Arthur W. Olson, II

Col. Arthur (Art) W. Olson II (USAF ret'd.), passed away on June 2, 2010 in Winchester, Va. Art lived a dedicated life-long commitment to U.S military service, flew twice the speed of sound and was very down-to-earth. Art's Air Force career included Little Rock AFB, Belgium, Spain, England, Germany, Korea and Pakistan. Born in Los Angeles on March 16, 1933, he was the son of Agnes Henrietta Tharp and Arthur Waldemar Olson. Art grew up in Mandan, ND and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Mandan High School in the Class of 1951. He earned a B.A. Political Science from Univ. of North Dakota in 1955, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He joined the U.S. Air Force in August 1955, enlisting in Mandan, N.D. and retired in 1983 as a Colonel after a distinguished 28-year military career, which included assignments at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Belgium; The Pentagon, The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan and SAC Headquarters. He was a navigator, co-pilot and then pilot. He flew 15 different aircrafts, including the B-47, F-102, B-58 Hustler and U-4. Art's affiliations included: Order of Daedalians, Elks, American Legion, Air Force Association. Col. Olson was a very active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Winchester, Va., where he researched and honored the military service of all current and past members of the historic, 200+ year old church. He was the oldest of five children. He is survived by Mariane Williams Olson, his wife (divorced); his children, Jeffrey (Jeff) Barron Clark Olson, Keith Stadden Clark Olson, Wrenetta Frances Williams, and Arthur (Art) W. Olson, III; and eight grandchildren. In celebration of his life, a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 11, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church of Winchester at 116 South Loudoun Avenue in Winchester, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations to the First Presbyterian Church would be greatly appreciated. Burial services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on October 4, 2010 at 1 p.m. Art will always be remembered for his dedication, service, story-telling and calling the Hogs.