Frederick William "Bill" Olson

Frederick William Olson, known to most as Bill, was born during the depression on November 5, 1935, at Good Samaritan Hospital in the City of Angels (Los Angeles). Bill passed away on October 25, 2024, at Boone Ridge Assisted Living in Salem, Oregon, with his family at his bedside.

Bill grew up with his parents, grandmother, and younger sister Lois, in Los Angeles. He had many memories of his childhood, especially the post-war period, which greatly influenced his life. He loved playing outside as a child, and baseball became an early interest. His father took him to many Los Angeles Angels and the Hollywood Stars baseball games. He was good at baseball, but, as was common in those days, he did not participate in organized ball until his early teens. At Los Angeles High School he was recognized as a standout player in southern California. He received a scholarship to play at the University of Southern California (USC) for three seasons, and played summer baseball in small towns across the country, entertaining townsfolk and honing his skills. In the summer of 1955, Bill joined his USC teammates for three weeks on a U.S. Army-sponsored tour to Japan, Okinawa, Korea, and Hawaii, playing baseball and entertaining the troops. This experience would be one of the highlights of his life.

Bill was recognized as a first-team baseball All-American in 1957, the same year that he earned a Bachelor's in Business Administration from USC and then signed a contract to play with the Dodgers organization. During the off-season he sold used cars, including one (with free driving lessons) to a “Swiss miss,” his future wife of 46 years, Eva Widmer. He was drafted into the Army after his second summer of professional baseball. The newlyweds were stationed in Germany, which was convenient since Eva’s family lived in Switzerland. When Bill’s commanding officer learned of his baseball skills, he was commandeered to serve his country by playing baseball. So much for being a radio operator like his dad had been during WWI.

While in Germany, Eva and Bill welcomed their daughter Pamela. After his Army service, identical twin sons, Michael and David were born in Southern California. As the family grew, Bill returned to college, attending evening classes at Cal State Fullerton University, where he earned a Master's in Political Science. He worked in public service for much of his early career, including in human resources in Los Angeles County and land use planning in Orange County. He retired as the manager of the Orange County Environmental and Special Projects Division. Later he co-owned a small consulting firm that provided land use planning services. More than once the family household was transformed into an office where Bill worked long hours to complete projects, including a controversial environmental planning document for the expansion of the Orange County (John Wayne) Airport. He was especially proud of his work on a nationally recognized affordable housing program and advocating for seniors and people with disabilities.

Bill was a life member of the USC Alumni, and his family often joined him at home football games at the LA Coliseum. Their childhood memories included long walks through seedy neighborhoods from parking lots miles from the stadium, the smell of cigars, and walking alongside the marching band on campus.

As Bill wrote, “Music was always there, a soundtrack marking life’s milestones; first cowboy music, but then jazz and blues entered the picture and I was hooked, never to kick the habit.” He listened to live music at clubs and festivals throughout Southern California and ultimately the Pacific Northwest. Family drives often included sing-alongs. Attending the Oregon Coast Jazz Party in Newport, OR, became a family tradition each fall. These trips no doubt inspired all five of his grandchildren to play instruments (some in jazz bands), much to his delight.

Bill considered himself hip and dressed according to the times, especially in the early 1970s when he wore leisure suits and tie-dye shirts. He drove an Austen-Healy sports car and occasionally smoked a pipe just like his father. He encouraged his children to read the book Dress for Success as they prepared for careers. Even if Eva preferred a simpler approach, he took parenting seriously, reading how-to books while experimenting on his children.

He believed not everyone started from the same foundation and that it only made sense to help others who were less fortunate. He volunteered his time as president and as a board member for the Easter Seal Society in Orange County. After his son Michael’s ski accident, he became president of the Oregon Brain Injury Association. Later, he lobbied the Oregon State Legislature on behalf of NorthWest Senior and Disabilities Services. Bill was generous at heart, opening an Oregon Community Foundation family fund to encourage continued family giving. Bill was active in the First Salem Methodist Church, forming a men’s breakfast group that enjoyed lively discussions.

Bill often said what he treasured most was the love of family and friends. In 1995 Eva, Michael, and Bill moved from Orange, California, to Salem, Oregon to be near their growing family. On many Sunday outings, summer vacations, and ski trips, the Olson family was inspired to love the outdoors and the adventure of travel. In later years, Bill took each grandchild on a special trip to places like London, Boston, Alaska, Canada, and Greece.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Eva Olson (Widmer), his son Michael Olson, and his grandson Alec Dulude. He is survived by his sister Lois Sheen, his daughter Pamela Olson and husband Richard Dulude, his son David Olson and wife Linda Olson, his grandchildren Allison Dulude, and Jenessa, Richie, and Elliot Olson, and his extended family in Switzerland.

In reflecting upon life, Bill wrote “So what can I hope for? Perhaps that some of my better characteristics: openness, sincerity, and humor may leave a marker that someone may unconsciously model.” Bill was sincere and a man of integrity. He also wrote, “The accounting that matters most comes from the daily debits and credits of personal interaction providing a sort of continuous net worth calculation”.

A celebration of life service will be held Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 11:00am, at the First United Methodist Church, Micah Building, 680 State St., Salem, Oregon.

To make donations in Bill's name, please consider the following non-profit organizations:

Family Promise of Mid-Willamette Valley - serving families facing homelessness: https://familypromiseofthemidwillamettevalley-bloom.kindful.com/

Alec's Place - raising awareness of tick-borne illnesses: https://www.alecsplace.com/