Richard Oline

1930 - 2025

Richard Alan (Dick) Oline passed away in Durham, NC on September 12, 2025 at the age of 94, following a short illness. Dick was born December 14, 1930 in Davenport, Iowa, to Helen Louise Samuelson Oline and Bert Arthur Willard Oline. He attended Davenport High School and was a member of the 1947 Iowa state high school championship basketball team. He was a proud graduate of Northwestern University, class of 1952, and earned an MBA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Following service in the United States Army, Dick started his business career with the Bendix corporation in Kansas City where he met Jean, his wife of 67 years, and his three sons were born. His long career included positions in Taiwan, Japan and multiple locations in the Midwest with Bendix, Allied-Signal, and Honeywell before he and Jean retired to Durham, NC in 1998. He is survived by his wife B. Jean (Durham, NC), sons Richard Erik (Chicago, IL), Mark Alan and his wife Rebecca (Chicago, IL); David Kirk and his wife Kim Lockett (Ashland, OR); grandchildren Alice, Janey, Erik, Matt and Teddy; and his brother, Don (Chicago, IL).

Dick remained active to his last days, was an avid reader, lifelong learner, fan of geography and of all things Japanese, and loyal follower of Northwestern sports. His bright optimism and enjoyment of his grandchildren's achievements will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northwestern University Undergraduate Scholarship Fund.

We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Croasdaile Village in Durham, NC, whose steadfast and generous efforts added fulfillment to Dick's final years and provided comfort in his last days with us.