In Remembrance of
Dr. Robert W. Olson
(1920-2013)
Dr. Robert W. Olson, former life trustee and director of the Ellen G. White Estate, 1978-1990, died at his residence in Hendersonville, North Carolina, on April 15, 2013, at age 92. Dr. Olson joined the staff of the White Estate in 1974, succeeding Arthur L. White, Ellen White’s grandson.
Dr. Olson was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1946 and subsequently held teaching positions at several Adventist colleges, including the College of Medical Evangelists (now Loma Linda University), Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University), Newbold College (as President), and Pacific Union College, where he served as the religion department chair.
Elder Jim Nix, current director of the White Estate, commented, “Dr. Olson was one of the finest Christian gentlemen I have ever known. He was affirming, supportive, and you knew that if he gave you his word about something, you could count on it. Whether he was exegeting a Bible text or talking about the writings of Ellen White, his clear thinking and natural teaching skills caused him to be a much-in-demand speaker.”
Dr. Olson authored numerous articles and research papers, including the booklet 101 Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen White. Tim Poirier, vice-director of the White Estate, was hired by Olson in 1981 and remembers how his former director “provided solid leadership and honest answers” when the ministry of Ellen White and the church’s sanctuary doctrine came under attack in the 1980s.
One of Dr. Olson’s priorities was to make Ellen White’s writings more widely available. During his administration six EGW-SDA Research Centers were established in five world divisions, and the first Ellen White CD-ROM was produced.
Dr. Olson is survived by his wife, Lorraine, two children, and several grandchildren. A memorial service is planned for May 18, 2013, at the Fletcher Seventh-day Adventist church in Hendersonville, North Carolina, at 3 p.m. See also the announcement in
Adventist Review: http://www.adventistreview.org/article/6244/archives/issue-2013-1511/11cn-robert-w-olson-92-former-white-estate-director-dies
