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Robert Albert Olson, September 10, 1935 to December 28, 2020

Bob Olson died peacefully at his home in Fort Pierce, Florida, after a short battle with cancer. 

Bob thoroughly enjoyed life and seemed to find humor in every situation.  He was confirmed in a Lutheran church in Minneapolis, Minnesota and attended Lakewood Park United Methodist Church in later life. 

He loved being a boat Captain, school bus driver, and a HAM radio operator; but most of all he loved spending time with his family.
Bob was born at Fort Snelling Army Hospital in Minneapolis on September 10, 1935.  He graduated from Chisago Lakes High School and served in the US Navy.  He married Kay Fuglie in 1961 and graduated from Dunwoody College of Technology with a degree in Welding.  While he worked in various industries in the 1960’s, sons Mark and Scott were born.

The family joined the Peace Corps and were sent to industrial colleges in Malaysia and Swaziland.  Upon returning to Minnesota, Bob became a Welding Instructor at Dunwoody.  After Mark joined the Air Force, Bob, Kay and Scott went to Honduras where Bob and Kay taught at a vocational school in Yoro.  Then Bob and Kay went to Zambia to work for Habitat for Humanity.  And they weren’t done yet!  Bob and Kay next went to Saudi Arabia as teachers before returning to Minnesota to own and operate an elder care home.

Bob had grown up on the Mississippi River building boats with his Dad, Albert.  He had worked as a “river rat” pushing barges up and down the river.  Later, whenever not traveling around the world, Bob also operated the stern wheel dinner boats in St. Paul, which he thoroughly enjoyed.  He also piloted eco-tour boats in Fort Pierce, Florida beginning in 2002 when he and Kay relocated to Florida to be near their sons.  They provided foster care to many children in their new home.

In Florida, Bob also returned to other interests from long-ago, including joining a HAM radio club and working as a part-time school bus driver where he enjoyed watching the students grow and mature.  He received a lifetime achievement award from the American Welding Society in 2017.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother Byron.  He is survived by his wife Kay, sons Mark (Steffany), Scott (Rhonda) and grandsons Jess, Lance and Bryce.  He is also survived by his sister Jodie (Don) McClure.

A celebration of life will be held at the Lakewood Park United Methodist Church in Fort Pierce January 9 at 1 p.m. with coffee and cake following the ceremony.  The service will be live-streamed via Facebook and YouTube (search for the name of the church).

A guest book is available to everyone at the Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lakewood Park United Methodist Church or to the student scholarship fund at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, MN.

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