Robert E. "Bud" Olson born in Enumclaw in a house at 2010 Wells Street. He was the son of Elmer R. Olson and Mayme Grace Dieringer Olson. Elmer was born in Minnesota ca 1884-86 and died after 1930. Elmer & Mayme were married in King Co., Washington on 20 April 1908.
Robert "Bud" Olson attended the University of Washington where he roomed with future U.S. Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson, his life-long best friend with whom he toured China in 1983, and he also studied at Stanford University. In WWII he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Happy to return to Enumclaw, he & his wife Helen, a Virginian, recreated the horticulture beauty of her native state at their beautifully landscaped property on Boise Creek in the Cascade foothills near the main road into Mt. Rainier Park's north-western side. It was a house of fun & hospitality. Sadly, Helen preceded Bud in death after he cared for her tenderly in her final illness, an experience of growth that he said had mellowed him.
His Phi Beta Kappa key on the gold chain that crossed his waistcoat was testimony to Bud's love of history & learning. Friends often called Bud at his office for information instead of bothering to look it up. Bud's office was that of editor at the Enumclaw weekly newspaper, The Enumclaw Courier-Herald, which he managed as an iconic figure in the community. His desk faced out onto the town's main street, a reassuring visible presence in the little community. A longtime advisor to mayors and city council members. he also served as a director in what was for decades "the" town bank, First Nat'l Bank of Enumclaw, of which he was president at the time of his death. He was for 30 years a director of the region's Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, of Green River Community College in nearby Auburn, WA, and for many years of the Enumclaw public schools. He personally started Enumclaw's Helping Hand Fund to assist the needy and he worked with Helen in support of Camp Fire Girls on whose board they both served.
An ardent horse racing enthusiast, he was a member of the turf club at charming Longacres race course where during the racing season he could be found on most Thursday afternoons at "his table" scanning the Daily Racing Form. Some friends there knew him as "Bob" Olson.
On 17 September 1987 the City of Enumclaw held an open house to present their recently remodeled & enlarged City Hall which was on that day dedicated "In Memory of Robert "Bud" Olson." Bud was survived by his brother Paul D. Olson of Enumclaw, other family members, childhood friend Elinor Ulman (#105106838), & many other good friends including Una Waldron, Tom Poe, & long-time City Attorney Philip Biege (#70185692). To Bud's dismay a son had estranged himself; he (possibly) survived Bud as well.
Sometime before his death he had lung surgery saying to at least one friend, "They got it all," but then claimed a clean bill of health to others. That he had simply decided to avoid fuss & sympathy seemed likely as he gradually raised his office thermostat and begin to lose weight. He died at home. Funeral services were conducted in Enumclaw at the First Church of Christ Scientist. Officiants were Marjorie Worthington, Tom Poe, & Paul Olson, Jr.
Biographical note: A 1939 original slip-covered edition of Dorothy Canfield's "Seasoned Timber" from Bud's personal library has a printed bookplate inside the front cover that reads "E. Robert Olson, Jr." Unlikely this was Elmer's so I wondered if Bud began life as a junior and changed the form of his name at a later date. Subsequently I saw Elmer's middle name given as "Roscoe" so bookplate is a mystery.
Personal note: I cannot read the Sunday "Funnies" and see the cartoon "Shoe" without thinking of dear Bud. -AGP
Robert "Bud" Olson attended the University of Washington where he roomed with future U.S. Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson, his life-long best friend with whom he toured China in 1983, and he also studied at Stanford University. In WWII he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Happy to return to Enumclaw, he & his wife Helen, a Virginian, recreated the horticulture beauty of her native state at their beautifully landscaped property on Boise Creek in the Cascade foothills near the main road into Mt. Rainier Park's north-western side. It was a house of fun & hospitality. Sadly, Helen preceded Bud in death after he cared for her tenderly in her final illness, an experience of growth that he said had mellowed him.
