Posted by Eric kail on February 14, 2001:

Rob and I were truly as brothers; we thought alike, had the same priorities, the same joys, and much to some folks' dismay.....we looked and acted the same. My greatest frustration is that there no world-wide public address system I can get on, make everyone stop what they are doing, and ask them "Do you understand how incredible my friend was?" No words can really express how much I love and will miss Rob. We were virtually inseparable for three straight years. We shared the same cubicle in the TOEP program and we were adjacent TACs for E2 and G2 together. Nothing made our day more than seeing a cadet come up with a solution for what ever the leadership challenge of the day was. We knew that if we could get cadets excited about being in the Army and leading, shined shoes and neater rooms would follow....not the inverse. My favorite memories of Rob are with Holly. My wife Gigi and I shared one night a week with Rob and Holly, studying God's word and praying for each other, our cadets, and our children....right there at 501A in Old Brick. Below is what I said at his funeral service on 20 Feb in Big Falls, MN. One of his high school friends, Joe Treat, said Rob's funeral was the biggest event and the largest gathering of people in the history of Big Falls. Rob Olson was a brother to me; more than just a friend. Friends do extraordinary things for each other, but Rob, Holly, Britanny, and TJ, you are family to us. For you we go the whole distance, through thick and thin and get nothing less in return. Chances are good that if you've been stationed with the Olson's and have children, Holly Olson has delivered your babies. Holly, your beautiful face was the first thing my daughter ever saw, her life began with love and integrity at her very first touch from you and I'm awfully proud of that. Rob epitomized what the Army leadership means when they speak of mentorship. He taught me that good leaders could get others to do things they didn't think they could or didn't know needed to be done. He helped me be a better husband. Britanny and TJ, I learned as much about leadership from talking to your Dad on the way to the Gym every day as I did from classes or reading, the thing we talked about the most was Jake, Emma and the two of you. What I loved most about your Dad is that he met people where they were, but he loved them far too much to let them stay there. I'm a better father because of your Dad. Rob and I share a common definition of success. It lies not in your medal, badges, tabs or rank--you got those at the efforts of others. It's not in your efficiency reports...they are overinflated and only a piece of paper. And it's not in what your boss tells you...he'll probably just say you what you want to hear. Instead, find the measure of your success like Rob, in these three things-in the eyes of your soldiers; in the embrace of your wife; and in the hearts of your children.

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