Olson, Roger H. Age 73 Of Lincoln Park Active with the Textile and Design Community for forty years, passed away on July 25, 2008. A native of St. Paul, Minnesota where he was associated with Harlan Boss Interiors, Pinecrest and the Dayton-Schuneman Company, he moved to Chicago in 1966. He worked as a sales representative for the F. Schumacher Co. for fourteen years before becoming the Midwest Regional Manager for Knoll Textiles in 1978. He moved to Stow/Davis and Steelcase in Grand Rapids in 1981, becoming Vice President of Textiles for Stow/Davis in 1991. He was a founding member and board member of the Association for Contract Textiles and a member of the Color Marketing Group. He was recognized for two of his textiles by IBD in 1983 and again in 1985. In 1992-93, he received three silver and a bronze award for textiles from NEOCON and IBD/Contract Design. During his tenure with the Steelcase-Stow/Davis organizations, he served as Manager of Wood Surface Materials and as the Marketing Manager for Program Development Surface Materials. The son of the late Harold and Myrtle Olson, he was a graduate of Humboldt High in West St. Paul and the University of Minnesota. Mr. Olson served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1954 to 1962. He was a world traveler and an avid art collector. In addition to several major pieces, he made a point of purchasing a work of art at the Old Town Art Fair each year since his move to Lincoln Park in 1968. He was a member of the First St. Paul's Lutheran Church where he served as trustee and a member of the Lincoln Park Towers Board, heading up its Architecture/Design Commission. He is survived by his life-long partner of 48 years, Dr. Sherwood Snyder; by a sister, Doris M. (Clifford) Lehner of St. Paul; a niece, Stacey (Scott) Sievert of Steger, Illinois and two nephews; Adam (Bethany) Lee-Lehner of Ann Arbor, Michigan and Mark (Karen) of St. Paul along with three grand nieces and two grand nephews. Graveside services will be held in his home town of St. Paul. Those interested may make memorials to the music program of the First St. Paul's Lutheran Church at 1301 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610

Published in the Pioneer Press
July 29, 2008