Honoring
Bob Olsen

Robert Joseph Olsen (Bob Olsen), age 93, passed away peacefully at his home in Nashville, Tennessee on August 7, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. 

Bob was well-known in Nashville as a newscaster at WSM-TV with subsequent careers in law and state government. 

Bob was born September 23, 1931 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His mother Phyllis married Einar Olsen, and together they raised Bob and his two younger brothers, Richard and Don. 

Bob attended public schools, graduating from Ft. Hamilton High School in 1949. In 1953, Bob earned a B.A. from St. John’s University in New York. That same year, Bob joined the U.S. Marine Corps and deployed as an infantry officer to Korea. He was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant.

Upon returning to New York, he worked for United Airlines while taking broadcasting classes.

Bob’s broadcasting career began in 1956, at WCBI-TV, in Columbus, Mississippi. He later worked at WKRG-TV in Mobile, Alabama before coming to Nashville in 1960 to join WSM-TV (now WSMV-TV). 

In his almost 15 years at WSM, Bob became a popular member of the news team – serving as weatherman, reporter, and news anchor. He co-hosted “Opry Almanac” with Ralph Emery and interviewed Nashville’s country music stars of the time. In 1963, Bob welcomed his daughter, Kirsten, into the world and proudly introduced her to viewers. In 1970, Bob became Director of Action News, a consumer-oriented investigative unit at WSM-TV. 

Through his enthusiasm for consumer advocacy, Bob decided to pursue a law degree and earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School in 1975. He passed the bar and became active in the legal community.

In 1975, Bob ran for Congress in a special election and later held leadership roles in state government before rounding out his work years in healthcare law. 

Bob was committed to charitable work. He served as Board Chair of the Middle Tennessee Heart Association, was a founding member of the Vanderbilt Center for Fertility and Reproductive Research and served on various boards. 

Outside of work, Bob became a glider pilot, ran a travel club and was a left-handed competitive tennis player. 

After retiring in the late 1990s, Bob was able to slow down and enjoy family, friends and hobbies. He frequently visited Tallahassee, Florida to spend time with his daughter, son-in-law and cherished grandson. He spent time with his best friend Wanda, and they remained close until his death. He took trips with his brothers, played with his cat, Katie, and visited with his long-time friends. He was well-read, enjoyed gadgets, and loved Italian food.

Bob is remembered for his intelligence, humor, style and good looks – with dark hair, blue eyes and a warm, smooth baritone voice that everyone loved. 

He is survived by his daughter, Kirsten Olsen-Doolan (Francis), and his grandson, John Olsen-Doolan; His brother, Richard Olsen (Maureen) and nieces, Sara Farner and Hillary Olsen; Brother Don Olsen (Luisa) and nephews Doug Olsen and Drew Olsen; his dear friend, Wanda Butler, his neighbor, Jeanette Schatz, and family and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Phyllis and Einar Olsen and wife Betty Jayne Lawrence Olsen (mother of his daughter, Kirsten). 

Bob passed away at home in hospice care with congestive heart failure and other conditions.

Family and friends are invited to attend a virtual Celebration of Life for Bob on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 3 p.m. Central Time. Please register below.

Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton funeral home in Nashville is handling arrangements.

If you would like to contact Bob’s family, please reach out here.