Rob Olson

Ancestors

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Biography

Birth: Jun. 15, 1950 Death: Mar. 29, 2012

George Robert "Rob" Olson, Jr. June 15, 1950 - March 29, 2012

SALEM -Rob Olson died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack on March 29 at the age of 61. Rob was born in Eugene OR to G. Robert (Bob) Olson, Sr. and Mildred Alice (Billye) Morrow Olson. They lived in the Bethel District and he attended Fairfield Elementary and Cascade Jr. High.

In 1965 the family, which included his older sister Mary Kathryn, moved to San Ramon, CA for Bob's work with Southern Pacific RR. Rob graduated from San Ramon High School in 1968. He received his A.A. Degree from Chabot Jr. College in 1970, and in 1973 he graduated from Southern Oregon College with a B.S. in Business and Accounting, and a B.S. in Law Enforcement.

He began working as an auditor with the State of Oregon's Secretary of State Audits Division in August, 1973. Rob was proud of attaining status as a Certified Fraud Examiner and, after 30 years, retired in 2003. He made many friends during those 30 years, and continued to see a number of them after his retirement. Several times Rob was a member of the Audits Division's team for the Portland to Coast Relay Walk.

He met Judith (Judie) Shaffer Copple in 1988, and on May 9, 1992 they were married. It was an amazing partnership, full of love, fun, laughter, travel, and just being together. He was a truly wonderful husband.

Rob was an outdoorsman. He loved nothing more than loading up his backpack and hiking the many trails in Oregon with a mixed group of friends, family, and co-workers. His trail name was "Sure-Foot" due to his legendary lack of coordination. Some also called him "Safeway" because if something was needed, Rob had it in his pack. He had hoped to complete the Pacific Crest Trail from the Washington to California border, and he almost made it. He climbed mountains (Hood, Adams, St. Helens). And then, there was the memorable snow-caving experience! He made new friends at the West Salem Courthouse Athletic Club and actually looked forward to his five-day per week workouts. He was looking forward to sunny weather so he could resume Saturday morning bike rides with friends.

Rob was a caring person. He took care of his ailing father for many years, and never complained. He was a good friend and neighbor and he had the most wonderful smile. He loved visiting with people and just being with others. It took him forever to do the yard work because he would stop and visit with everyone who went by. He was always interested in a new experience. He collected train themed items, and he liked his Southern Comfort and Coke, or a glass of wine with Judie and friends. He also enjoyed camping trips in the RV with Judie and their two dogs, Buddy and Muffin. His yellow 2006 Mustang was his pride and joy—it never went out in inclement weather.

Rob is survived by his wife, Judie, and two sons from a previous marriage to Shasta Laurie-Michele Cheatham (Guthrie): Eric Olson (Sasha) lives in Georgia and Andrew Olson in Arizona. He is also survived by his step-daughter, Kelly Copple Dryden of Escondido, CA and two step-grandchildren. His extended family includes in-laws Thomas and Eileen Shaffer, William and Janet Shaffer and Allan Hathaway, as well as a niece and three nephews. Rob's sister, Kathy Hathaway, died just two months before he did. His parents, Billye and Bob, died in 2002 and 2011.

A celebration of Rob's life will be held Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at City View Funeral Home, 390 Hoyt St. S., Salem, OR.

Contributions in Rob's name can be made to Willamette Valley Humane Society, Marion Polk Food Share, or .

Published in StatesmanJournal on Apr. 8, 2012

Burial: Belcrest Memorial Park Salem Marion County Oregon, USA Plot: Mausoleum Rotunda GPS (lat/lon): 44.89795, -123.06588

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=173491363
• Marriage to Shasta: Washington, Marriage Records, 1854-2013, Certificate #B47311 / A50940
• Marriage to Judie: Oregon, Marriage Indexes, 1906-2009, Record #06131