Robert E. Olson

Robert (Bob) E . Olson of Poulsbo died Oct. 4, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Spokane Aug. 12, 1928. His family later moved to South Colby. He graduated from South Kitsap High School in 1948. He followed his great love of the outdoors to Alaska where he worked on a gold mining dredge. He joined the Army and was stationed at Ladd Air Force base, working out of Six Mile.

Bob met Melissa Ross of Bremerton while they were both working in Fairbanks. They married in 1955. They established their first home in Fairbanks when Alaska was still a territory.

The Olson’s settled in Central Kitsap in 1961. He coached Kingston Junior Marksmen for more than 25 years.

In the early 1970s, Olson became one of the charter members integral to the Silverdale Dandy Lions.

Local business owners (Poplars Motel, Towne Centre Mall) since 1972, Olson and his wife were an integral part of Silverdale’s development.

Olson was a part of the first Silverdale Chamber of Commerce.

He is survived by his beloved family: wife Melissa, his children Rod (Val), Diane (Mike) Heesacker, Denise (Bryan) Johnson, and Bruce (Laura), his grandchildren Cassy, Jessie and Tanner Olson, Mitchell and Charlotte Heesacker, and Garret and Autumn Johnson, his sister, Charlotte Johnson of Hillsboro, Oregon, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Pete Ross, and is survived by his brother-in-law Ron Ross.

Services will be Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Silverdale Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to the Lions Eye Bank. NW Lions Foundation, 221 Yale Ave. N., Suite 450, Seattle WA 98109, or nlfoundation.org.