Robert "Bob" Olson

Robert H. "Bob" Olson, 90, of Hamilton passed away Saturday, July 31, 2021, at St. Patrick Hospital. He was born on March 13, 1931, in Victor, MT. He was the son of the late Henry C. and Sophia E. (Marek) Olson.

Bob was raised in Victor and attended school there. He graduated from Victor High School in 1949 and attended college in Dillon, MT. He graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in Education. He returned to Victor where he built a home near his parents' house. Bob was hired by the Corvallis School District as a teacher in 1953 and then was hired as the elementary principal in 1963.  He obtained his master’s degree from the University of Montana.  He married Jacqueline Roper, in 1971, and raised his family in Victor, until moving to Corvallis in 1988.  He spent thirty years at Corvallis School until he retired, in 1983. Following his career in education, Bob went to work for the US Postal Service and worked as a rural mail carrier for the next eight years.

In addition to his jobs, Bob was also a photographer for all of his adult life. He was rarely seen without a camera in his hand. He started taking pictures when he was in high school and transitioned into digital photography in his later years. He captured precious moments for many people over the years and filled our family albums with priceless memories.

Bob was also a lifelong musician. He began playing music with his family band when he was very young, paid his way through college playing in bands at local establishments and played at the local nursing homes and the Senior Center up until just a few weeks before his passing. Music was his passion and he played numerous instruments including guitar, piano, and accordion. If he was not playing an instrument, he was whistling a tune.

Bob was also an active community member. He served in the National Guard. He was a volunteer fireman and ambulance crewman while living in Victor. He continued as a volunteer fireman in Corvallis when he relocated there. Bob was also a Reserve Deputy with the Ravalli County Sheriff's Department and served as the captain of that program. He was the president of the Golden Age Club, in Hamilton, where he resided from 1997 until his death.

Bob is survived by his son, William Olson; his daughter, Camille Olson McCollum; two granddaughters, Cassidy and Carina McCollum; his sister, Lilly (Leland) Ross; and his dear friend, Kathy Garrod.

A memorial service will be held from 3-6 PM on Sunday, August 15, 2021, at the Golden Age Club in Hamilton (727 S. 5th St). Please join us in celebrating his life. Fellow musicians, please bring your instruments and fill the hall with music.  The family suggests that memorials be made to the future cancer center at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital.