‘Best Teacher Ever’ A Friend And Hero To Kids Bob Olson Succumbs To Cancer; Students Will Never Forget Him

One of the dozens of letters written to Bob Olson at the end of his battle with cancer was from a husband, wife and their two sons.

“As we told you before,” the woman wrote, “you have been a nightly topic at the dinner table, impressing our precious gifts, our children, forever.

“We honor you.”

“God bless you Bob,” the man wrote, thanking Olson for the impact he’d had on the couple’s boys.

It was a goodbye card.

Olson died of lung cancer last Friday at the age of 62.

A longtime resident of the Opportunity neighborhood, Olson taught math and history in the West Valley School District for 33 years before retiring last spring.

At Olson’s funeral Tuesday, Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home on North Pines overflowed with about 400 students, parents, colleagues and friends. The service was conducted by Olson’s son-in-law, the Rev. Matthew Lim, a Baptist minister from Hot Springs, S.D.

Olson, a smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer in February of 1994. He set a goal of reaching his retirement at the end of the following year, said his widow, Arlene Olson.

“He had a very strong will. He just loved being there with those kids,” Arlene Olson said.

“I think that’s what kept him alive that last year,” said Kellie Lim, Olson’s daughter. Olson also is survived by a son, Kris, and three grandchildren.

Students sent Olson piles of letters just before he died. One boy said the teacher was his hero. One girl told Olson he was one of the only teachers to whom she could express her feelings. Many called him a friend.

“He cared about the students and what they thought,” said Jennifer Eubanks, Centennial Middle School’s student body president. “He understood us.”

Olson loved to be with the kids. At lunchtime, say former colleagues, he’d rush through his lunch and then head to the cafeteria to be with the students.

He insisted on good manners and would descend upon gum-chewing, hat-wearing students with his arms folded across his chest, one hand holding up two fingers, the other, five. Twenty-five. Push-ups, that is.

“I think I probably did 50 push-ups a day for him,” remembered West Valley High School senior Shawn Murray with a smile. “He changed my life because now I’m in good shape.”

When Centennial Middle School opened six years ago, Olson chose a room at the intersection of two hallways and in direct view of the front door. He wanted to see the students and talk to them when they entered school for the day.

In his booming voice, Olson would call out, “Hey, Miss B,” “Hey L’il O’B,” and “Hey, Eubie,” and give the kids a slug in the arm. He nicknamed everyone and forgot no one.

At the mention of Olson’s name, students grin and stories flow. Even those who never took a class from Olson knew him.

“He could always smell gum,” said West Valley senior Lori Maier.

“And he’d make you put it on your nose,” added senior Jennifer Grizzle.

Outside Centennial, the reader board says, “Mr. Olson: 1933-1995. We’ll miss you Mr. O.” Inside, a commemorative display features photos of Olson. One is from his surprise birthday party last year. A Christmas scene shows Olson shaking hands with a student dressed as Santa. A third is from the ceremony in which Olson was named teacher of the month by Eastern Washington University.

EWU picked Olson for the monthly award in June. He was nominated by one of his students.

“I would like to nominate Mr. Bob Olson as teacher of the month,” wrote Angela Slaughter, then a seventh-grader. “I really would like to name him ‘Best teacher ever.’ Do you have such a category?”

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