Meet Our Donors
Mr. Norman Charles Olsen
Norman Charles Olsen was born on Staten Island in January 1925. After the death of his father, the family moved to Rahway, NJ. They all joined Trinity (United) Methodist Church, where he remained a member until his death in April 2015.
After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served aboard the USS Boston. He was aboard ship in Tokyo Bay on August 14, 1945, when it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies.
For most of his working life, Norman was employed as an electrician. He was married to his first wife, Mary, until her death in 1986. Their union produced one daughter, Karen Olsen Goodwin. Norman married Eleanor in 1993, and they enjoyed 22 years together. His family, both immediate and extended, was a very important part of his life.
Norman could often be heard whistling, and he would sometimes break into a bit of a song, especially those that were popular in the '30s and '40s. He was an avid stamp collector, and also enjoyed gardening and traveling. As a member of Trinity, he served as an usher and teller and was a member of the United Methodist Men.
Because of his prudent spending and investing habits, Norman provided a comfortable life for his family. Upon his passing, Karen decided that she would tithe from her inheritance, and that Africa University would receive a significant portion of it to establish an endowed scholarship in her father's memory.