Robert Olsen, a retired chemical engineer who had a second career in counseling, died peacefully Jan. 18, 2018, at age 79.

Olsen graduated from the City College of New York in 1961. He then earned a master’s degree in plastics from Princeton in 1963. He began his career with 3M in Minnesota, and joined King Industries as a chemical engineer before retiring after 30 years.

He then earned a master’s degree in career counseling at Fairfield University and began a new career fulfilling his desire to help people. Olsen’s love of children also led him to become a volunteer reader at schools in Bridgeport, Conn.

Olsen is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jo; a daughter; four stepsons; many grandchildren; as well as two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son.

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