Swede's Candle
Swede's Candle
On Wednesday, December 27th, David Vodden wrote:
Dear Friends,
Bill Olsen has advised that Swede's (William Olsen) funeral will be at 11am on Saturday December 30 at the Keaton's Redwood Chapel at 1801 Novato Blvd, Novato Calif.
Visitation is possible on Friday evening from 3 to 8 pm if desired. Bill and Stacey will host a very informal gathering at their home following the funeral. The telephone number for Bill and Stacey is 415 897-2906.
Please pass the word along to Swede's family of friends.
David
On Wednesday, December 27th, David Vodden wrote:
Dear Friends,
Bill Olsen called last night to advise that Swede Olsen passed away on December 24th. Swede, who was living with his son Bill, daughter-in-law Stacey and grandaughter Melanie, was 85 years old having celebrated that birthday on December 20th. Swede was born in New York in 1915 but lived in Lincoln Nebraska. He attained the rank of Lt. Colonel in the Air Force serving 24 years. He and his bride since 1945 - Mary, moved to California where Swede took up the job of appraiser in the Marin County Assessor's office. After flying B-17s in WWII, it was a natural that Swede would take the SCCA Driving school at the age of 62 so he and son Bill could campaign an H-Production Sprite in the Club competition. Mary was active with Fran Perry in the Social world and Swede, a project-oriented fellow, took on the task of the track racetrack project with great enthusiasm. "Dad believed strongly in the Club track project," commented son Bill. "It really gave him a boost to be involved and to see it actually come to fruition. He lived for the track project in his last few years of Club involvement," Bill said. Funeral arrangements are pending but look likely for this Saturday, December 30th.
Swede was a great guy. We had him at the house on a number of occassions and enjoyed going tothe Blue Gum in Willows where Swede would refine his Fred Astaire training. We have missed Swede as he had been under the weather this past year and we will miss him even more now that we have only the memories of his fiesty, red-headed determination and genuine affection for the SFR/SCCA experience. Please pass the word on to those we might not have access to and suggest they consider Saturday as a last opportunity to pay their respects to this very nice friend.
David
On Tuesday, December 26th, Gary Meeker wrote:
I just got word that Bill (Swede) Olson passed away on Christmas Eve at his home. He had been having assorted problems and had had another very recent hospital stay. One of several. Services timing is unknown.
Swede hasn't been around SFR events the last few years because of generally failing health. Many of you will remember him though working in Registration back when Linda Rogaski was Chief of Registration.
Usually he worked the Membership window. Swede went through SCCA Drivers School back in the mid to late 70's when he was 65 years old and ran an HP Sprite for several years. He and his late wife, Mary, were consistent supporters of Sears Point and contributed money and time, especially in the "Pave the Point" drive. And he was on the SRF New Track Committee during the land search and early planning and construction of Thunderhill.
Gary Meeker
Email the webteam to pass along your memories of
Swede. We'll do
our best to get it to his immediate family.