Richard R. “Dick”
Olson, 90, of Galesburg, died at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2014
at Galesburg Cottage Hospital.
He was born October 15,
1924 in Galva the son of Amel and Myrtle (Tullgren) Olson. He
married Anna M. Tyler on May 15, 1946 in Winchester, Virginia. She
preceded him in death February 22, 1993.
He is survived by a son,
Daniel R. (and Shelley) Olson of Galesburg; a daughter, Rebecca E.
(and David) Buss of Golden, Illinois; three grandchildren, Elizabeth
(and Alex) Jordan, Joshua Buss, and Garrison Buss; and one great
granddaughter, Henrietta Jordan. In addition to his wife, Dick was
preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters.
Dick was raised and
educated in Galva, graduating from Galva High School in 1942. He was
drafted into the United States Army in March of 1943 and was with the
773rd Field
Artillery Battalion. Members of the 773rd
received five battle stars for their participation in the Normandy,
Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns.
After being discharged and marrying Anna, the couple moved to Galva
until coming to Galesburg in 1950. Dick worked as a towerman for the
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad from 1948 until retiring in
1984.
Besides his family, Dick’s
main passion in life was breeding, raising and racing homing pigeons.
His accomplishments included being the first person in the area to
have a pigeon fly 600 miles in one day, raising five champion
pigeons, winning over 100 first-place diplomas, and 33 average speed
combine diplomas.
Funeral will be 2 p.m.
Saturday, November 29, 2014 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg
Chapel. Rev. Lee Johnson will officiate. Military rites will be
accorded at the funeral home following the funeral service.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the chapel. Burial will be
in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Galesburg Pigeon
Club, Knox County Humane Society or The Smile Train Children’s
Charity. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
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