Olsen, Ralph A. (1901-1982)

Ralph A. Olsen was born June 13, 1901, in Ellsworth, Iowa, to Nels Peter and Julia (Sexe) Olsen. He graduated from Ellsworth School (1919) and received a B.S. (1923) in animal science from Iowa State College (University). While a student at Iowa State, he was involved with the Block and Bridle Club, the Men's Glee Club, and the Theta Delta Chi fraternity.

Upon graduation from Iowa State, he began farming near Ellsworth, Iowa, and became active in organizing cooperatives. Throughout his life, he was involved in agribusiness and a variety of farm organizations. Olsen served as secretary of the Ellsworth and Williams Co-op, president of the Boone Valley Co-op, president of SoyCot Sales Inc., and a board member of Farmland Foods. He also traveled extensively to study and promote agriculture, including visits to India and the USSR.

He was also active as an Iowa State alumnus. Olsen was a founding member of the Iowa State University Cyclone Club, and he served in leadership positions on the Board of Governors of the Iowa State University Foundation, the Iowa State Alumni Association, the Athletic Council, and the Memorial Union Board of Directors. Olsen received several honors for his service, including a Centennial Citation (1958) and a Memorial Union Service Medallion (1978). He was named "Cy's Favorite Alum" in 1962 and served as the marshal of the VEISHEA parade in 1981. In 1974, Olsen donated $250,000 to the Iowa State Foundation for completion of the football stadium, and in 1976, the University named the Ralph A. Olsen athletics administration building in his honor.

Olsen married Genevieve Johnson in 1925 and they had two children, Neil Peter Olsen and Patricia May Yunclas. After Genevieve passed away in 1977, Olsen married Bonita Person in 1978. He passed away in 1982.