Michael
Ron Olmstead, a fifth generation Californian, passed away peacefully on Saturday, surrounded by family members.
Born in San Jose in 1934, Ron was proud of his heritage as a member of one of Santa Clara Valley’s pioneer farm families. He was a graduate of Palo Alto High School where he played football and baseball. Ron was a member of the 1950 Paly football team that went 10-0 under legendary coach, Hod Ray.
After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Ron worked for many years as an engineer in the aerospace industry before joining his family’s summer training camp business, the United Spirit Association. Ron directed USA camps for thousands of young people throughout the Western United States. An early proponent of positive coaching, Ron was one of the founders of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) in the Bay Area and conducted the first AYSO training camps at U.C. Santa Cruz. Ron played a key role in the production of the Opening Ceremonies for Super Bowl XIX, the Olympic Soccer Tournament and the 1994 World Cup.
In retirement, Ron pursued his interest in California history and the Lester/Cilker/Olmstead Family genealogy. He was a prolific storyteller with extensive knowledge of the region’s history.
Ron lived in Los Osos, San Juan Bautista, and Mariposa before returning to his roots in Palo Alto. Ron demonstrated courage in his final years, never losing his positive attitude and sense of humor.
Ron is survived by his devoted wife of 28 years, Jo, his children Edward Olmstead and Anne Tierney, his grandson Nico, and his brothers Alan, Doug, and Michael.
Memorial gifts may be made in Ron’s name to the Stanford Medical Center Lymphoma Program.
Tributes
Leave a tributeMichael
Betty
The Kresses' would love to have Jo/Family meet up with us soon.
Love,
Monica
Your smile and light still bring joy to me. You were a star to so many of us. That star will shine brightly forever, to all the lives you touched. Miss you.
Ron had a great inventiveness. I will always remember the worlds smallest "penny farthing" bicycle that Ron made by modifying a tricycle for little Annie. She was riding that bike before most kids her age were riding tricycles.
Ron was a great story teller. I will never forget going on the trips to the cabin in Mendocino and the stories he would tell in the evening. Just scary enough to keep us kids interested, but not scary enough to give us nightmares.
And I remember Ron from AYSO soccer, where he pushed us to be better but always in a positive way.
Although I have lost touch with the Olmstead family in recent years, I will always remember Ron as an important part of shaping my childhood that will stay with me forever. Thank you, Ron.
Come join us for a little lunch and story telling.
All are welcome.
Bob McFarlane sent this very nice reply...
"Thank you very much for your note and photos. They brought back many memories. Your Dad was a very good friend and we had many interests in common. Both of our boys played in the American Youth Soccer group in Palo Alto in about 1967 through 1970, just before we moved to Saudi Arabia. I assume you did as well.
I remember very well a fishing trip your Dad, myself and another friend from Stanford, Bill Christie made to the Sierras sometime in the late 1960's. I think your Dad had a new car and we drove it on the trip. Just above Sonora, on the way to the pass, Bill Christie, who was driving, took a curve too fast and we headed off the road. The area was full of ravines and one large canyon and I was sure we were all going to all die and as the final thoughts of my life were flying through my head the only thing that came out was, "Oh shit!". However we didn't get hurt although we tore up your Dad's car and it had to be towed back to Sonora at about 10pm. We managed to find a hotel room for the night and after calming down a bit went to sleep.
In the morning we arranged for the car to be fixed in Sonora and then thought to ourselves that since we couldn't do too much else there we had only two alternatives. One to return to Palo Alto and the second to rent a car and continue on with our trip. We chose the second and had a great time fishing near Mammoth Lakes on the Eastern slope of the Sierra. We returned to Palo Alto in the rental car and after your Dad's car was fixed I rode with him to pick it up and return home.
At no time during the trip did your Dad get upset. He just figured we were all lucky to escape injury and never blamed Bill for his driving. I might have. That was very typical of your Dad. He was a very good friend that I liked to associate with and was extremely easy to get along with.
We won't be able to attend the remembrance affair in Palo Alto since we will be attending the college graduation of one of our grandsons in Virginia. However please add our blessings for your Dad to the others and know that he was a wonderful friend of both of us.
Bob and Phoebe McFarlane"
"I was saddened to receive your message of your Dad's passing Ed. I am sorry that I never had the pleasure of meeting him. Aunt Beulah always spoke so highly of Ron and I know he will be missed by his family.
Love,
Connie"
RSVP to: Ed Olmstead, denna2000@sbcglobal.net 510-535-1699
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time and I am so sorry for your loss.
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Michael
Brother’s Reflections
Ron's love of genealogy researchOne
One of Ron's favorite activities for many years was famiy history research and writing. Cousin Warren Wayland and i were fortunate to share that hobby with Ron. I enjoyed many hours spent discussing our latest discoveries. I have included today 2 photos taken in February 2010 at Leland (Lee) Lester's home in San Jose. We were reviewing old Lester-Spicer photos for an up coming reunion. Colin Tanner, Linda L Lester, Cindy Cilker Linsenbardt, Ron, Lee and I were there that day. Good memories. Colin has scanned manny of the old family photos.
Betty