Veteran Richard 'Rick' John Olson Leaves Legacy of Service

Richard 'Rick' John Olson, a decorated veteran and devoted family man, passed away at home in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania on August 27, 2026. Born on June 14, 1948 in Mandan, North Dakota, Rick enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after high school and served overseas in Vietnam before obtaining his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville.

Afraid of commitment? Not Rick. After marrying Mary Ann and starting graduate work, he decided to enter the U.S. Army as an officer and rose to the rank of Major. He then joined IBM and provided years of service as a Project Management consultant until his retirement.

In retirement, Rick dedicated himself to serving veterans and the community through various local organizations. He served as VFW Commander for Carlisle Post 477 and stayed involved with veteran programs outreach at another post, where he was always eager to strike up a friendly conversation. Equally important to him were his roles at Project New Hope and supporting disabled veterans.