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David Olson Obituary
February 5, 1930 - April 14, 2023
David Martin Olson, 93 years old, of Greensboro, N.C. passed away on Friday, April 14, 2023 of cancer.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, June 30, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Well Spring Retirement Community in the Virginia Somerfield Sutton Theater.
David was born to Hans E. and E. Agnes Olson on February 5, 1930 in Westwood, Calif. He graduated from San Mateo High School, and the University of California, Berkeley, receiving his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1962.
In 1959, David married Ellen Boles Olson. They lived in California, Washington D.C., Texas, Georgia, and Greensboro, N.C.
David came to Greensboro to become the Head of the newly formed UNCG Department of Political Science in 1971. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 2000. He served on committees of the American Political Science Association, and was co-chair of the Research Committee of Legislative Specialists of the International Political Science Association 2000-2006. The Research Committees created the "David M. Olson Award for the Best IPSA World Congress paper on Parliaments by a Junior Scholar".
He received awards for teaching and research at UNCG. His books and articles centered on legislatures around the world and post-communist democracies.
David was awarded Fulbright grants for lecturing and research in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Slovenia, and often lectured in State Department programs in Europe and Africa.
David was a member of the League of Women Voters and the Civitan Club. He led local political debates and was a political commentator for local television and the "Greensboro News and Record."
He is survived by son Stephen H. Olson, daughter-in-law Susan L. Olson of Hudson, Mass. daughter Christine K. Olson and daughter-in-law Kerensa L. Wooten of Greensboro, N.C., and granddaughter Amy E. Olson and husband Rodolfo Ibarra, grandson Eric M. Olson, and two great grandchildren Amaya V. Ibarra Olson and Anthony M. Ibarra Olson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UNCG, the League of Women Voters, and the Well Spring Benevolence Fund.
Online guest register available at www.fobisanddick.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Olson
1 Entry
Margaret "Beth" LaLonde
June 15, 2023
A brilliant gentleman who I loved to listen to, but never had the privilege of taking one of his courses. What a marvelous life lived. May his loved ones and friends be comforted by fond memories. I like to think he is now chatting again with Lee Kinard.
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