‘Community? and ‘family? are words being used to remember the life and impact of Robert Olsen, who died last week at age 58.
‘People will remember him for his love for the community, which was shown in all the things he was involved in,? according to his wife, Deanna.
He was involved in a lot of things, both in business and in civic service. A founding director of the Clarkston State Bank, he was also president of Planned Financial Services Inc.
Dawn Horner, president of Clarkston State Bank, said Olsen’s passion for the community led him to join a group of businessmen in founding the institution when NBD Bank moved out of the downtown building in 1998.
‘They felt very strongly that there should be a bank here,? she said, noting his continuing involvement on the board and various committees. ‘He was a very good referral source? for new accounts.
In addition to all that, ‘He was a great guy,? Horner said. ‘He touched a lot of people in a lot of different ways.?
Because he used his financial planning skills outside the job, community charities have been ensured a future. Olsen was instrumental in establishing the North Oakland SCAMP Funding Corporation, which has helped the summer camp program survive during the lean times of recent years.
Donna Clancy, executive director of SCAMP, said she did not know Olsen well, but was able to thank him for his help in setting up the endowment.
‘Because of him, we’ve been able to allow SCAMP to keep going,? Clancy said. ‘He showed us how to take advantage of that. We will remember him forever and ever.?
Olsen was also the first president of the Clarkston Foundation and was a recipient of the Clarkston Chamber Outstanding Business Person of the Year award.
With all his outside activities, his wife stressed that it was not the priority.
‘His business was real important to him, but his family was also important,? she said. ‘It was the most important thing.?
That was evidenced by his decision to move the entire family to Florida for the past two years ‘to focus on his family.?
‘He pretty much put his business on the back burner,? he said, ‘to live his priorities.?
Olsen had three kidney transplants, with the third donated by his sister. His wife said, however, that he did not want anyone to focus on his medical problems.
‘Nobody knew,? she said.
In addition to his wife, Olsen is survived by three children.
Clarkston SCAMP and the Clarkston Foundation have been identified as desired recipients for memorial gifts.