Olson, a Republican, moved to Alaska in 1977 where he lived in Anchorage until 1982 when he moved to Kenai. He lived in Kenai until 1995, before finally moving to Soldotna.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy expressed his condolences on behalf of himself and his family to Olson’s family and loved ones, “Rose and I are saddened by the passing of Kurt Olson. In addition to dedicating years of his life to serving Alaska in the legislature, he also served all America through his time in the Air Force,” said Governor Dunleavy. “Rose and I send our most sincere condolences to his family.”
The governor has ordered flags to be flown half-staff from sunrise on Tuesday, Nov. 14 until sunset on Wednesday Nov. 15.
“Kurt’s commitment to the Peninsula was unwavering,” said Senator Jesse Bjorkman. “His years of fighting for the Kenai Peninsula helped build our community to what it is today. We thank you, Kurt, for what you have provided to this community and our great state. The Bjorkman family send our deepest condolences to Barbara and all of Kurt’s friends and family.”
“Kurt was a man of integrity and served the people of the Kenai Peninsula with the utmost respect for his community,” said Senate President Gary Stevens. “After his legislative career, he continued engaging in public service for the betterment of Alaska. I thank Kurt for his dedication and pass our legislative family’s sympathies to his wife, Barbara, his children, and grandchildren.”
Olson graduated from California’s Cupertino High School in 1966, and joined the U.S. Air Force after graduation. He completed college at California State University Long Beach after being honorably discharged from the Air Force and moved to Alaska in 1977.
Olson worked as an Alaska legislative aide, insurance broker for Commercial Lines, and custom seafood processor in Kenai.
In addition to his time in the Alaska Legislature, Olson also served two years on the Soldotna City Council and eight years on the Central Emergency Services Service Area Board of Directors.