Kenneth V. Olson

Professor Kenneth Vance Olson, 71, of Sylvan Road, New Britain and also of Salem, CT, beloved husband of Judith E. Olson, died Friday July 23, 2004 at his home. A native of Verdi, Minnesota, he graduated from Verdi Schools before serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict in Japan and Korea. He received his B.S. degree from Central Connecticut State University, M.A. from the University of Connecticut, and did his advanced graduate work at Clark University, Wilkes-Barre College, with Doctoral studies at Uconn. From 1960 to 1968 he taught Social Studies, and served as a Guidance Counselor at Plainville High School. Joining the faculty at Central CT State University in 1968, he served as a Secondary Education professor for 25 years Coordinator 1986-1991 in the School of Education and Professional Studies retiring as an Associate Professor Emeritus in 1993. Well known as a secondary teacher educator of pre-service and in-service teachers, he served as a curriculum consultant in CT schools pioneering TV video teacher performance evaluation and later served as a CT State Department of Education Assessor in the Best Program. After retirement, he served as a part-time Associate Professor of History at Central Connecticut State University teaching secondary method courses and supervising History/Social Science student teachers. Displaying strong interest in high academic achievement, Kenneth was or had been a member of several honor societies: Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Pi Lambda Theta. He was cited in Whos Who Among Students in American Universities, Whos Who in the East, International Whos Who in Education, Community Leaders of America, International Register of Profiles, Directory of Distinguished Americans, and the International Directory of Intellectuals. He was a former member and/or leader of several professional organizations including the American Association of University Professors, Association of Teacher Educators, Network of Secondary Teacher Educators, Connecticut Council for the Social Studies, the Connecticut Forum and the retired AAUP Faculty Association. Kenneth, a resident of New Britain since 1955, was a life member of the Lions Club of New Britain, a founding charter member and Past President of the New Britain Evening Lions Club with many years of perfect attendance; was a Melvin Jones Fellow and a CT Knight of the Blind. On the state level he was a 100% Past District 23B Governor, Past MD23 CT Lions Council Chairman, Past President of the Lions Gallery of Vision Services, Inc., and had served as the District 23B Chaplain and Chairman of the Memorials Committee of the Connecticut Lions Research Foundation, Inc. He co-authored, A Brief History of Connecticut Lionism, published in 1984 by Connecticut Lions Clubs. Active in Masonry, he was a Past Worshipful Master of Walnut Hill Lodge, No. 139, AF&FM, New Britain; Columbia Council No. 9 Past Recorder and Past TIM, Burning Bush-Washington Chapter No. 6, RAM, Deep River, Cyrene Commandery No. 9 Past Commander, Middletown; a Noble of the Sphinx Temple Shrine; and was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Newington, CT. He was serving as an elected member of the New Britain Board of Education and as a Connecticut Governors appointed Director of the State of Connecticut Board of Education and Services for the Blind BESB, a charter life member of the Hardware City Marine Corps League, a member of the New Britain Elks, American Legion, VFW, Pvt. Smith Post, CT Parks and Forest Association, CT Nature Conservancy, South Congregational/First Baptist Church, and the Connecticut Republican Leaders Council, New Britain Republican Party Town Committee. He had served as a Corporator of the New Britain YMCA, as a member of the Association of Retarded Citizens Board of Directors, the New Britain Civic Council and the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Descendents of the Mayflower Passengers: John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley. He was a member of the Descendents of Colonial Clergy and Descendents of the First Settlers of Newberry, MA and founder of Patriots of American Sons of the Revolution. He was also a member of the Korean War Veterans Association, Marine Corps League, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Professor Olson is survived by his wife, Judith Judi E. Olson of New Britain; his daughter Kristen and her husband Rob Blackburn of Houston, TX; two grandsons, Brandon and Dane; his brother Burton Olson and his wife Pamela of Burnsville, Minnesota; a niece Jennifer and her husband Scott Myer of Atlanta, GA; and his mother-in-law Winnie Knapp of Middletown. Kenneth was predeceased by his son Christopher Kent Olson, his parents Frank and Alice Olson, grandparents Drs. William P. and Annie Dyer, and a Great Uncle and Aunt Martin and Florence Robertson. Funeral services will be held Tuesday 10 AM at South Congregational/ First Baptist Church, 90 Main Street, New Britain. Burial with military honors will be at Fairview Cemetery, New Britain. Calling hours will be held Monday 2 to 8 PM at Carlson Funeral Home 45 Franklin Square, New Britain. Unity Lodge #148, AF&AM will conduct a Masonic Ritual at 6 PM. The Marine Corps League will conduct a service at the funeral home at 6:30 PM followed by the Lions Club conducting their memorial service at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: 23B Lions Gallery of Vision Services Lions Low Vision Center 33 Highland Street, New Britain, CT 06050 or the Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation, PO Box 9268, New Haven, CT; or to the Professor Kenneth V. Olson Scholarship Fund, New Britain High School, 110 Mill Street, New Britain, CT 06051. Please share a memory of Ken with his family on our online guestbook by clicking on "Guestbook" at the bottom of the page.

Kenneth V. Olson

June 2, 1933 - July 23, 2004

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Kenneth V. Olson

June 2, 1933 - July 23, 2004

365 Days of Grief Support

Explore

About Us

Grief & Healing

What We Do

Obituaries

Plan Ahead

Resources

Contact Info