High flying from the beginning

It wasn’t until adulthood that Bob Olson earned his pilot’s license. But that didn’t stop him from flying planes at a young age.

From the time he was 11, as a child living in Winnipeg, Canada, Olson built and flew radio controlled airplanes.

He spent hours in his garage constructing the model planes and studied books on military aircraft.

“His planes were everything,” said Costa Mesa resident Nancy Rohan, Olson’s daughter. “My interest in flying, and my sons’ interest, all comes from him. I don’t have a fear of flying because of him.”

Olson, a longtime resident of Newport Beach, died Nov. 19. He was 77.

Olson and his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Mitchell, married in 1956 and moved to Southern California a year later. He sold farm machinery in Winnipeg and worked for International Harvester Co. for 45 years as a truck fleet salesmen. The company has been renamed Navistar.

“He was a natural salesmen, a real outgoing guy,” said Karen Benedikt, Olson’s daughter. “He really worked hard.”

The family lived in Reseda and Arcadia before the Olsons moved to Newport Beach in 1971.

Wherever Bob Olson moved, he brought with him the collection of radio controlled model airplanes, some of which were as long as six feet.

Olson helped start one of the first Scale Squadron radio controlled airplane groups in Orange County. He competed in national flying competitions and tested out his planes at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

Though he never served in a war, Benedikt said her father was fascinated with military aircraft.

“That was his true love,” Benedikt said. “He always wanted to be a pilot. His second home was his hobby shop.”

When Olson received his pilot’s license, Benedikt said she was the first person to fly with him -- a short trip in a two-seater from what is now John Wayne Airport.

“I think he was sweating because he was nervous,” she said. “It was beautiful ... we flew over the ocean and around South County.”

Olson shared his love of building model airplanes with his grandsons, often taking them into the flying field.

“He was a great grandfather,” Benedikt said. “He went to all their soccer and baseball games. He was always the silent observer on the sidelines.”

Olson enjoyed reading history books and playing golf, his children said. After retiring more than 10 years ago, he took over as president of the California chapter of the Prader-Willi Syndrome Assn.

His daughter, Barbara Olson, suffers from the chromosomal disorder that affects about one in every 12,000 people.

Bob Olson promoted awareness of the genetic disorder and led fundraising efforts across the state.

“He was really involved in that,” Benedikt said. “He’s a natural leader and a good speaker.”

Bob Olson

Born: May 2, 1928

Died: Nov. 19, 2005

Services: Held for family and friends

Survived by: His wife Betty Olson; his sister, Evelyn Holman; his three daughters, Nancy Rohan, Karen Benedikt and Barbara Olson; and five grandchildren