Robert Ansel Olson

Robert A. Olson, 94, passed away peacefully in his home on August 19, 2003. Robert, an only child, was born on August 31, 1908 in Lansing, Iowa. Growing up in a small town, his chief ambition was to enter the railroad business, but after high school he went to work as a clerk in a Chicago packing company. After two years in Chicago, he decided to enter the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, getting a college library job to support him financially. After finishing his Bachelor of Science in Commerce, he was offered a scholarship to attend the University of Iowa's Law School where he would receive the prestigious Order of the Coif. Later in 1937, he married Miss Ruth Bywater, a librarian he had met while working in the library at the University of Iowa. Following his graduation from Law School in 1935, Robert was engaged in the public utility industry. From 1935 to 1947, he was employed by The United Light and Power Company and The United Light and Railways Company public holding company systems, with headquarters in Chicago, primarily in legal and financial capacities. In 1947, he joined the Kansas City Power and Light Company, holding most of the executive positions: secretary, secretary-treasurer, and vice president until his appointment as president in May 1960 and later as chairman. Mr. Olson's real passion was Kansas City's industrial development. He served as a member of Kansas City Power & Light Company's Board of Directors, as a director of Employers Reinsurance Corporation, National Fidelity Life Insurance Company, Mid-American Truck Lines Inc., Edison Electric Institute, Missouri Valley Electric Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. He took part in an impressive array of civic duties as well in Kansas City, serving as a board member and/or officer of the Kansas City Industrial Foundation, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Committee, Kansas City Crime Commission, United Funds, American Royal Association, Starlight Theatre Association, Trinity Lutheran Hospital, University of Kansas City and Rockhurst College. He was also a past member of Mission Hills Country Club. Following his retirement from Kansas City Power and Light in 1973 and the death of Ruth Bywater Olson in 1979, he later married Thelma Woodbury Hunter in 1982. As a gentle-spoken and chivalric gentleman, Mr. Olson spent his later years following numerous sports teams, including the Chiefs and the Royals, read many books, and adapted to his new role as a grandfather. Mr. Olson was preceded in death by his wives, Ruth Olson and Thelma Woodbury Olson. "Bob" will be remembered and greatly missed by his stepchildren, Julianne Kohlmeyer and her husband, Robert; Marshall Dean and his wife, Jill; Vincent Dean and his wife, Cathy; Martin Hunter and Marganna Rice; Susan Kircher and her husband, Bill; Mary Folck and her husband, Scott; 16 stepgrandchildren; and devoted caregiver, Ester Richards. Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday, August 22, 2003, at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Stine & McClure Chapel, 3235 Gillham Plaza, Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will be from 2:00-3:00 p.m. The family requests no flowers and memorial contributions should be made to the University of Iowa. Mr. Olson will be buried with his beloved Ruth in Iowa City, Iowa at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 23, 2003. (Arrangements: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Stine & McClure Chapel, 3235 Gillham Plaza, Kansas City, MO 64109 (816) 931-7777)