Robert Eric Olsen

Died December 22, 2022, Aldergrove, BC

Dad passed away peacefully, aged 91, on December 22, 2022 at Jackman Manor in Aldergrove, BC after a few years of declining health.

Left to mourn are his two “sweethearts,” daughters Christine (Ron March) and Suzanne Olsen. Also grieving his passing are his brother William Olsen; grandchildren Sean March (Erin Stripe) and Andrea March (Jeffrey Waite); two great-grandchildren, Jack and Cole Waite; sister-in-law Margaret Rice; many nieces and nephews. Dad was pre-deceased by our brother Rob in 2016, and our Mom, his beloved Louise, in 2017.

Dad’s family moved from Alberta to Vancouver when he was a young child and he grew up in the Kitsilano neighbourhood. At Kits High, Dad excelled in sports and developed his interest in photography. Dad enjoyed a productive and fascinating 43-year career as a news photographer. A pioneer in the use of the 35 mm film camera, Dad was one of the best in the business during a golden era for newspapers and news photography in Canada.

Dad got his start at the Vancouver Province as a copy boy and often expressed gratitude for the mentors who guided his early career: Claude Dettloff (whom Dad called The Master), Bill Cunningham, Don McLeod, and Chuck Jones. Dad also enjoyed stints at the Vancouver Sun and the short-lived Vancouver Times. Not long after the Times folded in 1965, Dad received an offer to join the outstanding team of news photographers at The Toronto Star, Canada’s largest newspaper. And thus began Dad’s extraordinary 27-year run at The Star.

Starting with Louis St-Laurent, Dad covered seven Canadian Prime Ministers. Pierre Trudeau was a favourite subject because, as Dad used to say, “you never knew what he was going to do.” He covered many royal tours, countless sports events, A-list celebrities, politicians, and criminals, and captured the moments of everyday citizens doing interesting or extraordinary things. Career highlights include accompanying Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau on his historic 1970 tour of the Arctic, the infamous 1970 October crisis, being part of the highly lauded Toronto Star press team that covered the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and photographing the Group of Seven artist A.Y. Jackson. Meeting and photographing Mother Teresa at her hostel in Calcutta was a particularly moving experience for Dad. His famous photograph of John Diefenbaker’s funeral train brought Dad accolades from all corners of the country.

Dad lost count of the many awards he won over the decades, but he was proudest of his two National Newspaper Awards for Feature Photography, won in 1959 and 1964. Some of his work was selected by the World Press Awards to tour Europe, and his iconic series capturing the 1958 Ripple Rock explosions can be seen in both the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the Museum at Campbell River.

After he retired Dad was proud to see his work showcased in two books. From See to See, published in 1999, showcases 50 years of National Newspaper Award-winning photography, and 100 Photos That Changed Canada, published in 2006, celebrates great moments in Canadian history. Dad’s work was also featured in Exposed, a 2015 Toronto exhibition of 100 of the best photographs from the Toronto Star Photograph Archive.

Dad’s creativity spilled over into his personal pastimes. He dabbled - with admitted mixed success - in painting, watercolours, and pastels. He created a detailed model train set that occupied most of our recreation room. An avid fly fisherman, Dad’s carefully crafted Atlantic salmon flies are each a unique, beautiful work of art. His athleticism and sense of fun were often on display at our local pool where the lifeguards turned a blind eye to his antics on the diving board. Throughout his life Dad loved big-band music and his final days were often spent listening to Frank Sinatra.

Our parents’ love story began at Kitsilano High School and they were married in 1954. Mom and Dad enjoyed cross-country road trips across the northern US and Canada, often with their cat, Shadow, in tow. A few years after Dad’s retirement they moved back “home” to BC. Their long, happy marriage ended with our Mother’s passing in 2017. Dad was a sometimes stern, but proud and loving father to Christine, Suzanne and Rob. There was much laughter in the family home growing up. Dad’s passing leaves a big hole in our hearts.

Dad’s ashes will be buried alongside our Mom and brother at Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver. We want to thank the team at Jackman Manor for the kindness, care and attention they showed Dad during his time there.