminated an extremely active scholastic and extra-curricular life as a cadet colonel, commandant of the cadet corps, track drill team commander, sergeant at arms, editor of the school paper and member of the National Honor Society.</p>
<p>West Point must have seemed the obvious choice, particularly since he wanted to obtain his schooling on his own, without any financial burden failing on his family, he aggressively pursued and won an appointment to the Military Academy from Congressman Eugene McCarthy, entering with the Class of 1958 in July 1954. Following an easy couple of months in Beast Barracks, where he dazzled the upperclassmen. Bob settled into making a niche for himself in Company D of the Second Regiment-Delta Dos. If his class and company mates remember correctly, “Bouncing Bob” had a great four years at USMA, with academics never posing any real threat (or great interest).</p>
<p>He had lots of time for friends, fun, sports, and enjoying life in general. With what some have called “that Mona Lisa smile” always on his face, he performed assorted mischievous acts on roommates, upperclassmen, and even Tacs.</p>
<p>Evading honest labor or study by keeping continually involved in the Glee Club, Catholic Chapel Acolytes and choir and assorted other clubs. Bob also won renown as the company’s best boxer, handball player, and party pianist. By early yearling year Bob had also discovered his ‘‘OAO,” Mary Kay Lovold of the Twin Cities. During their two-and a-half-year courtship Mary Kay visited West Point several times, but remembers best the three June Weeks of 1956, 1957, and 1958. On the first she and Bob were pinned, the second engaged, and immediately after the third married.</p>
<p>Bob’s desire to fly made him an early and devout “Air Force file.’” Following graduation and their marriage on 21 June in Minneapolis, the new USAF lieutenant and his wife reported to Florida for the challenges of pilot training. Unfortunately, Bob washed out early in the program. Still pursuing his desire to fly, he opted for navigator school and excelled. Fin­ishing in the top of the class, he was selected to remain at James Connolly Air Force Base as an instructor. During their next three years in Texas. Mary Kay and Bob became the proud parents of Kris (1959), Kenneth (1960), and Mark (1961). They also established the standard for their partnership in the Air Force, with an active volunteer contribution to their unit, the base and the community.</p>
<p>Having made his mark as a superb instructor, Bob was singled out in 1962 by US Air Force Academy to join the Department of Navigation at Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition to his routine teaching duties, Bob gave lectures at the Academy’s planetarium, coached Little League, tutored cadets and worked toward a graduate degree. He received special recog­nition from the Army when he was presented the “Iron Mike” leadership award as the top graduate in Airborne School at Fort Benning. In between her time-consuming contributions to Church, schools, clubs, and the Academy, Mary Kay presented Bob with two young ladies, Kathleen (1963) and Marjorie (1965).</p>
<p>In the summer of 1966 Bob was picked to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He graduated with a master’s degree in Aero and Mechanical Engineering in 1968. He had also tested out while still a student, as a board engineer in the state of Ohio. The Southeast Asian conflict then was at its peak. Bob recognized his commitment to his country, and volunteered for a combat flying tour in Vietnam. Upon completion of EC-47 and other training. Bob left Mary Kay and the children in Minnesota and reported to the 362nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron at Pleiku Air Base, Republic of Vietnam in July 1968.</p>
<p>Between operational missions out of Pleiku, Bob got involved helping the local montagnyards with school and hospital construction and joined a squadron barbershop quartet.</p>
<p>On 5 February 1969, while flying an operational mission near Chavane, Laos. Bob’s aircraft was reported missing. His body was located and recovered in October 1969, and he was laid to rest along with the other members of his crew at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on 14 November 1969.</p>
<p>Robert E. Olson is survived by his wife Mary Kay, his five children, nine grandchildren and his two brothers, Captain Gerard R. Olson (USN Ret) and Thomas M. Olson.</p>
<p>During his short but distinguished career, Bob received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and several other awards.</p>
<p>Bob Olson was a special person whose memory has and will provide so much to those who called him husband, father, brother, classmate, and friend.</p>
<p>Shakespeare said it quite appropriately (I believe in Henry VIII) with:</p>
<p>“… He gave his honours to the world again<br />His blessed part to Heaven, and slept in peace<br />So may he rest; his faults lie gently on him.”</p>
<p><em>Burt Miller</em> <em>‘</em><em>58</em></p>
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