Melvin "Nate" Olson

It was in 1932, in Marshfield, Wisconsin that Reverend Carl and Dorothy Olson celebrated the birth of their 2nd of four sons. They named him Melvin Nathan. His family and friends knew him as "Nate". His early years were spent in Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota. As a young man he worked as a baker and served in the Merchant Marines, but his life journey would be more academic and organizational. He attended Wessington Springs Academy and Junior College, graduating with an AA degree before traveling to the northwest to attend Seattle Pacific University where, in 1955, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. In 1959 he earned a Masters of Divinity degree at Western Evangelical Seminary and in 1960 a Masters of Education degree from University of Portland. He then became a professor at Western Evangelical Seminary. In 1965 he joined the faculty of Cascade College as the Professor of Psychology where he also served as Vice President of Campus Affairs. He was named as College Vice President in 1967 and President in 1968. In 1970 he earned a Doctor of Education at the University of Portland.

In 1970 he became a co-founder of Nulabs, an agricultural genetics company that became a division of Pioneer Hybrid, Des Moines, Iowa. He served as President of that division until 1984. In 1984 he purchased Power Logistics Co. producing power supply products for high tech industries. He served as administrator of several non-profit agencies and co-founded ENews Publishing until his retirement in 2014 at the age of 82. He was a member of the Board of trustees of Seattle Pacific University for 9 years. A long-time member of First Baptist Church, Portland, he served in many capacities including Sunday School Teacher.

Nate loved God, his family, his friends, his work and the experience of learning. He was a voracious reader, leaving behind a library of nearly 1500 volumes, all of which he read once or more times. Nate was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. His warm and energetic nature was deeply appreciated by those he loved as well as those with whom he had chance encounters. In addition to having close relationships with his immediate family, Nate had a great and positive impact on his extended family, serving as the Olson patriarch to his nieces and nephews after his brothers passed away. He will be truly missed.

Nate Olson passed into the presence of Jesus his Lord and Savior after a long and courageous battle with cancer on August 25, 2016. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 47 years; Lori Anne (Barney) Rosen of Stevenson Ranch, CA; his son, Michael (Jenny) Olson of Bellevue, WA: granddaughters Adrianne, Delaney, and Liza Rosen of Stevenson Ranch, CA; Anna and Molly Olson of Bellevue, WA: and grandson Brett Olson of Bellevue, WA.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Portland, Oregon on Sunday, September 11 at 12:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Baptist Church Missions or the Cambodian Children's Ministry.

Special thanks to Meridian Park Hospital Staff and Legacy Hospice Portland.