Ralph O. Olson

The Honorable
Ralph O. Olson
Justice of the Washington Supreme Court
In office
1951 (1951)–1955 (1955)
Personal details
Born(1902-03-26)March 26, 1902
Alden, Minnesota
DiedJanuary 15, 1955(1955-01-15) (aged 52)
Olympia, Washington
NationalityAmerican
Alma materCarleton College
University of Minnesota Law School
Occupation
  • Judge

Ralph O. Olson (March 26, 1902 – January 15, 1955) was a justice of the Washington Supreme Court from 1951 until his death in 1955.[1][2]

Early life and education

Olson was born in Alden, Minnesota, and earned his bachelor's degree at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.[2][3] He obtained his law degree at the University of Minnesota, where he played football.[1]

Career

After earning his law degree, Olson moved to the state of Washington and was admitted to the bar in 1924. He practiced as an attorney in Bellingham, Washington, until becoming a police judge in 1926. In 1936, he became a judge for the Washington State Superior Court. In 1951, he was appointed as a Washington Supreme Court justice after the retirement of Walter B. Beals and was formally elected as a justice in 1952.[2]

Personal life

He died from a cerebral hemorrhage at St. Peter Hospital on January 15, 1955, at the age of 52.[1] Olson had a wife and several children.[1][2] Following Olson's death, he was succeeded on the court by Richard B. Ott, who took Olson's son, Don Olson, as his law clerk.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Court Justice Stricken In Olympia Home". The Olympian. Olympia, Washington. January 16, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Judge Olson Dies" (PDF). Washington State Bar News. 9 (1): 1. 1955.
  3. ^ Johnson, L.E. (2015). Betas of Achievement II. Beta Theta Pi Foundation. p. 266. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  4. ^ "Ritzville's Judge R. B. Ott Takes Supreme Court Post", The Spokesman-Review (January 25, 1955), p. 26.


Political offices
Preceded by Justice of the Washington Supreme Court
1951–1955 		Succeeded by