Obituary: Olin, Rodger W.
Age 97
Rodger was born in Spokane, Washington, on August 20, 1916 to Oscar and Amy Olin who had immigrated to the United States from Sweden.
Rodger graduated from Rogers High School in 1934.
At the beginning of WWII he was employed as a grocery store manager.
In March of 1942 Rodger and his co-workers resigned their jobs and joined different branches of the military.
At the age of 25, he was considered the “old man” when he enlisted in the US Army.
His time was spent in Texas as part of a training battalion and later in the European theater and Philippines.
Rodger was discharged in January of 1946 and returned to Spokane.
In 1948 he married Elizabeth (Betty) Elthorp of upstate New York.
They were blessed with the birth of their son, Kris, in December of 1949.
Rodger and Betty were married for 36 years before her death in 1984.
With his love of people and the gift of gab, Rodger’s career choice was one in sales.
He enjoyed a successful career as a sales representative and retired from Kershaw’s Office Supply after thirty five years in the business.
Rodger was very proud of his Swedish heritage and was an active member of the VASA lodge for 79 years.
He studied Swedish and was able to make a trip back to Sweden to meet the Olin family.
Rodger was outgoing and had a positive view of life.
He never met a person he didn’t like.
Rodger loved the simple things like being outdoors, reading a good book, growing a vegetable garden, solving crossword puzzles, “shooting the breeze”, and traveling with his dear friend Evelyn.
In May Rodger was able to be part of the Inland Northwest Honor Flight.
He and more than 90 WWII veterans visited the memorials dedicated to them.
It was an experience of a lifetime.
Rodger is survived by his son, Kris, daughter-in-law, Mary, granddaughter Rebecca, nephews Mike and Scott Olin and their families, and his sister-in-law Lucille.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Betty, his parents, Oscar and Amy, his brother, Harry, and a special friend, Evelyn Davis.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 25th at the Heritage Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. A graveside service with military honors will follow at Pines Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Inland Northwest Honor Flight or to Hospice House of Spokane.