Clarence S. Olson, musician, former industrial manager, and resident of Shrewsbury for over 40 years, died of kidney failure at the Shrewsbury Nursing Home on January 3, 2005. He was 91 years old.
Mr. Olson was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan on April 27, 1913. During his early school years, he developed a consuming interest in music and literature, both of which became lifelong passions. By the time he graduated from high school in 1931, Mr. Olson was an accomplished classical pianist. During the Depression years, he attended Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, earning his tuition as a door-to-door salesman and college cook. He continued his studies at Hamline University in St. Paul, where he was assistant director of two nationally known choral groups, the Minneapolis Acappella Choir and the Odin Male Chorus. Mr. Olson toured the U.S. with these groups as an accompanist and piano soloist. At Hamline, he was a member of Kappa Phi Kappa and Kappa Phi Sigma, honorary fraternities in education and literature. In 1939, he married Sylvia Abrahamson of Brockton, Massachusetts, a classmate at Bethel College. In the same year, he graduated from Hamline University with a Bachelor of Arts in music and Bachelor of Arts in English literature. In 1940, Mr. Olson became an English teacher in the St. Paul Public school system.
In 1943, Clarence and his family moved to Worcester, where he was hired as Minister of Music at Salem Square Covenant Church. He was also hired as Materials Control Supervisor at Crompton Knowles Corporation, where he systematized all stock control areas within the plant and developed skills in management, cost accounting, and production control.
In 1957, he became manager of the Cable Assembly Division at Surprenant Manufacturing Co, Clinton, MA, where he was responsible for all aspects of production of coaxial cable manufactured to rigid military specifications. Under Mr. Olson’s leadership, the Surprenant Cable Division secured major contracts with the General Electric Side Winder missile project, Hazeltine Corporation’s DEW line radar stations; Raytheon Corporation’s Hawk Missile program and the General Dynamics Corporation’s underground silo missile sites. After Surprenant was purchased by ITT in 1965, Mr. Olson worked in a similar capacity for Madison Steel and Wire Corporation in Worcester. He retired in the mid 1970’s.
Concurrent with his career in industry, Mr. Olson fulfilled his musical gifts as organist and choir director in several Worcester area congregations, including Salem Square Covenant (now Salem Covenant) Church, Bethlehem Covenant Church, Greendale Lutheran Church, and Burncoat Baptist Church. Mr. Olson’s music career in Worcester spanned over 50 years. Besides balancing dual careers, Clarence had a rich personal life that reflected his devotion to family, and love of music, art, nature, and travel. A voracious reader, he possessed considerable knowledge on many topics, which he enthusiastically shared with family, friends, and colleagues alike. To know him was to be intellectually stimulated and enriched. Above all, he was beloved for his ready wit and irrepressible sense of humor, which he maintained throughout his life.
Mr. Olson is survived by his wife, Sylvia of Shrewsbury; two daughters, Barbara Small of East Douglas, MA and Kathleen Schmidt of Greenport, NY; a sister, Jean Anderson of Worcester; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and nephews and nieces.
A Memorial Service followed by a reception will be held for Mr. Olson on Saturday, January 29, at 3 PM, at the Salem Covenant Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Organ Fund of Salem Covenant Church, 215 East Mountain St., Worcester, MA 01606. Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln St., Worcester, MA is directing arrangements.