Raymond R. Olson

Raymond Reed Olson, 91 years old, resident of Saline, Michigan for the past year and longtime resident of South Bend, Indiana for more than 60 years, passed away on Friday, December 8th, 2023, with family by his side. Raymond was born on April 28th, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois and was orphaned immediately after birth. Through a strong faith in God and humble courage, Raymond achieved amazing things and led a remarkable life as a truly self-made man. After enlisting in the Marine Reserves in 1950 as a senior in high school, Raymond was called up to serve for duty in the Korean War with the First Battalion, First Marines, Company C from February 1951 to March 1952. After honorable discharge, he was introduced to the lovely Regina Kraemer by his Uncle Charlie. Raymond became Regina’s adoring husband for sixty-eight beautiful years on September 3rd, 1955. By funding his education with the GI Bill and working at Republic Steel, he earned Bachelors and Master of Science degrees in electrical engineering in 1956 and 1959, respectively, from the University of Illinois. Raymond started his career as an Aerospace Engineer at the Bendix Aerospace Division in Mishawaka, Indiana and earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering through evening classes at the University of Notre Dame in 1970. Despite never having had a nuclear family of his own, Ray became the most dedicated and wonderful husband and father to five children and provided unforgettable family experiences through numerous family car trips out West, game nights, and special birthday and holiday celebrations. Raymond was a sweet and caring man, a physical fitness nut, and an active church member and volunteer at Notre Dame’s Sacred Heart Parish. His hobbies included racquetball, camping, yardwork, international and domestic travel, auto and home repair, attending opera and classical music concerts with Regina, listening to the Prairie Home Companion radio show, and convulsing with laughter at the Sunday paper comics and during time spent with lifelong best friend, Jim Sullivan. He was a Boy Scout Leader, athletic booster club leader, and loyal blood donor, whose dedication to his children’s education, athletic events, and activities was unwavering. Ray retired from Bendix in 1998. This proud husband, father and grandfather will be missed for his faith, kindness, intellect, dash of stubbornness, integrity, steadfastness, laughter and resolute dedication to his wife and family. Ray is survived by his wife, Regina, five children: Terri (Steve), Ray (Mary Ellen), Karen (Mike), Jeanne, and Kevin (Mary), seven grandchildren: Karl, Sara, Daniel, Florentina, John, Megan, and Shaun, and one great-grandchild, Amaris. He is predeceased by his infant son, Ronald, and his brother, Donald. A Funeral Mass to celebrate Ray’s life will take place on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. in the Crypt Church of Sacred Heart Parish on the Campus of the University of Notre Dame, followed by a committal prayer service at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Notre Dame, IN. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Raymond’s memory to Geriatric and Palliative Medicine of the University of Michigan Hospital at: Palliative Care Gift Fund – 313228 – Michigan Giving (umich.edu) or to the Red Cross. To leave a memory you have of Raymond or to sign his guestbook, please visit www.rbfhsaline.com.

Tributes

Raymond R. Olson

April 28, 1932 - December 8, 2023