Mr. Robert Olsen

Mr. Robert R. Olsen, age 79. Husband of the late June. Dear father of Russell (Barbara) and the late Tom and Don. Proud grandfather to Melissa and Tom. Dear Brother to Lorraine Konarske. Visitation Mon 3-8:00PM, funeral service Tues 11:00AM at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes (s. of 18 mi). Burial at White Chapel Cemetery.

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Mr. Robert Olsen who was indeed a born manager. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Robert was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Robert knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his community.

Robert was born on May 30, 1931 at home in Detroit, Michigan. His parents were Preston and Florence Olsen. Robert was raised in Detroit, Michigan. Even as a youngster, Robert learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Robert was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. Robert was raised with two siblings. He had an older brother Gorden and an older sister Lorraine. Robert had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Robert, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced.

Robert's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Robert enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. He was a member of Boy Scouts of America and played drums in band.

In school, Robert was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. He sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of his classes. He would eagerly complete his homework, and often put in extra study time when he felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Robert was always good at following directions and meeting his schedules, whether they were set by his teachers or were self-imposed. Robert’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

Robert was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. He enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Robert was a member of a group, his interaction worked to keep the others grounded. He wasn’t afraid to confront his friends and, when necessary, he challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Robert came to expect his high standards of performance. Later in life, he became friends with the Robenautt's, Schnurr's, Boyd's, Montaigne's, Patel's, Resche's, and Loukenbacher's.

An objective and conscientious individual, Robert reveled in the security of his family. On November 15, 1952 Robert exchanged wedding vows with June A. Hawkins at the Immanuel United Methodist Church of East Detroit, Michigan. One of Robert’s most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for his family and friends.

Robert was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Robert would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Robert was blessed with three sons, Russell, Thomas, and Donald. They were also blessed with two grandchildren, Melissa and Tom.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Robert was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Robert was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Robert upheld his standards. His primary occupation was a machinist. He was employed for 12 years by General Dynamics. Robert was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Robert was an Army veteran. His sense of duty helped lead him into the military where his understanding of rank, his willingness to abide by rules and regulations and his desire to follow orders was admired by his fellow service men and women. He was in the service from 1952 to 1954. Robert saw action for two years during the Korean War. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Sergeant.

Robert approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were playing pool, Euchre, square dancing, bowling, and camping. Robert was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Being generous with his time and energy, Robert liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. Throughout his later years, Robert was an active member of the Bruce Post-VFW.

A civic-minded person, Robert was usually ready to jump in and help with community activities. He was the type of person who could masterfully organize events and projects and then see to it that they were run in an efficient and timely manner. Robert was a member of several community groups, including serving on committees for the St. Clair Shores Players (helped build play sets). During these years, Robert applied his analytical intellect to problem solving and so was an asset on most committees.

Faith was important to Robert. He held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay he saw around him. For that reason he held deep spiritual beliefs that he was willing to share. He was a member Immanuel United Methodist Church for 59 years.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Robert used his scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that he made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Robert had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included Hawaii and a cruise.

When Robert’s retirement finally arrived in 1989, he was well prepared. He used his critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. In retirement, he found new pleasure in pool, cards, dominoes, Up North to Grayling, and caring for his wife. In many ways, Robert loved retirement. It provided him with the opportunity to catch up with his friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

Robert passed away on October 1, 2010 at Sunrise Assisted Living Center in Shelby Township, Michigan. He is survived by his son Russ (Barb); his grandchildren Melissa and Tom; and sister Lorraine. Services were held at Resurrection Funeral Home in Clinton Township, Michigan on October 5, 2010. Robert was laid to rest with military honors in White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, Michigan on October 5, 2010.

All who knew him would agree that Robert was a pillar of the community. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground. He had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Mr. Robert Olsen did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person.