David E. Olson

August 16, 1944 - November 3, 2013

David E. Olson, 69, of Rostraver Twp., passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2013. A son of the late C. Theodore and Aurora “Ora” C. Rousseau Olson, he was born August 16, 1944 in Monongahela. Dave, originally from Rostraver Twp., lived in both Bridgeville and in Washington, PA before returning in 1994 to move back into his childhood home. Dave studied art at Penn State, graduating in 1966. He earned a Master of Art Education from Penn State in 1968. Dave taught at a number of educational institutions in Western Pennsylvania including the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind, Washington & Jefferson College, Waynesburg College, California University of Pennsylvania, and Touchstone Center for Crafts. He was member of the Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, and the Watercolor Society. In addition to his artistic talents, Dave was also a gifted musician. He played several different instruments, including the Scottish bagpipes, trombone, guitar, fiddle, flute, and other wind instruments. Of these, Dave was best known for playing the bagpipes. He was a charter member of the Macdonald Bagpipe Band, which was formed in Pittsburgh in 1964. He also played the trombone in the Wind Ensemble at Washington & Jefferson College, Mon Valley Community Band and several VFW bands. Dave will be greatly missed by his large extended family and his many friends in the art and music communities in Western Pennsylvania. He is survived by his son, Alan D. Olson, of Carnegie; a brother, Richard A. Olson of Phoenix, AZ; and a sister, O. Diane Sommerville of Richfield Springs, NY. Friends will be received on Thursday from 7-9 P.M. and on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. at the Ferguson Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., (724-929-5300), 700 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon. www.FergusonFuneralHomeAndCrematory.com. A Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday at 11 A.M., the Rev. Susan Rothenberg officiating. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sixth Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, PA., 1688 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.