Robin Charles Olmstead

Born 6/12/1946, Syracuse, NY - Deceased 1/7/2024 in Ft. Walton Beach, FL

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Beth Yancey; children Ian Yancey (Morgan), and Ian’s son, Owen; Sara Morrison (Ryan), and their sons, Sal and Mason; his sons Brett Olmstead (Andrea), and Josh Olmstead (Kellie); his grandchildren Annesleigh Salter, Audrey Olmstead, Jake Olmstead, Carter Olmstead; his sister, Laurie Yankoski (Mike); brother, Kippen Olmstead (Mary); Mother-In-Law, Norma Owen; Sister-In-Law, Lisa Benson (Rob); Brother-In-Law, Jimmy Owen (Brenda); and many other relatives and friends.

Robin was predeceased by his father, LCDR. Charles Olmstead, mother, Germaine King Olmstead, and sister, Liane Noel Olmstead.

Robin lived his early years in Syracuse, NY. His father was a pilot in the U.S. Navy, and the family moved often during the kids’ school years, to places such as Hawaii, California, Rhode Island, Illinois, Coastal Georgia, and ultimately Pensacola, FL. Robin always had a special place in his heart for Brunswick, GA where he graduated high school from Glynn Academy in 1964. Robin still has dear friends from those days in Brunswick and Saint Simons Island, GA that he cherished always.

After high school, Robin attended Georgia Southern University, in Statesboro, GA, where he earned a Masters in Mathematics, met his former wife, Carol (Stewart) McGraw, and together had their first child, Brett in 1971. Robin began his long career in teaching, first at Riverview Academy in Albany, GA, then Worth Academy in Sylvester, GA. During this time his second son, Josh was born, and Robin earned several “Star Teacher” awards voted on by the students in his schools. Additionally, he also coached school basketball, tennis, track & field, and baseball teams, even sometimes driving the bus to events throughout Southwest GA. Through his teaching and coaching, he was an inspiration to many.

What started as vacationing to the beaches of Northwest Florida, ultimately became a lifetime move, when Robin relocated his family to Niceville, FL in 1984, and joined the Mathematics Department at Okaloosa Walton Community College (OWCC), now Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC). He continued teaching there until his retirement in 2020, an impressive 36 year tenure! Robin’s peers and students remember him as an excellent instructor and a caring friend. At OWCC, Robin had the desire to initiate a mathematics competition where area high schools could compete against each other in a challenging and prestigious quiz event, similar to a Math Olympics. From his vision, the NWFSC Math Bowl was created, and it has continued for 35 years! The competition was extremely successful and quickly expanded to include schools across the Florida Panhandle, from Pensacola to Tallahassee. This event has given many high school students who competed their first experience of a college environment, and has undoubtedly opened possibilities they may not have considered before.

Robin was also a fan and supporter of sports in Okaloosa County, and could often be found at local sporting events, especially when his sons competed in elementary, junior high, and high school sports; and afterwards as a booster for NWFSC basketball teams. He played pickup basketball himself for much of his life, at several of the local outdoor courts, the college, and the old Fort Walton Beach YMCA. Those who played with him and against him know that he had a quick jump-shot, a quicker temper (in those days), and he was extremely competitive. He always played to win! This extended to pursuits of knowledge as well, as he was twice the 1st place winner nationwide at NTN electronic trivia, that he used to enjoy at Lewbo’s Restaurant in Niceville. Robin was always a lover of knowledge. He had a passion for collecting books, and a passion for life, which he lived in his own unique way.

In 2012, Robin married Mary Beth Yancey of Shalimar, FL. The date was 12/12/12 (That’s what you get when you marry a numerophile!) Robin and Mary Beth loved each other's company, and enjoyed cruises, and traveling. Robin gained a second wonderful family who knew him as "Pops”. Mary Beth was a loving, steadfast, and sustaining partner through the last difficult year of Robin's life, and he always made sure to tell others how much he loved and appreciated her for this care. He left us too soon, but Robin C. Olmstead will never be forgotten.

Services will be held at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel on Saturday, January 20th, 2024. Visitation will begin at 12:00pm followed by a service at 1:00pm, then he will be laid to rest in Bayview Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Robin's memory may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, https://secure.qgiv.com/for/pulfibfou/.