Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Robert Charles Olson, MD, 83, a resident of Davenport (formerly Negaunee, Mich.; Milwaukee, Wis; Green Bay, Wis; and Menominee, Mich.) were held Dec. 21, 2010, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church,1506 Brown Street, Bettendorf, Iowa.
Dr. Olson passed away Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, surrounded by his family at his residence in Davenport.
He was born on Dec. 7, 1927 in Crosby, Minn., the son of the late Frederick and Florence (Guimond) Olson. He was united in marriage to Patricia Regan on Dec. 26, 1951 in Negaunee, Michigan. She preceded him in death on May 8, 2009. They had been blessed with over 57 years of marriage.
Robert was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy. Following his medical training at Marquette University (Milwaukee, Wis.) he entered into general practice in Menominee, Mich.; where he also served as president of the Chamber of Commerce. He later returned to Marquette University to specialize in Radiology. He relocated to Davenport where he was a partner in the Radiology Group, and had been an active member of the Scott County Medical Society.
Dr. Bob’s passions included teaching/mentoring University of Iowa Family Practice Residents resulting in lifelong friendships with many physicians, including his honorary children, Francis Kane, MD and his wife, Stacy, (Bettendorf, Iowa) and Steven Weise, MD (Albert Lea, Minn.). He was also enthusiastic about schooling the “kids” in racquetball and played daily at the Downtown Y for many years.
Travel with his beloved wife Patricia was chronicled in many of his own photographs. He often traveled to Canada to conduct genealogical research that culminated in his book entitled “The Saga of Louis Guimont.”
Robert was an active member of the former St. Joseph Parish and Holy Trinity Mission School (now known as Marquette Academy). He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. He also was a member of Marquette University’s President’s Club and a Zeit Fellow for the Medical College of Wisconsin
He is survived by his children Margaret “Peg” (Kate Petrie) Olson of Dedham, ME, Jane Olson of East Lansing, MI, and Stephen (Bev) Olson of Franklin, WI; grandchildren John Fitzgibbon III, Marianne (Corey) McGee, Jamie Piskura, Brian, Elizabeth, and Patricia Thornton; and four great-grandchildren; sister Nancy (Robert) Smith of McFarland, WI; brother Frederick (Sharon) Olson of Minneapolis, MN.
In addition to his wife Patricia (Regan); an infant son Patrick, and a daughter Mary (Olson) Thornton, 1991, and a brother, Craig Olson, also preceded him in death.
The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Heartland Hospice (Velvet, Lynn, Missy, Cindy and others), Guardian Family Services (Mae and Bobbie) and Bickford Cottage Staff (Travis, Rodney, Bianca, Barb and Niki) for their kindness, love and care.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in his honor to Heartland Hospice.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Robert’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
