Robert James Olsen

Robert James Olsen Sr., a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on April 3rd, 2025, at the age of 88. Born on July 16, 1936, Robert's life was filled with adventure, love, and an unwavering commitment to his family.

Bobby-Jimmy, as he was known during his early years, graduated from high school in 1954 and enlisted in the Army on February 2, 1955. His service took him to Korea in 1960, where he learned engineering and also achieved a remarkable victory by pitching and winning the Eighth Army Fast Pitch World Series in 1961.

In 1962, Robert reached even greater heights by marrying his beloved wife. Together, they raised five children, the Fab 5. Family was everything to Pop, who skillfully balanced work and life to provide for his loved ones.

After Specialist-5 Olsen received an honorable discharge on September 4, 1964, he embarked on a career in engineering and IT, holding various positions with IBM, Hughes, and Raytheon. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to start a candle making side-business in 1972, along with other side ventures in the following years. Despite his busy schedule, he found time to impart life lessons and skills to his children, from the "Golden Rule" to masonry, construction, repairs and maintenance (remember righty-tighty and lefty-loosy), and even teaching songs like "On Top of Old Smokey" and "Tweedle Dee."

From 1974 to 1977, GS-15 Olsen undertook a semi-covert assignment in Iran, earning federal recognition for his surveillance work on the USSR's nuclear capabilities and the Apollo-Soyuz mission. He returned home once in 1976 for his father's funeral, sporting a Grizzly Adams look that startled a few.

Dad's innovative spirit was evident during the "Chicken Farm Days" from 1977 to 1982, where he applied his engineering skills to egg farming, creating colorful family memories and stories. After this "Green Acres" moment, Bob returned to Hughes Aircraft in 1982, contributing significantly to the Pershing Missile and Fire Finder Radar systems, which played a crucial role in ending the Cold War in 1989.

In 1994, dad's career took him and mom to Norway and Turkey, where he worked on missile defense systems, providing material for many more great stories. Soon after returning to the States, he retired to spend more time with his wife, often watching Korean soaps late into the night, despite not understanding a word—a testament to his love.

He cherished the moments with his growing family, celebrating all the births from his first grandson, Blaze, to his last grandchild, Ethan, and to his fifth great-grandchild, Isabelle, born in 2021. Family was everything for both mom and dad.

Despite slowing down, Robert's travels never ceased. He loved visiting family and attending his grandkids' sporting and extracurricular events. He visited his brother, Uncle Don, for the last time in 2018 and his sister, Aunt Donna, earlier this year.

On February 7, 2023, Robert became a widower, and on April 3, 2025, he reunited with his beloved wife in heaven, where they will spend eternity together.

He is survived by his Fab 5, thirteen grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Robert James Olsen's legacy lives on through us. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Rest well.