Lt. Col. Robert A. Olson died on November 21, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on August 15, 1940 in Hartford, Connecticut to the late G. A. Olson and Helen Louise (Stuhlman) Olson.
As a small child, his parents moved from Hartford, Connecticut to the small town of Newington, just a few miles south of Hartford. He graduated from Newington High School in 1958. The following fall, he entered State Technical Institute, graduating with a two year degree in Mechanical Engineering. Soon after, Bob went to work for New Departure Company, a division of General Motors where he engaged in the testing of ball bearings for the automotive and aircraft industries. Wanting to further his education, Bob attended night classes and in the spring of 1963, he left New Departure Company, entering the University of Connecticut, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. While there, he met a girl, Alice Angeline Cotton, who would later become his wife. In his junior year the Vietnam War was escalating. Having less than stellar grades and approaching the age of 26, the Army "invited" (drafted) Bob to join their band of merry men. Not happy with being drafted, he soon learned basic training, which provided the discipline and direction that would carry him throughout his life. Often saying, that beside his wife, the Army was the best thing that ever happened to him. It was while on leave he married Alice, the love of his life, the girl he met in college four years earlier. They were married in Old Lyme, Connecticut on April 16, 1966.
Bob had an opportunity to become an officer and attend Engineering Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. He graduated in March 1967 as Second Lieutenant. While in OCS, Bob applied and was accepted for Army Flight Training. After OCS, he and his wife reported to the Army Primary Helicopter School in Mineral Wells, Texas. After Primary School, he was transferred to Advanced Flight Training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Upon graduating, he received orders to Vietnam.
Bob arrived in Saigon, Vietnam the night the North Vietnamese began their major campaign, the Tet Offensive. Days later, he arrived in the area of South Vietnam known as the Central Highlands and was attached to the First Squadron, 10th Cavalry, Fourth Division. There he spent his year of service as a Helicopter Platoon Leader receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and other honors. After Vietnam, he received orders for a two year tour of service in Tehran, Iran accompanied by his wife. There he flew in support of the Army Map Service, TOPO Training Team and the Iranian Army. Both he and his wife had fond memories of the people and places they visited and often talked of returning someday. While in Iran, Bob developed a passion for Geology, having the opportunity to fly to many mining locations and in the mountain range of northern Iran. In January of 1972, Bob left the Army and returned to the University of Connecticut to continue his education.
While at the University of Connecticut, Bob completed his Bachelor’s degree in Geology, making the dean's list each of his remaining semesters. After graduating, he attended graduate school at Boston College. In 1973, his first child, Robert Adam, was born. By the end of his studies at Boston College, the Saudi Oil Embargo had begun and Bob had no trouble finding employment as a Geophysicist with Texaco Oil Company in New Orleans, Louisiana. With three years’ experience, Bob and his family accepted a position in 1977 with Murphy Oil Corporation in El Dorado, Arkansas.
Working at Murphy Oil Corporation afforded Bob the opportunity to work many exploration areas including Alaska, the Atlantic East Coast, the North Sea, and the Onshore Gulf Coast. While working the Gulf Coast Area, he discovered West Texarkana Oil Field in Texas. In the summer of 1980, Murphy Oil sent Bob and his family to London, England to work in its overseas office. After returning from London, his second child, Tiffany Angeline, was born in December.
While at Murphy Oil, Bob reenlisted in the Army Reserves and in 1990, he and his reserve unit were sent to Saudi Arabia to participate in the first Persian Gulf War. Bob's assignment was Theater Ammunition Officer. He was in charge of inventory and distribution of all munitions entering the country. While in Saudi Arabia, Bob was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He retired from the Army in August of 1993, after 23 years of service.
In March 1992, Bob left Murphy Oil to work for himself as a consulting geologist and geophysicist, a position he held until his death. He loved working with his hands and by the time he was 15, he had completely rebuilt the engine and transmission of his first car, a 1940 Ford. While in high school and early years of college, he worked weekends and summers as a mechanic, machinist, and in construction. In later years, he loved tinkering around his home.
Bob leaves behind his loving and devoted wife, Alice Angeline, of 57 years; a son, Robert Adam and his wife, Ashley, of Conway, Arkansas; a daughter, Tiffany Angeline (Jon Talley) of El Dorado, AR.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in El Dorado at 2:00PM on Saturday, December 9, 2023, with Father Charles Chapman officiating and under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors. As a final tribute to Lt. Col. Robert A. Olson’s military service, there will be full military honors presented following the service. Interment will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
There will be a reception in the Parish Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Wounded Warriors Project- Donor Care Center, PO Box 758533, Topeka, Kansas 66875-8533 and America's Vet Dogs, 371 East Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, New York, 11787-29776.
Condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Olson family.
