I only met him once at Heidi and Jim's home.  He was definitely a memorable character.  So glad we got to meet him.  He and my husband Jim shared lots of memories of mutual acquaintances.
Truly a fun evening.  I know his presence will be missed terribly.
My heart and prayers go out to his family.
Minnie

We have so many very special memories of our friendship with Ken & Marilyn over the decades...from Tulsa to Fort Worth to California to Arizona & places in between. We know that friends and family are the most cherished things in life and Ken & Marilyn have been both to us. We will remember Ken always and hold Marilyn, Heidi and Karin close in our thoughts and prayers. We send so much love to all.

Growing up, I remember Uncle Ken as seeming bigger than life.  His presence could fill a room.  Later I came to appreciate his sharp intellect and humor.  The world seems a little smaller now.

Remembering our dear friend, Ken,  and Skol!

We will always remember the good times we shared in Las Vegas. Your wit, humor and good cheer are forever etched in many fond memories we keep. Your style was truly unique and your telling of your life's experiences matched a character that was second to none, influenced by a great career and a life well lived.

Our sincere sympathies and condolences to Marilyn, Heidi , Karin and the entire Anderson Family for the loss of Ken. He will be missed. God bless you all and may peace and comfort come to you knowing you are in the thoughts and prayers of many. Take solace in knowing Ken is in a better place, for that is certain.

Love,
Jim and Pennie Mead

I will always remember Uncle Ken as someone who loved life and lived it to its fullest.  According to Cicero, “The life of the dead is placed on the memories of the living. The love you gave in life keeps people alive beyond their time. Anyone who was given love will always live on in another's heart.” I am sorry that in the last few years Ken was losing his own memories, but those memories and his love are alive in each one of us.

As the unofficial family historian, we had been unable, until now,  to trace Ken's grandparents (and beyond). In tribute to Ken and in his memory, here are his lines back to Västra Götaland, Sweden (through his father Peter Emanuel Axelsson/Olsen), and to Rogaland, Norway (through his mother Anna Justine Rønneberg). https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/GWHF-XDS 

Skoal, Uncle Ken

Ken and I worked in engineering at American Airlines’ Maintenance and Engineering Center in Tulsa.  Ken was by far the youngest Director in the Engineering Department and easily held his own thru his technical prowess and winning personality.  Technically, he pioneered the development of a digital radar altimeter which was adopted by the AA Flight Department and made a standard part of AA 747 and DC-10 aircraft enhancing safety margins for landing.  Ken and Marilyn and their daughters were neighbors with the fortune of having a pasture over their back fence for a couple of horses.  Many stories came from that.  Rest well Ken.  

On June 8, 1974 a tornado ripped through the subdivision where Olsens and Pools lived.  Fortunately for Olsens, their damage was minimal, whereas the Pool's home was about 80% destroyed.  Much of the neighborhood was badly damaged, and all were on alert for looters.  Since we would need to rebuild, Larry purchased a storage building and put it on our lot to store salvageable items  securely. 
 A few days after the tornado,  Ken asked Larry if there was something he could do to help.  Larry told him it would be very helpful if he would go over to the house (what was left of it) and remove the garbage disposal for the rebuild.  So a few evenings later, Ken (all 6'4' or whatever he was) was sprawled on the kitchen floor with upper body under the sink,  when he heard a stern voice asking him what he was doing!  Looking up, he saw a guy about 5'7" holding a gun on him!  Turns out, it was another neighbor  protecting our property!  Ken quickly explained himself.  We all had a good laugh about it later!  Good neighbors.  That's Oklahoma!

The Olsens and Pools lived in the same sub division in Tulsa OK,  and Ken and Larry both worked at American Airlines.  Sometimes they shared rides to work.  Larry will never forget riding to work with Ken in his little VW which could just chug up Shadow Mountain Hill in the snow and leave other drivers slipping and sliding!

I will always remember Ken as full of life and fun to be around.  My husband Dick and I went on a couple of fabulous trips with  Marilyn and Ken . One was a cruise to Alaska and the other to England on our time share. When we were in England Ken had to drive, because he was the only one who was familiar in driving on the left side of the road,  because Marilyn and Ken lived in England for a while.
I will always miss Ken, I loved him as a brother, as I had no brothers of  my own. I pray I will see him again in heaven and my love and prayers go with him. 


OBITUARY

Kenneth B. Olsen

December 8, 1933 – June 29, 2020

Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center

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