Robert Lester Olsen

ROBERT "BOB" LESTER OLSEN Bob passed away Monday, January 11, 2016 at the age of 92. He was born in Ferndale, CA on October 31st, 1923. Bob was a joyful, hard working guy. He entered the Navy in November 1942, joining his three brothers in service as an aircraft mechanic in Alaska. His service earned him a WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Area Medal, and a good conduct medal. The luckiest card game of his life lead to a forty-two year love affair with Lois Zespy from Grand Forks, North Dakota. Lois and Bob had a life-long love for sports, never missing a game for his children and grandchildren and they traveled to San Francisco and Arizona for Spring Training to watch their beloved Giants. Lois passed away 1989 shortly after Bob retired from a forty-year career in construction. He turned his time into community service for Cemetery District, Fortuna Auto Expo, Ducks Unlimited, and Fortuna Rodeo Association (those infamous bleachers that suddenly appeared before the weeklong activities). He was thrilled to greet everyone at Dave's Shell and be the Grand Marshall of the 2012 Rodeo Parade. Even though a stroke in 2011 altered his life and memories, he was an eternal optimist. Wendy used to chide him on not getting enough sleep and he would say can't waste the precious day by sleeping it away. Plus he always had an early morning coffee date! He was preceded in death by his parents Bud and Irma Olsen, brothers and spouses, Melvin (Derna), Ray (Ann), Dale, Ivan (Donna), and most recently his dear sister Dona Mendes, from whom he had a special bond, dear friend Dave Ansley, and his wife Lois. He will be greatly missed by his daughter Wendy Wallace (Bo), Vicki Lovett, five grandchildren, Shelby Peterson (Andrew), Evan Lovett, Justin Wallace (Lyndi), Kyle Wallace (Jennifer), Kayla Brett (Kevin), and eight great-grandchildren, Owen, Chandler, Carson, Rylee, Bo, Jimmer, Kinley, and Whitney. A celebration of life will be held at Hydesville Community Church at 3:00 PM followed by an onsite potluck on Saturday, January 16th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fortuna Cemetery District in his honor. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com under obituaries.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Lester Olsen, please visit our floral store.