June 20,1934 - May 9, 2015     Resident of Palo Alto

Ron Olmstead, a fifth generation Californian, passed away peacefully on Saturday, surrounded by family members.

Born in San Jose in 1934, Ron was proud of his heritage as a member of one of Santa Clara Valley's pioneer farm families. He was a graduate of Palo Alto High School where he played football and baseball. Ron was a member of the 1950 Paly football team that went 10-0 under legendary coach, Hod Ray. 

After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Ron worked for many years as an engineer in the aerospace industry before joining his family's summer training camp business, the United Spirit Association. Ron directed USA camps for thousands of young people throughout the Western United States. An early proponent of positive coaching, Ron was one of the founders of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) in the Bay Area and conducted the first AYSO training camps at U.C. Santa Cruz. Ron played a key role in the production of the Opening Ceremonies for Super Bowl XIX, the Olympic Soccer Tournament and the 1994 World Cup.

In retirement, Ron pursued his interest in California history and the Lester/Cilker/Olmstead Family genealogy. He was a prolific storyteller with extensive knowledge of the region's history.
Ron lived in Los Osos, San Juan Bautista, and Mariposa before returning to his roots in Palo Alto. Ron demonstrated courage in his final years, never losing his positive attitude and sense of humor.
Ron is survived by his devoted wife of 28 years, Jo, his children Edward Olmstead and Anne Tierney, his grandson Nico, and his brothers Alan, Doug, and Michael. 

Memorial gifts may be made in Ron's name to the Stanford Medical Center Lymphoma Program at http://stanford.io/1bLfNfQ.
If you would like to send a message, share a story or your favorite photos visit http://www.forevermissed.com/ron-olmstead

Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on May 13, 2015