Dr. Raymond Olson, the second president of California Lutheran College, died peacefully on Sat., Oct. 21. He was 96.

Highly admired at what's known today as California Lutheran University, Olson served as president for eight years after founding president Dr. Orville Dahl stepped down in 1963. A former general secretary for stewardship of the American Lutheran Church, Olson and his wife, Helen, came to the Thousand Oaks college in 1963, just two years after it opened.

The Olsons met while studying at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, in 1931. Helen completed a teaching degree at Waldorf and served as a teacher for four years, while Ray attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., where he later completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in theology.

Named president emeritus in 1983, Olson remained closely connected and supportive of the university. As members of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, the Olsons have been involved in numerous projects in the Lutheran Church and in the Thousand Oaks community.

"Without a doubt, Ray Olson left the mark of his generous spirit and his steadfast commitment at CLU, in the Lutheran Church, among his family and loved ones and throughout the Conejo Valley community," said Dr. John Sladek, president of CLU.

Olson is survived by his wife, Helen, three children-Eloise Cohen, Signe Rich and Rolf Olson-and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Fri., Oct. 27 at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks. The campus community will

honor the memory of Dr. Olson during a memorial 10 a.m. service in Samuelson Chapel on Fri., Nov. 17.