Richard Olson

A private family gathering to celebrate the life of Swede Olson was held on Friday, November 29th at Fort Diablo Supper Club in Glenrock, WY, which had been a favorite dining spot of his for the last 50 years. Swede passed away on Monday, November 25, 2013 with his daughter by his side after suffering a stroke in October. Internment has taken place at the Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery in Evansville, WY. To honor his love of dogs, donations can be made to the Casper Humane Society.

Swede was born and raised in Chanute, KS. Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving until the end of World War II. Because of his love of hunting and fishing, and with his new bride in tow, he moved to Wyoming to attend the University of Wyoming in Laramie, graduating with a degree in Architectural Engineering. Upon graduation from the University, they moved to Casper where he worked for the Bureau of Reclamation, helping to design and construct the new Pathfinder Dam spillway and walkway.

In the mid 1950's, he went to work for J. Jones Contractor. He worked with Jim Jones for the next 50 years, both as an Estimator Engineer in the construction office and, upon its closing, as Operating Manager for Mr. Jones' senior apartment projects in Casper, Lander, Buffalo, and Rawlins. He took great pride in the many construction projects that they built during that time and loved to drive by these projects with his family telling them "I built that!".

Alongside Mr. Jones, he helped to organize the Casper Troopers, becoming their first bugle instructor. He remained an avid Trooper fan, rarely missing a local performance or competition.

At the age of 15 in the beginning of the Big Band era, Swede starting playing a trumpet in a local dance band, living with other band members in the summers and traveling a multi-state area. With a full head of red hair, he got his nickname "Swede" during that time only because there was another band member nicknamed "Red". 70 years later, he was still called "Swede" by all his family & friends.

Swede is survived by two children, Murray Olson of San Marcos, CA and Dee Anne Parker of Casper, three grandsons, Todd, Matt, and Russ Parker, and three great-grandkids, Kaitlynn, Kolby, and Barrett Parker. He is also survived by his Friday coffee break partner, Frank Doyle.

Swede was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Corinne Olson, his boss and longtime friend, Jim Jones, and his hunting buddies, Dave and Carl Hawks, who we are positive met him in the great beyond with a rifle and orange vest in hand!