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View a eulogy for Robert Leslie Olson, USMA '87, who passed away on February 12, 2001.

Robert Leslie Olson

West Point, 1987

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Dennis Yates on February 14, 2001:

I only learned of Rob's passing two hours ago...

...and in those two hours, in conversation after conversation with mutual friends, a recurring theme has surfaced:

Major Rob Olson was an extraordinary leader and soldier.

Of course, I already knew this, because I was the beneficiary of Rob's tuteledge as a young lieutenant several years ago in Hawaii.

Rob worked next door to me in 1-8 FA. I was the commander of the 25th FAD (Firefinder Radar). Rob had commanded a sister unit at Fort Campbell some years before.

Without having been asked to do so, Rob took me under his wing, coaching, mentoring, teaching...whenever I needed it.

He didn't have to...

...but he did. He was just that type of guy.

He always made the time.

He did it for everybody.

And to this day, I strive to emulate his example.

I cannot think of a more powerful compliment to bestow upon this officer, a fellow Redleg.

I am proud to have been his friend.

Dennis Yates
USMA 1989
Fort Knox, Kentucky

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