Erik H. Olsen

1932 - 2017

Erik H. Olsen

Hyde Park-Erik H. Olsen died peacefully at his home on Thursday, December 21, 2017 due to complications from ALS.


Born on May 31, 1932 in Omaha, Nebraska, he was the son of C. Arild and Elise (Hermansen) Olsen. His early years were spent living in Des Moines, Iowa; Lincoln, Nebraska; Cincinnati, Ohio and Washington, D.C., but summers were always spent with his Danish farming family in the place of his heart, Hay Springs, Nebraska.

The beginnings of his interest in U.S. History was fostered by the proximity of the Lakota people to his family home, and took further root when the family moved to Germany after World War II, where he attended schools in Berlin, Nurnberg, and graduating from Frankfurt American High School.

After high school, he worked for the State Department and traveled extensively throughout Europe. He attended Worchester College in Ohio and joined the Army during the Korean Era. He was stationed in the Territory of Alaska where he served as company clerk.

He continued his formal education at Fort Hayes University in Kansas where his sister Lois' husband, Al Dunavan was his gymnastics coach and with whom he shared a spirit of adventure. He was "Uncle Ole" to Lois and Al's children.

He spent time living in New York City and traveling before getting his master's degree at Springfield College. It was while attending Springfield that he fell in love with downhill skiing, eventually moving to Vermont to get his teaching license at UVM. He taught school in South Stratford, VT and the Mathison School in Barre, VT before finding his home at Peoples Academy in Morrisville, VT where he taught U.S. History for almost 30 years. He took great pride in P.A., kept the statistics at home basketball games and kept the time for home soccer games.

On June 17, 1968, he married the Home Economics teacher from "rival school", LUHS, Carol Gray, of Charlestown, NH. They settled at their home in Hyde Park, VT shortly after, where he was the best Dad ever to their four children. They were married for almost 50 years. His six granddaughters brought him great joy and were the apples of his eye.

Erik loved being part of the Gray family as one of the "outlaws" and was affectionately known as "Uncle Murph". His playful nature fit in perfectly with the big, loving family.

Erik was known for his sense of humor, his abilities as a story teller and for the interest in and personal connections he made with the many people in his life. He had a way of making everyone feel like they were his favorite, and that they were the most important person in the room. He never forgot a friend, including his former students.

He was predeceased by his parents, C. Arild Olsen and Elise (Hermansen) Olsen, his sister, Lois Dunavan and brother-in-law, Al Dunavan, brother-in-law (and fellow "outlaw"), Gary Kerozicky and sister-in-law, Jane (Gray) Grover.

Eric leaves his wife, Carol G. Olsen; His children, Elise Olsen and husband, Joshua Carlson; Amy Olsen and husband, David Masi; Marie Olsen and husband, Martin Thoeni and Thomas Olsen; his loving granddaughters, Janey, Laura, Sofie, Weslie, Drew and Hilde, who he adored; and many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

A Celebration of Life and Sharing of Stories will be held Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Peoples Academy auditorium. Faith Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences may be made by visiting faithfh.net.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lamoille Area Cancer Network (LACN), 198 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, VT 05661.