Farewell to Richard Olson

[HighTechRedneck]

Matt Christian just let me know that a good bus nut friend has passed away.  Richard Olson was found at his home by his daughter on Saturday.  He passed as a result of ongoing health conditions.

I was blessed by getting to know Richard in person at the Arcadia and Choo Choo bus rallies.  For those who didn't know him by name, some may remember him as the guy giving out bags of binder clips at the rallies that he ended up with as a by product of a business of his.

Richard had a heart of gold and a big smile.  He was always williing to help other bus nuts any way he could.

On the forum his screen name was K234039. 

[robertglines1]

Richard had been here several times to visit and lived a lifestyle I envied. Was truly a bus nut and a fine fellow.    speechless and sad:   Bob & Judy

[roadrunnertex]

How sad,Years ago Richard came by my home in East Texas and he had strapped a P8M4905A rear engine door on the top of his pickup-camper.Richard had hauled it from New Mexico to my home for no charge.
He was a fine person and a real plus for our bus hobby.Sad to hear of his passing.
jlv

[uncle ned]

Met Richard at BK'S.  Great guy  will be missed by all who knew him.

uncle ned

[technomadia]

Thank you for passing along the news, Mike.  Very sad indeed.

I fondly remember Richard handing out those binder clips at the Choo Choo Rally - we use them all the time.

- Cherie

[Busted Knuckle]

So sad to hear.
Dick was a good friend. He drove out of his way & stopped by my place on his way to the Choo Choo Rally from Bob & Judy's.

He was truly a bus nut and as the front of his bus said a ROLLING STONE"
He will be missed by many.

Rest in peach my friend and keep on bus'n in heaven!
  BK 

[MattC]

Thanks for posting that thread Mike.  Today I again spoke to Richard's family and was told he actually passed away yesterday (Sunday) not Saturday as I told Mike.   

Services will be held Saturday Noon in Beaumont  at Claybar Funeral Home and Floral Shop. 1155 N. 11th Street Beaumont, Texas 77702. (409) 892-3456 Fax (409) 892-6477     

I'll be driving down Thursday from Middle Tennessee.

Richard was always ready to help in any way he could.  Grumpy old baxter on the outside, kind and friendly on the inside.  I had the luck to have traveled with him for a while.  He knew all the out of the way cool spots to visit.  He'd fearlessly take his old GM places that made me shudder. One Hell of a operator, three million commercial miles without an accident.  He drove that 4106 like he was hauling freight on a deadline.  Good God, he sure did love showing up new commercial buses on the open road. 

[FloridaCliff]

Sorry to hear of Richards passing.

My condolences to his family.

Does anyone have a picture of Richard to add to the thread?

Cliff

[johns4104s]

Richard was one of a kind and we will dearly miss him.

He never new a stranger, would help anyone. We would attend many rallies and around the corner came Richard in his bib and brace coveralls.

All the very best my friend.

[Dreamscape]

I had the pleasure of meeting him at several of the Texas Bus Roundup's. He always had a smile on his face! Here he is at one of our rallies.

Our condolences to the family! He will be missed!

[Cycletek]

Rest In Peace Richard!

[baker4106]

I met Richard several times as he was a member of Great Lakes Converted Coaches.   He attended several rallies held by GLCC.   Sorry to hear he has passed and condolenses to his family from GLCC.

[LUKE at US COACH]

A big loss for the converted coach community indeed.  I have known Richard for quite a few years and we always spent a lot of time together at the Arcadia meets.

R.I.P. my friend

LUKE at US COACH

[buswarrior]

Another busnut has made the turn, and is headed for home.

That's a journey in which a shift is never missed, the hills flatten out just before the shift to 1st is needed, the fuel tank is always full, and everyone else on the highway smiles too.

Savour the memories. Richard was a neat fellow.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[trucktramp]

I met Richard at the first GLCC rally at Turkeyville.  It was my first rally and I needed an extension cord to plug the bus in.  He was right there with one in hand.  I had never met the man before.  He was a credit to this hobby.  He will be greatly missed by all.  May your roads be dry, your hills small, and the winds at your back.  Godspeed my friend.