So saddened by the discovery Olin had passed, he was such a presence in the early lives of both my husband Billy and myself. Olin was always a dear and cherished person, friend and memory in our life. Thinking of Olin always brings a smile to me and so many cherished memories. So many years and wonderful memories. Love you Olin, rest in peace, Peggy McMillan

Dr. West was my therapist at Four Winds when I lived there for almost 2 years from 1982 through 1984. In many ways, Dr. West taught me right from wrong and weak from strong, as in the lyrics of the 1967 song, "To Sir, With Love."

To the West family, Just so sorry to learn of Olin's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Olin was a classmate of mine at The Haverford School we played football together and on the side ran a snowplowing busisnes together.  He also served as an usher in our wedding in Mexico.. What a great guy we certainly all will miss. Rick Ledwith

Uncle Olin was wonderful to me and to my family. He was very patient with me over the years, and once gave me a great deal of help in a crisis.

Though I knew Olin from childhood, it was only when I graduated from college and got an email account that we really started to have interesting conversations. He always showed genuine interest, but when I was young, I was too intimidated by how intellectually accomplished he and Katherine are to say much. Of course, after college I suddenly knew everything about everything and didn't think twice about lecturing Olin on climate change or politics or anything else. Olin was so polite in his responses to my emails - never calling out my arrogance and always encouraging me to consider other sources and viewpoints. I'm glad he didn't just write me off because I learned from those interactions how to disagree without being a jerk about it, and that has been an immensely helpful skill to have (though, boy did I learn it slowly!)

And I was so grateful to have Olin on my team when I had an emotional crisis and didn't know what to do. I had just arrived in northern India, traveling alone, and was having a terrible time with the medication I was taking to prevent malaria - just having every side effect listed on the box and feeling like I was going crazy. My personality felt so disconnected from who I was that I was scared I would do something illegal or dangerous. Olin managed - over email! - to talk me down and reassured me that I would improve soon and there were many ways to tackle the problem. I tried all of the suggestions immediately (stop taking the medication, lots of exercise, lots of water, talk to parents) and within a day I was feeling more myself. I've always looked at that point in my life as a near-miss, and credit Olin with keeping me safe.

I know Olin will be missed by so many people who love and respect him. He will live on in his family and in the hearts of the people he has helped over the years.

We love you always
  - Courtney and the McCormick family

Uncle Olin was always so kind to be. Always gentle with his voice and hugs. I always felt safe in his presence. Love you Uncle Olin! We were the lucky ones to have you in our loves!

Olin loved to play and watch most sports. He and Katherine built an outdoor basketball court at Waterperry Farm, where he played basketball for many years, with a group of guys 10-25 years younger than him. With bad knees and asthma, he would bull his way to the basket wheezing heavily and crashing his knee brace into opponents in the way. He and I shared season football and basketball tickets to UVA’s games for almost two decades. He was a great optimist about UVA’s chances, and even wrote to the coaches to suggest how the defensive backs could improve pass protection. One year, his back was so bad, with so much pain and spasm, that he would trudge, bent over on crutches, for the 1 1/2 miles from parking to the stadium. He was certain that this was better for his back, then what the doctors were recommending. He was soooo stubborn at times. Finally, in his later years, he gave up walking to the stadium, and would come to our house to watch the game on TV. We would often serve popcorn, which we would have to clean out of the and off of the floor and from under the couch cushions where he sat. If pressed, Olin would often talk about being a fiscal conservative and staunch republican, which got us into many complicated discussions. Again, he was sooo stubborn. Olin was a great friend and spirit, kind, caring, generous, and with a definite mind of his own. He will surely be missed.

Olin & I were classmates at Columbia Univ. College of Physicians & Surgeons, class of 1970 ( the "champagne class" --for some unknown reason !). I remember Olin as a silent, strong, steady student and friend --always ready to help others with notes, exams and never complaining of long hours.. He was truly an example of silent strength & support, and always ready with a smile and a warm greeting. I'll miss him dearly/love and condolences to his family./Tony Pepe P&S '70

Playing Consecutive Rummy with Olin was like waiting for paint to dry. He couldn't remember the rules and was frequently surprised when reminded that he couldn't make a particular move. For some reason he was unable to fan his cards, so for every turn we would wait patiently for him to do so. He took almost every card that was discarded with no apparent strategy. And...he complained about his cards the whole game. The thing that Katherine, Les and I could never understand was that Olin won more games than his share. So now when Les or I happen to be losing at a game we tell each other, "You need to complain more like Olin did". Olin will live on in our lives in many ways.

I was blessed to meet Olin in Florida when he and Katherine were looking at property. What a gentle soul he was and while our conversations were brief, we packed a lot into those discoveries. These photographic memories are so wonderful to see the depth of family time together. I can only imagine how his memory will be alive in each of you who loved him. Blessings to you all.