Early in the morning of June 4, Dr. Fred C. Olson left this world after a three-year battle with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. He died at his home, in the arms of his wife and two sons, following a month of insurmountable complications.
Fred was born August 16, 1949, in Rochester, NY, to Fay (Hazelwood) Olson and Ingwald (Ole) Olson, the second in a family of one daughter and four sons. Fred grew up a child of the 50s and 60s, he roamed with neighborhood friends, threw snowballs and rocks, broke his Dad’s hunting bow trying to string it using a vice, and painted the family car with white house paint. Despite such misadventures, his Mom and Dad provided love and direction. Annual summer car vacations always included a visit to his Dad’s family in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He cherished his childhood and recalled memories often and fondly.
Fred attended Lehigh University starting in 1967, majoring in biology. He went on to earn a PhD and complete postdoctoral research in biochemistry at SUNY Buffalo and subsequently his M.D., also in SUNY Buffalo, in 1981. Fred held a passion for medicine and earning his M.D. was an incredibly proud achievement for his entire family.
From Buffalo, he moved to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI. There he completed his internal medicine residency and served on the staff of the hospital for an additional two years. Fred met his future wife, Dr. Lee Harrison, during his residency and took the biggest leap of his life in marrying and moving west to begin a private practice in internal medicine in Helena, MT, in 1986.
Fred’s first years in Montana were an adjustment but he learned to appreciate this beautiful state, fishing and hunting, floating rivers, and riding horses at the Kelsey family dude ranch in the Madison Range. He was an avid golfer and spent many truly blissful days with his friends Steve Browning and Terry Cosgrove on the course at Green Meadow Country Club, whose beautiful surroundings provided a refuge for contemplation in every season.
Lee and Fred had two sons, Christopher and Patrick, and worked in a medical practice together for 18-years, developing a lifelong friendship with their partner Dr. Ken Eden. After many years caring for his beloved patients, Fred pursued a new challenge in 2001 by moving to medical administration, first serving as the Medicare Medical Director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, then as Chief Medical Officer, and finally as Executive Vice President from 2005-2013.
In 2015 he left retirement to serve as the Interim CEO at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena. It was the hardest job of his life and the one he was most proud of, helping to steer the hospital towards a new era of stewardship and community service.
Multi-talented, Fred was known for his love of home improvement and cooking. Part engineer, part chef, he could reliably be found excavating the yard or cooking superb meals for his family and friends. He approached each of these endeavors with diligence, whether adding a 10th coat of varnish to a woodworking project or cooking for an entire wedding party.
Fred eventually built a summer home with his brother, Richard, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan – the scene of his father’s upbringing and so many happy childhood memories. The project was a labor of love that brought him closer to his eastern family and their Yooper roots.
Fred was also a quiet person, comfortable with silence, who took pleasure in observation. Whether it was gleaning the habits of the animals he’d see on his daily walks or studying the schedules and cargos on discarded train manifests he’d find next to the tracks by his house. Above all though, Fred was a devoted father and friend, who was universally relied on for his steadiness, humility, warmth, and ability to put others at ease.
The last years of Fred’s life found him creating beautiful furniture and remodeling his house following a bone marrow transplant and ongoing chemotherapy. He lived fully and managed his disease with bravery and grace until the end.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Lee Harrison; sons: Christopher (Ari Turrentine) and Pat (Joelle Luongo); sister, Susan Fuess (Jay); and brothers: Cliff (Diane), Richard (Martie) Doug (Barb); as well as many nieces and nephews.
Fred and the family wish to thank Dr. Justin Thomas and Dr. Andy Gilbert, their offices, and staff at Bozeman Deaconess and St. Peter’s Hospital infusion clinics for their superb care. A special thank you to Terry Cosgrove, dear friend and mentor, and to Fred’s brother Richard, who kept Fred connected to his East Coast family these last three years.
A celebration of Fred’s life will be held at Green Meadow Country Club on June 18, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
Memorials may be sent to the Fred C. Olson Education Endowment at St. Peter’s Health, Prickly Pear Land Trust, or to a charity of choice.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday June 18, 2022
Green Meadow Country Club
2720 Country Club Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday June 18, 2022
Green Meadow Country Club
2720 Country Club Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
jeff and melissa sherlock says
Our community has lost a giant. Not only was Fred a talented physician and administrator, but he was a incredibly talented woodworker. He was always willing to lend a hand. When the local hospital needed an administrator, Fred stepped up and lent a hand. We think he would have rather been golfing or building a cabinet of some sort.
in his professional and personal life, Fred had a lot of which to be proud. In spite of his own accomplishments, he was always speaking of how proud he was of his sons, Pat and Chris, and his wife Lee. Truth be told, he was also pretty darn proud of his Italian belt sander as well.
