Robert Mark Olson

Robert M. Olson Robert M. Olson, passed away Monday, March 30, 2009 at The Caring Place in Franklin, PA. He was a former resident of Crestview Drive, Franklin. He was born May 27, 1928 in Kramer, Jefferson County, PA to the late Arthur C. Olson and Helen Chilcott Olson. He married Ruth Gibson Olson on July 20, 1963. They had been married for 41 years at the time of her passing in 2005. He graduated from Sykesville High School in 1946 and was president of his class. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a BA in Pre-Law and Secondary Education in 1950 and an MA in Administration in 1956. Bob served in the US Army as a Special Agent in the US Army Counter Intelligence Corps during the Korean Conflict. He also served in the Franklin 409th Civil Affairs Army Reserves with the rank of Captain. Mr. Olson began his teaching career as a Government and History teacher in the Brookville, PA High School from 1950 until 1961. He served as President of the Executive Council of the Jefferson County Teachers' Association. He moved to Franklin, PA where he accepted a newly created position as Assistant High School Principal and retired in 1989 as a Government and Criminology teacher. He also taught GED evening classes for many years. He served as a councilman in Brookville, PA from 1958 until his resignation in 1961. In 1966 he was appointed to the Housing Authority of Franklin, PA to serve through 1972. He was elected to the Franklin City Council in 1976. He was an elected member of the city Government Study Commission which formulated the new city manager form of government. In 1984 he was elected to the position of Deputy Mayor. In 1985 he was elected Mayor of the City of Franklin, PA. During his term as mayor he was instrumental in the adoption of the city flag. During his many year of service to the city of Franklin, he proudly promoted and participated in many community events and campaigned to protect the historical structures in the city. He was a Past Commander of the American Legion Post 476, Franklin. Past member of the Elks Lodge 110, a Boy Scout Master, an Eagle Scout, and Past President of the AARP. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Franklin. He is survived by two daughters, Peggy Cooley and husband Brent of Frederick, MD and Patty Lankford and husband Jeff of Mechanicsville, VA, five grandchildren, Meagan, Shannon, and Carson Cooley and Britney and Adam Lankford, a sister Helen Jane Lundberg of Rockville, MD, a niece Linda Lundberg of CA, and a great nephew Max Lundberg. He is also survived by his brother in law, Glenn W. Means and nephew Glenn W. Means, Jr. of Franklin, along with several other sisters-in-law and brothers-in law. Also Bob leaves behind many wonderful friends including Tom and Esther King , Jim and Pat Sredinski and Art and Georgia Capozzi. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to First United Methodist Church of Franklin, Liberty Street. Friends and Family will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home Inc., Chestnut Street on Thursday, April 2, 2009 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral Services for Bob will be held on Friday, April 3 at 11:00 am at the Franklin First United Methodist Church. Interment will be at Franklin Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded by the local VETS Honor Guard. Arrangements are being handled by the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., Chestnut Street, Franklin, PA. Online condolences may be sent to info@gardinierfuneralhome.com.