His Phi Beta Kappa key on the gold chain that crossed his waistcoat was testimony to Bud's love of history & learning. Friends often called Bud at his office for information instead of bothering to look it up. Bud's office was that of editor at the Enumclaw weekly newspaper, The Enumclaw Courier-Herald, which he managed as an iconic figure in the community. His desk faced out onto the town's main street, a reassuring visible presence in the little community. A longtime advisor to mayors and city council members. he also served as a director in what was for decades "the" town bank, First Nat'l Bank of Enumclaw, of which he was president at the time of his death. He was for 30 years a director of the region's Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, of Green River Community College in nearby Auburn, WA, and for many years of the Enumclaw public schools. He personally started Enumclaw's Helping Hand Fund to assist the needy and he worked with Helen in support of Camp Fire Girls on whose board they both served.
An ardent horse racing enthusiast, he was a member of the turf club at charming Longacres race course where during the racing season he could be found on most Thursday afternoons at "his table" scanning the Daily Racing Form. Some friends there knew him as "Bob" Olson.
On 17 September 1987 the City of Enumclaw held an open house to present their recently remodeled & enlarged City Hall which was on that day dedicated "In Memory of Robert "Bud" Olson." Bud was survived by his brother Paul D. Olson of Enumclaw, other family members, childhood friend Elinor Ulman (#105106838), & many other good friends including Una Waldron, Tom Poe, & long-time City Attorney Philip Biege (#70185692). To Bud's dismay a son had estranged himself; he (possibly) survived Bud as well.
Sometime before his death he had lung surgery saying to at least one friend, "They got it all," but then claimed a clean bill of health to others. That he had simply decided to avoid fuss & sympathy seemed likely as he gradually raised his office thermostat and begin to lose weight. He died at home. Funeral services were conducted in Enumclaw at the First Church of Christ Scientist. Officiants were Marjorie Worthington, Tom Poe, & Paul Olson, Jr.
Biographical note: A 1939 original slip-covered edition of Dorothy Canfield's "Seasoned Timber" from Bud's personal library has a printed bookplate inside the front cover that reads "E. Robert Olson, Jr." Unlikely this was Elmer's so I wondered if Bud began life as a junior and changed the form of his name at a later date. Subsequently I saw Elmer's middle name given as "Roscoe" so bookplate is a mystery.
Personal note: I cannot read the Sunday "Funnies" and see the cartoon "Shoe" without thinking of dear Bud. -AGP
Robert E. "Bud" Olson born in Enumclaw in a house at 2010 Wells Street. He was the son of Elmer R. Olson and Mayme Grace Dieringer Olson. Elmer was born in Minnesota ca 1884-86 and died after 1930. Elmer & Mayme were married in King Co., Washington on 20 April 1908.
Robert "Bud" Olson attended the University of Washington where he roomed with future U.S. Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson, his life-long best friend with whom he toured China in 1983, and he also studied at Stanford University. In WWII he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Happy to return to Enumclaw, he & his wife Helen, a Virginian, recreated the horticulture beauty of her native state at their beautifully landscaped property on Boise Creek in the Cascade foothills near the main road into Mt. Rainier Park's north-western side. It was a house of fun & hospitality. Sadly, Helen preceded Bud in death after he cared for her tenderly in her final illness, an experience of growth that he said had mellowed him.
His Phi Beta Kappa key on the gold chain that crossed his waistcoat was testimony to Bud's love of history & learning. Friends often called Bud at his office for information instead of bothering to look it up. Bud's office was that of editor at the Enumclaw weekly newspaper, The Enumclaw Courier-Herald, which he managed as an iconic figure in the community. His desk faced out onto the town's main street, a reassuring visible presence in the little community. A longtime advisor to mayors and city council members. he also served as a director in what was for decades "the" town bank, First Nat'l Bank of Enumclaw, of which he was president at the time of his death. He was for 30 years a director of the region's Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, of Green River Community College in nearby Auburn, WA, and for many years of the Enumclaw public schools. He personally started Enumclaw's Helping Hand Fund to assist the needy and he worked with Helen in support of Camp Fire Girls on whose board they both served.
An ardent horse racing enthusiast, he was a member of the turf club at charming Longacres race course where during the racing season he could be found on most Thursday afternoons at "his table" scanning the Daily Racing Form. Some friends there knew him as "Bob" Olson.
