Francis (Frank) W. Olson, age 93, passed away Friday January 10, 2014 in Johnson City, NY after a short illness. Rome, He was predeceased by his loving wife Alma, his partner in life for 55 years, three brothers Elven, Orville, Sydney and three sisters Elinor, Eleanore and Lorraine, and his beloved son-in-law Chris Neiley; survived by three daughters Suzanne (Eugene) Schultz, East Greenbush, NY, Janet (Cliff) Theve, Block Island, RI and Nancy Neiley, Rome, NY; one son Richard Olson, Troy, NY; four grandchildren, Heather Olson, Thomas (Patty) Olson, Nicholas (Francesca) Neiley and Katrina Neiley; brother Maynard (Birdell)Olson, Underwood MN and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Frank was born in Havana, North Dakota on July 5, 1920. After graduating from the University of North Dakota in 1943, he moved East to pursue his love of engineering. He worked at RCA’s Flight Laboratory at Wing’s Field in Pa, was an active naval officer in the Navy for two years and worked for five years at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington D.C. He met the love of his life there and married her on July 19, 1947. He moved to Endicott in 1951 to accept an electrical engineering position from which he retired after 33 years of employment. He worked with the Boy Scouts, Troop 203 and local district, for many years. He was a member Toastmasters International, both the Owego and Endicott clubs, and participated in many speech contests. He won many awards for his speeches at local and district levels. During retirement he presented slide shows for local community organizations and Nursing Homes on Hot Air Ballooning and also with his wife on her Rug Hooking pursuits. He was a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and served on the Advisory Board for several years. He also volunteered with AARP to help Senior Citizens prepare their income tax returns. He had a curiosity for life and desire for learning that never diminished. He wrote several articles on various subjects, including Wind Power. He became a published author at 93 years old when his article on Threshing appeared in the Farm and Ranch Living magazine in June/July 2013. He loved 60 Minutes and the late Andy Rooney and Lawrence Welk and polkas. He took great pride in his wife’s artistic talents as a rug hooker and floral arranger in the Garden Club, his four children and especially his four grandchildren. He will be remembered for his witty sense of humor, his perpetual optimism, and his generosity and kindness to all.
Funeral and Interment Services will be held Tuesday at 11 am at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, with the Reverend Dr. Larry Hendricks officiating. Interment will be in Newton Cemetery, Clarks Summit, PA at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Tuesday from 10 am until the service time at 11 am. Expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association or to a charity of one’s choice.