Robert 'Bob' James Olson

ROBERT "BOB" JAMES OLSON

Richland

Robert "Bob" James Olson age 71, of Richland, passed away Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at the VA Hospital in Iowa City.

Celebration of Life service will be at a later date with burial in the National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa.

Memorials may be made to the Richland Lions Club and mailed to Laura Olson, 105 West Division, Richland, IA 52585.

Bob was born May 22, 1948, in Sioux Falls, S.D., to Albert and Martha Jane (Pech) Olson. He married Laura Virginia Cooper on Dec. 17, 1967.

Bob graduated from Fairfield High School. After high school, he worked at the Ordinance Plant in West Burlington until he was drafted. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was wounded while serving in Vietnam. After the service, he started working for the DOT as a surveyor until he retired in 2010 with 36 years. Bob has lived in the Richland area since 1975. He was a member of the Richland American Legion, Richland Community Club, Richland Lions, three tractor clubs and served on the Richland City Council. Bob collected antique Ferguson tractors, coins, guns and knives. He was a sports fan with one of his favorite teams the Iowa Hawkeyes. Bob loved being outside pheasant and deer hunting.

He will be missed by his wife of 51 years, Laura Olson of Richland, Iowa; two children, Michelle Lea Hayden of Waller, Texas, and Nicholas Alain Olson of Houston, Texas; one granddaughter, Skylar (James Hunt Brinkley) Clark; three siblings, Richard (Betty) Olson of San Diego, Calif., Jane (Kalani) Graham of Redman, Wash., and Rhonda (John) Keller of Keosauqua, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Martha; and one sister, Carol Paxton.

Online condolences may be made to the family at behnerfh.com.