On 17 September 1987 the City of Enumclaw held an open house to present their recently remodeled & enlarged City Hall which was on that day dedicated "In Memory of Robert "Bud" Olson." Bud was survived by his brother Paul D. Olson of Enumclaw, other family members, childhood friend Elinor Ulman (#105106838), & many other good friends including Una Waldron, Tom Poe, & long-time City Attorney Philip Biege (#70185692). To Bud's dismay a son had estranged himself; he (possibly) survived Bud as well.
Sometime before his death he had lung surgery saying to at least one friend, "They got it all," but then claimed a clean bill of health to others. That he had simply decided to avoid fuss & sympathy seemed likely as he gradually raised his office thermostat and begin to lose weight. He died at home. Funeral services were conducted in Enumclaw at the First Church of Christ Scientist. Officiants were Marjorie Worthington, Tom Poe, & Paul Olson, Jr.
Biographical note: A 1939 original slip-covered edition of Dorothy Canfield's "Seasoned Timber" from Bud's personal library has a printed bookplate inside the front cover that reads "E. Robert Olson, Jr." Unlikely this was Elmer's so I wondered if Bud began life as a junior and changed the form of his name at a later date. Subsequently I saw Elmer's middle name given as "Roscoe" so bookplate is a mystery.
Personal note: I cannot read the Sunday "Funnies" and see the cartoon "Shoe" without thinking of dear Bud. -AGP
Robert "Bud" Olson attended the University of Washington where he roomed with future U.S. Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson, his life-long best friend with whom he toured China in 1983, and he also studied at Stanford University. In WWII he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Happy to return to Enumclaw, he & his wife Helen, a Virginian, recreated the horticulture beauty of her native state at their beautifully landscaped property on Boise Creek in the Cascade foothills near the main road into Mt. Rainier Park's north-western side. It was a house of fun & hospitality. Sadly, Helen preceded Bud in death after he cared for her tenderly in her final illness, an experience of growth that he said had mellowed him.
His Phi Beta Kappa key on the gold chain that crossed his waistcoat was testimony to Bud's love of history & learning. Friends often called Bud at his office for information instead of bothering to look it up. Bud's office was that of editor at the Enumclaw weekly newspaper, The Enumclaw Courier-Herald, which he managed as an iconic figure in the community. His desk faced out onto the town's main street, a reassuring visible presence in the little community. A longtime advisor to mayors and city council members. he also served as a director in what was for decades "the" town bank, First Nat'l Bank of Enumclaw, of which he was president at the time of his death. He was for 30 years a director of the region's Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, of Green River Community College in nearby Auburn, WA, and for many years of the Enumclaw public schools. He personally started Enumclaw's Helping Hand Fund to assist the needy and he worked with Helen in support of Camp Fire Girls on whose board they both served.
An ardent horse racing enthusiast, he was a member of the turf club at charming Longacres race course where during the racing season he could be found on most Thursday afternoons at "his table" scanning the Daily Racing Form. Some friends there knew him as "Bob" Olson.
On 17 September 1987 the City of Enumclaw held an open house to present their recently remodeled & enlarged City Hall which was on that day dedicated "In Memory of Robert "Bud" Olson." Bud was survived by his brother Paul D. Olson of Enumclaw, other family members, childhood friend Elinor Ulman (#105106838), & many other good friends including Una Waldron, Tom Poe, & long-time City Attorney Philip Biege (#70185692). To Bud's dismay a son had estranged himself; he (possibly) survived Bud as well.
Sometime before his death he had lung surgery saying to at least one friend, "They got it all," but then claimed a clean bill of health to others. That he had simply decided to avoid fuss & sympathy seemed likely as he gradually raised his office thermostat and begin to lose weight. He died at home. Funeral services were conducted in Enumclaw at the First Church of Christ Scientist. Officiants were Marjorie Worthington, Tom Poe, & Paul Olson, Jr.
Biographical note: A 1939 original slip-covered edition of Dorothy Canfield's "Seasoned Timber" from Bud's personal library has a printed bookplate inside the front cover that reads "E. Robert Olson, Jr." Unlikely this was Elmer's so I wondered if Bud began life as a junior and changed the form of his name at a later date. Subsequently I saw Elmer's middle name given as "Roscoe" so bookplate is a mystery.
Personal note: I cannot read the Sunday "Funnies" and see the cartoon "Shoe" without thinking of dear Bud. -AGP
