Olin Family Society

I am saddened to have learned, over the last several days, of the passing of two OLIN cousins.

Gilbert OLIN (John-Henry-Henry-Anthony-David-Philo-Wallace-Gilbert) died on Thursday, June 17, at the age of 83. Long a leader of the Coulee City reunion in Washington state, Gilbert was also involved in the early days of the Olin Family Society. In October 1994, he and his wife, Dolores, attended a meeting with other OFS organizers at my father's home in Harpursville, New York. One of the items on the agenda was selecting a location for a North American "Super Reunion". Gilbert and Dolores suggested holding it in Fargo, North Dakota, in part because of its location near the center of the continent and in part because of an organizing dynamo who lived there, Gilbert's niece Kay Johnson. As many of you know, Gilbert and Dolores, Kay and others in their branch of the family went on to host a highly successful reunion in 1996, setting the standard for our subsequent international reunions. Since then, I've seen Gilbert on other occasions, including the 2001 and 2006 international reunions, and he always showed great pride in his family and his home state. He will be missed.

Also, I learned that Robert Olin Niles (John-John-Gideon-John-Patience-Algernon-Alice-Algernon-Charles-Robert) of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, passed away on January 4th of this year. Bob joined the OFS back in 1997 and has remained a member ever since. I believe the first and only time I met him in person was at the 2001 international reunion in Binghamton, New York. When he and his wife, Kathleen, introduced themselves, I was struck by his humble demeanor and I thought, "This is one genuinely nice man." Not until I read his obituary did I realize that he had retired as a VP and director of engineering at ABC-TV. In that role, he had earned a reputation as a man of integrity and fairness and as a peacemaker when dealing with contentious situations. I wish I'd had more opportunities to see Bob. I'm certain I would have learned a few things from him.

Rest in peace, gentlemen.