Robert Bruce Olsgard

Robert Bruce Olsgard, age 68, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2017, after a valiant fight against lung cancer. Robert “Bob” was born April 29, 1949 in Sentinel, Oklahoma to Walden and Helen Olsgard. In 1954, he moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where his father opened a dental practice. Bob had a wonderful childhood that included numerous hunting dogs and adventures, always outside when possible. He had a love of nature and the outdoors. When he was older, he built and raced cars, another passion he had. He graduated from Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City in 1967 and enrolled in Cameron State College to pursue a degree in engineering. In 1968, during the Vietnam war, Bob was drafted and spent the next four years in active duty with the Navy, being the third generation to serve the Navy. During his four-year tour, Bob received the RVN Campaign Medal with Device, the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, and the Navy Achievement Medal. In the Navy, Bob obtained the level of BT2 and was in charge of the boiler room on the USS Knox, the lead ship of her class of destroyer escorts. In 1972, turning down an appointment to Annapolis upon his discharge from the Navy, Bob returned to Oklahoma City. There he met his future wife, Rita, who was in nursing school at University of Oklahoma. They married in 1973 and settled in Denver, Colorado, eventually making their home in Fort Collins, Colorado. Bob retired from the USPS in 2005 after 33 years of employment. He always maintained his love of hunting and being in the outdoors, having many stories to tell of his hunting trips, some epic. He could always be found outdoors during his waking hours with a cup of coffee in his hand, gardening, talking to neighbors, working on his latest invention, or spending time with his children and grandchildren. Bob had a big heart and never met a stranger, being the first to offer a helping hand if there ever was a need. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Susan. He is survived by his wife, Rita, his two daughters, Angela and Michelle (Nathan), and his four grandchildren, Michelle, Greyson, Michael, and Leif. His greatest joy was being able to meet all of his grandchildren before his passing. Bob’s final resting place is Fort Morgan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado. If anyone wishes to make a donation in his name, Bob was a lifetime supporter of the Disabled American Veterans.

Robert Bruce Olsgard

April 29, 1949 - October 8, 2017