Captain – Fire Station 65
Deceased:
01/12/2021
Appointed:
04/30/1960
Pensioned:
07/10/1985 – FS65
Services:
PRIVATE
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
I worked with Ole at “Old 22’s” back about 1969-70, later on after he retired and moved to Wisconsin, my family was on vacation and we stopped by his home for a visit. Ole had told me to call when we got to the town of “Hixton” where he lived, and he would give me directions to his house. I found a phone booth and called, I told him that we had arrived in Hixton, and his reply was, “Oh, you are at the phone booth (the only one in the town. Long story short was that we ended parking our truck and camper at his farm, and the next day, got treated to a tour which included a ride on his good sized tractor around his probably 100 acre farm. Some where about 2006 he stopped by our home in “Old Agoura” for a visit before heading back to Wisconsin. If I remember correctly Ole had served in the Marine Corps. before joining the LAFD.
One memory that just popped up was that I was going “Dirt Bike riding after the shift was over and leaving from the Station, I had brought an Ice Chest with food and drinks for the ride. When I opened the ice chest after the ride half of the sandwiches were eaten and most of the beer had disappeared.
Ole, may you “Rest in peace”
Ole has been one of my best friends and mentor for 50 years. Fire Station 22 was my second House during my probation. And I was lucky enough to be assigned back to 22’s after probation. Ole was the Engineer on the triple, Scott Lenz was the Auto Fireman on the High Pressure Engine and Glen Dinger was our Captain. Ole had a tremendous work ethic and loyalty to the LAFD. He demonstrated daily to me how to work hard. We would make pies to take to OCD to encourage OCD to send us to fires, overhauls, and really send us to anything! After a twenty-five year career, Ole and Carol moved back to Ole’s family farm in Hixton, Wisconsin. I had the privilege of picking up a new Engine built by Seagrave at Clintonville Wisconsin in 1984. My first day driving back to LA I went straight to Ole’s farm. We drove to all of Ole’s neighbors with Ole manning the water cannon and I was operating the pump soaking everything and everyone. I also had a chance to visit Ole in 1999 after flying my daughter to Hillsdale College in our small plane. Ole was waiting for me at the Northfield airport. We went back to his farm and moved 90 pound hay bales in Wisconsin August weather. To me Ole was bigger than life and his loss to his family and his friends is tremendous. But he is now at peace with Jesus.
I remember Capt Olsen from 14’s on the C Platoon. He left there and then he went to 65’s and retired. RIP sir
Ole and I worked together at 22’s when he was an engineer. We were also back-to-back neighbors living in Torrance and rode to work together for a long time. He was one of my best friends and the greatest engineer that I could have worked with and I knew that I never had to worry about running out of water while inside a burning building. He had a huge impact on me and the LAFD, instilling hard work by keeping his apparatus in the best shape possible. I really miss those days we worked together. My heart goes out to Carol and the family.
Rest in peace dear friend!
I worked with Ole at 14’s, he was always a pleasure to work with. As mention in previous post a hard worker and dedicated member of the LAFD. Rest In Peace My friend, you’ll be remembered by those who knew/worked with you.
What a class act. Captain Olson had a huge influence on my career. He was my 3rd house captain at 14’s. Never felt comfortable enough to call him Ole. I have a huge amount of respect for the man. He had faith in me and he influenced me to promote to engineer. He encouraged me, confided in me and he was a man’s man. He had a great pick up truck, I loved his vintage California Angels hat, (went out and bought one myself,
still wear it, and think of him everytime I see it), oh, and don’t try to feed him onions. God bless you sir and your family too. I will certainly continue to think of you.