We will miss him, his laugh and the twinkle in his eye. Melissa and Jeff
Dudley Williams says
Dr. Olson was my primary care Doctor & friend. He was missed when he changed direction in the medical field. A very good physician & person . My sincerest condolences to Lee & his family.
Cynde Watkins says
Lee, I’m so sorry to hear this. If there is anything I can do please contact me.
Mary Kay Bennett says
I am so sorry, Lee!
My friend Julie Ward is broken-hearted.
Pat Kessner says
Dr. Harrison and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I am sorry for your loss.
Nicole Clark says
Lee I am so sorry. He was such a great asset to our community and such a wonderful person. If there is anything I can do please let me know. If you would like me I get the docs donating to his education fund or other commitments please let me know.
Larry & Kim Kurokawa says
Dr. Harrison and family – we are so saddened to hear of Dr. Olson’s passing. He was a phenomenal human being and a great physician. I can still vividly remember him working side by side with me for several hours one evening with a patient; I was so grateful for his skill and calming presence.
Larry says Fred made a good neighbor to the golf course and enjoyed their many conversations. As the Sherlocks stated, he was a giant and we are blessed to have known him. May his soul rest in peace.
Marcia Rohrer says
Dr. Harrison, family, and friends – I’m so very sorry for your loss. I am most fortunate to have spent time with Fred while he was SPH’s interim CEO and then during his service as a Director of the Board. I experienced the calming presence that Kim Kurokawa remembered. I also learned a great deal about the power of listening, diplomacy, steadiness, and a warm smile. As you know, Fred was not a figure-head. He worked 12+ hours nearly every day during his interim role and never complained. (He did, however, always have a dinner plan.) His leadership and his commitment to our community played an understated and valuable role in righting the ship.
I miss Fred’s stories, quite humor, and humility. Fred didn’t like the attention paid to him when we tried to express our gratitude for the time he gave SPH. I hope our gratitude and admiration brings you a measure of peace during this difficult time.
Glen J Cuchine says
I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Olson when he consulted at Montana Developmental Center in Boulder, MT. His compassion, knowledge and sense of humor will always be remembered. Without doubt your many happy memories of Fred will bring a smile to your faces through the tough days ahead.
Sandi Meyers says
Dr. Lee Harrison and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are and will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days to come. ♥️
Sandi
Margo Hoare says
Dr. Olson was the best “boss” I ever had at BCBS. He was fun to be around, a great listener, a great laugher, and treated us as coworkers not employees. He was genuinely interested in our daily operations, no matter how small our part, and always had good suggestions and solutions, and cared. I am sorry to the family for your greatest loss.
Gary and Mary Spaulding says
Dear Lee, Chris, and Patrick,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Gary was so happy to have him as his doctor and missed him a lot when he left his practice. We know how much he meant to all of you.
You are in our prayers and thoughts.
Deb Kralicek says
Lee,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I remember his kindness and compassion he showed to my Dad. We were so blessed.
Deb
Kim Waples says
Dr. Lee,
Blessings and hugs to you and your family.
Mary Runkel says
Dear Lee and family,
Dr Olson was a compassionate person regardless of his role, as physician, BCBS administrator, or our hospital administrator. He touched many lives in his career.
Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
Sherry Ramuta says
Lee, I have been thinking about you and your family the last few weeks. I think about the influence and assistance you and Dr Olsen have provided to our community over the last 25-30+ years. It’s absolutely amazing. I pray that love and light will fill you and your sons lives as you embark on this new path. Miss you Lee. Sherry Ramuta
Lynne & Jim Maierle says
Fred was a gift to the Helena community in so many ways. Our thoughts & prayers R with Lee & all the family
Meg Ruoff says
I knew the whole Olson clan as I was the youngest child of family friends.
As I have entered my older years, I have thought of those treasured childhood memories spent with the Olson family. We played pool in their family room, skated in their side yard, had cookouts and spent evenings decorating Fayes Christmas cookies.
I was just a kid as Fred was 13 yrs older than me. He always treated me with kindness. He answered my repetitive childish questions without showing any hesitation or frustration at a child pestering an adult. I remember when he was studying to become a MD. I was just a child watching someone follow their dream.
Lee, Christopher and Patrick, your husband, your father was a kind, gentle human even as a young man. I am very sorry for for your loss.