Posted by Heidecker, Steven P on February 14, 2001:

Enclosed are the notes I used for today's 2-11 Field Artillery Memorial Service. Rob was a tremendous S-3 and I was honored to be given the opportunity to provide the comrade's tribute. It occurs to me as we're sitting here paying tribute to Rob, he's up there watching us, chuckling about about our efforts to put together a worthy memorial. Knowing full well that his assistant, CPT Tuemler, would do the right thing and guide us through our emotions to successfully get the job done. After all, Rob trained him. That has always been Rob's greatest strength as a leader - inspiring and teaching others to do the right thing for the good of the Army - all while managing to balance family life and spiritual life. I first met Rob when he was Rob-O, Cadet Olson, the struggling hockey player from Minnesota, trying to make the traveling team. Few of our West Point classmates made it through the first year without meeting Rob, he seemed to be everywhere, all the time - .except of course the cadet library. Rob is aptly described in our yearbook as "Always willing to make a new friend." Clearly the best friend he made there was the one he married, Holly Hagen. After graduation, Rob set out for the 101st Air Assault, proving himself in the tough jobs of a field artillery officer; Company fire support officer, and battery executive officer. His contributions during Desert Storm earned him the Bronze Star and the respect of his peers and subordinates alike. This was early recognition of what we know today - Rob was special. Hawaii was next for the Olson family and Rob continued to hone his professional skills here in paradise under the watchful eye, 1SG Tommy Williams, now 3-7's CSM. CSM Williams recalls Rob success as a teambuilder in the unit. Always including soldiers and families in their winning team. About the only thing Rob needed improvement on was his golf game- no woods- only irons from the T-box. That was Rob. I next served with Rob at West Point where we laughed at the irony of being Company Tactical Officers. Both a little older, a little balder, and a lot wiser to the ways of cadet life. Rob shared a leadership style passed on by some great mentors. He taught cadets that while it was important to succeed in the bosses's eyes, it was just as important to be judged a success by his soldiers and NCOs. After a year at Fort Leavenworth, the Olson Family returned to Hawaii and re-joined the 25th Divarty. Here, for too brief a time, Rob continued to mentor officers and soldiers, teaching us to be professional leaders, to be team players, yet to also focus on the importance of family life. In his own biography, Rob puts life and work into perspective and we would do well to consider his words. He said, and I am quoting directly from his bio "I have always had awesome assignments in the Army and truly love my profession. I can honestly say that I can think of no other line of work that would give me so much satisfaction and sense of accomplishment. I have grown to love the Army life more everyday. The Army may be my chosen profession, but my God and my family define my life. Holly is a truly amazing wife, mother, doctor, officer, and Christian. My two children are equally wonderful. Brittany and TJ are both the greatest gifts that God has ever bestowed upon the Olson family." PAUSE Rob has left us with many gifts that will forever impact this unit and our extended Army family: He demonstrated selfless service daily... He exemplified inspirational leadership... And most importantly, he balanced the requirements of a loving family, a faithful God, and a demanding profession. Holly, Brittany, and TJ, thank you for sharing your husband and father with us, and we in turn, as Soldiers, will do our best to carry forward, with all he has taught us. I know God has a place for Rob, where he can continue to contribute. We will miss his humor and broad smile, but his memory will never leave us So long Rob, thanks.

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