Background
Olsen, Robert Thorvald was born on March 10, 1915 in Brookfield, Illinois, United States. Son of Erling and Lillie Kohoutek Olsen.
Olsen, Robert Thorvald was born on March 10, 1915 in Brookfield, Illinois, United States. Son of Erling and Lillie Kohoutek Olsen.
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 1936. Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 1937. Postgraduate, University Rochester, New York, 1939.
Postgraduate, University Dayton, 1958. Postgraduate, Rutgers University, Newark, 1975. Doctor of Philosophy in Organic Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, 1942.
Chemist, chemical engineer Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, 1937—1939. Teaching fellow Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1939—1941. Senior research chemist Global Assessment of Functioning, Easton, Pennsylvania, 1942—1948.
Director chemical research Plymouth Cordage Company, Massachusetts, 1948—1954. Research director Standard Register Company, Dayton, 1954—1961. Technical director, fine chemical department Ashland Chemical Company, Great Meadows, New Jersey, 1961—1976.
Mediator, counselor Cape Cod Mental Health Association, Hyannis and Orleans, Massachusetts, 1977—1984. Adviser Yaffe, Bristol Health Foundation, Fall River, 1982—1987. Board directors Health Services Agency V, from 1982.
Owner Deacon's Vineyard, Eastham, from 1985.
Volunteer Hospice, Orleans, 1984. Member Eastham Democratic Committee, from 1987. Fellow: Nauset Unitarian (president 1982-1983, program chairman 1985-1986).
Member: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Wine Society (chairman, wine judge training committee 1984-1986, Outstanding Member award 1986), American Public Health Association, Society Wine Educators, American Society Enology and Viticulture, American Chemical Society (secretary professional relations 1973-1976, speaker, North-East section Norris Bureau since 1982), Massachusetts Institute of Technology of Cape Cod, Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi.
Married Frances Katherine Wallburg, July 26, 1941. Children: Robert Eric, Kathryn Beth.