Robert D. Olson

Robert D. Olson Sr.

Robert D. Olson Sr. was born January 7, 1934, to Alfred and Yetive Olson of Burton. He died June 30, 2007, in Centralia, Wash.

After graduating from Vashon High School, Olson served a tour of duty in the U.S. Army. When he returned to Vashon, he became a resident King County Deputy Sheriff from 1957 to 1963.

He moved to Alaska in 1963 and joined the Alaska state police. He was a state trooper until 1969, when he was appointed United States marshal for the district of Alaska. He served there until 1977.

In 1978, Olson became security inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration. When he retired from that post in 1991, he returned to Washington and accepted a post as manager of the Kelso-Longview Regional Airport. He worked there until 2004.

Olson is survived by his daughter Dana of Longview, Wash., his son Robert Jr. of Portland, Ore., and stepson Ron Martin of Mentone, Calif. Other survivors include his sisters Peggy Cory of Ronald, Wash., and Joyce Johnson of Cle Elum, Wash., and his brothers Ted of Vashon, and Clifford of Olympia. Olson’s grandchildren are Samantha, Tamara, David and Melissa, and his great grandson is Trenton.

At Olson’s request, there will be no services. Following cremation, his ashes will be taken to Alaska and scattered along the Yukon River.

Remembrances may be made to the Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association, of which Olson was a lifetime member.