David E. Olson
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Gifted musician
David E. Olson, 69, of Rostraver Township, passed away Sunday, November 3, 2013.
He was born August 16, 1944, in Monongahela, a son of the late C. Theodore and Aurora C. “Ora” Rousseau Olson.
Mr. Olson, originally from Rostraver Township, lived in both Bridgeville and in Washington, before moving back to his childhood home in 1994.
He studied art at Penn State University, graduating in 1966. He earned a master’s of art education from Penn State in 1968.
Mr. Olson taught at a number of educational institutions in Western Pennsylvania, including the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind, Washington & Jefferson College, Waynesburg University, California University of Pennsylvania and Touchstone Center for Crafts.
He was member of Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and Watercolor Society.
In addition to his artistic talents, he was also a gifted musician. He played several different instruments, including the Scottish bagpipes, trombone, guitar, fiddle, flute and other wind instruments. Of these, he 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 Veterans of Foreign Wars bands.
Mr. Olson will be greatly missed by his large extended family and his many friends in the art and music communities in Western Pennsylvania.
Surviving are a son, Alan D. Olson of Carnegie; a brother, Richard A. Olson of Phoenix, Ariz.; and a sister, O. Diane Sommerville of Richfield Springs, N.Y.
Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Ferguson Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 724-929-5300, 700 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon, www.FergusonFuneralHomeAndCrematory.com, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 9, with the Rev. Susan Rothenberg officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sixth Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, 1688 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.