Olga Rychen Dunbar peacefully departed from this life on May 11, 2020 at the age of 99. She was born November 5, 1920 to Swiss parents, Olga Schild Rychen and Emil Rychen, and lived throughout her life in Nashville, Tennessee. Her siblings included 1 sister and 4 brothers who lived and worked on their family dairy farm, Beck Springs Dairy, for many years, now the location of Nashville International Airport.
Olga graduated from Donelson High School as Salutatorian in 1938, and later from Draughn’s Business College. After her formal education, she worked with Dunn and Bradstreet as a Research Analyst, and during World War II years, at Vultee Aircraft in the Chief Engineer’s office. She met her future husband there, an aircraft tool and design engineer, and they married in 1943. Together, they had two children born during 1946 and 1949. Her husband, George William Dunbar, died in 1999.
Olga’s family and friends were a closely connected group of Swiss immigrant families who settled in Tennessee. From a very early age, Olga was a member of The First Reformed Church, founded by a number of Swiss families and relatives. As the church membership grew, they later became the First United Church where she remained an active member throughout her life; and had many roles including membership with the church choir, a tenure for 17 years as editor of the Church monthly newsletter; and she was elected as the Church’s first woman Elder.
Olga was very active in a variety of civic affairs including the Woman’s Club of Nashville where she was a life member, and served as President. She was a life member of Fannie Battle Social Workers, a past President of Cumberland Heights Friends, and served as a Director of the Swiss Society of Nashville, one of the oldest in the United States. She served on the Board of the Nashville Republican Woman’s Club, and received their “Woman of the Year” award during 1996. Olga was a Commissioner on the Davidson County Election Commission for a six-year term, and for many years served as a docent at the Tennessee Executive Residence, home of the State Governor and family.
Olga was the last surviving sibling of her immediate family, and is survived by two living children: her son—George W. Dunbar, Jr. (Betsy) who reside in Franklin, TN, and her daughter—Betty Jane Dunbar Hines from Pearl, MS, also 3 grandchildren, Gretchen Dunbar Sosbee (Joshua), Susan Dunbar Robinson (Brett), and Marc Wilson Hines (Daniela), 6 great grandchildren, Benjamin Sosbee, Brayden and Barrett Robinson, and Samuel, Thomas and Edward Hines.
The family would like to personally acknowledge Olga’s long-time family physician, Dr Henry Harrell. Special thanks go to the management, medical, and support staff from NHC Place at The Trace, and to her wonderful Visiting Angels -- Marilyn Udah, Angela Avant, and Dora King for their long-term devotion to our Mother’s care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Olga’s memory to:
Christian Legacy Foundation, P.O. Box 58151, Nashville, TN 37205, Attn: Dr. Stephen K. Cottingham.
There will be a private family service observing CDC and local medical directives, held at Mount Olivet Cemetery Funeral Home, Nashville, TN on May 16, 2020.
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