LTC (Ret) David Wolcott Olmsted, age 76, died on October 29, 2022 in his hometown of Lawrence, Kansas surrounded by his loving family after soldiering through a twenty year battle with Parkinsons.
David was born in Lawrence, Kansas on September 3, 1946 to Herbert and Faye (Jones) Olmsted. He went to Lawrence High School where he excelled academically, earning him a congressional recommendation to attend the West Point Military Academy. He graduated with honors in 1968. While a cadet at West Point, David met his wife Jessica, a New Jersey native of Italian heritage, who was the animating force of his life. She extended his serious-mindedness and stoicism with a playfulness and warmth, complimenting his character.
As a young commissioned and newly married Captain in the United States Army, David served in the Vietnam War from July 4, 1970 to July 4, 1971. His first daughter, Kate was born during this time and he was grateful to make it home to meet her. He would later learn that his exposure to Agent Orange during the war was responsible for his diagnosis of Parkinsons in 2003.
After the war, the family moved back to Lawrence where David did his graduate work at The University of Kansas. His son, Peter, was born in 1973 extending the Olmsted legacy in Lawrence. After earning his Masters degree, David returned to West Point as a Professor of English. There his family welcomed another daughter, Beth, in 1975. The family moved five more times, including posts in Germany and at White Sands Missile Range (New Mexico) where David was the public affairs officer during the space shuttle Columbia’s landing in 1982.
David retired from the military in 1992 after a 28 year career. His last post was leading the Wheaton College (Illinois) Army ROTC Program where he was instrumental in mentoring and developing leaders. This final professional chapter was evidence of his faith, leadership and scholarship. As a testament to his influence and example, from this relatively small program there are four Wheaton College ROTC graduates from his tenure who are now Brigadier Generals currently serving in the US Army.
David and Jessica spent the last fifteen years in close vicinity to their children and grandchildren in the Pacific Northwest. David kept the impacts of his disease at bay for many years by doubling down on his love for golf. At his local golf course, The Home Course, he played regularly (shooting an impressive 75 at the age of 68) and worked as a meticulous groundskeeper and welcoming but circumspect course marshal. It was not in him to hurry people on the golf course or in life. He then moved back to Lawrence at the beginning of 2022 to be lovingly cared for by his son Peter and daughter-in-law, Crystal.
David embodied his Christian faith. He was a trusted advisor to many, a wise and balanced counsellor, a teacher who embraced truth and made space for mystery, and a quiet presence. In addition to being an avid golfer, he was also a competitive racquetball player (Illinois state champion at one point!), a broad based sports enthusiast, a master of math problems and Crossword puzzles, and an early adopter of technology who wired his house to be smart before we had the word for it. But, as he said, at his 50th wedding anniversary with his signature, dry self-effacing humor, his greatest delights were his wife, children, and grandchildren.
David is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jessica, and three children along with their spouses: Kate & Brett Ballbach (London, UK), Peter & Crystal Olmsted (Lawrence, KS), and Beth & Matt Maclean (Seattle, WA.) He also had seven grandchildren whom he loved well: Quinn Ballbach, Colin David Ballbach, Lawton Ballbach, Joshua Maclean, Ethan David Olmsted, Rachel Maclean, and Eli Olmsted. He is also survived by a sister, Betsy Faulkner, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Herbert W. Olmsted (April 1973), his brother Robert P. Olmsted (November 2021), and his mother Faye Olmsted Jones April 22, 2022, at the age of 103.
A funeral with full military honors will be held on Veteran’s Day, November 11 2022, at 2:15 pm at Memorial Park Cemetery, Lawrence. A visitation will be held from noon until 2 pm with remarks at 1 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 852, Lawrence, or Wounded Warrior Project, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
To the Olmsted family, we’re sorry we couldn’t be there to celebrate the life of a great man of faith, husband, father and dear friend. Sending love and prayers for God’s comfort to you all.
Jessica & Family, there are not any words excellent enough to capture & express fully just how special you all are. I will try. My heart is with you here in Jerusalem, Israel, sending you all love today. David was a man of high integrity and his love for his family was without question. David was loyal in all of his many duties on earth. When I think about the idea of him being absent now, I feel this overwhelming, powerful assurance he is not far from his family, even in this hour. What David held for his family was above and beyond what many ever experience during their lives and death can not hold that back. He is still ever present. Precious Creator above all, please tell David thank you for being a part of my life, he, side by side with his lovely and most dedicated/precious wife. They, as a couple have given me love & prayer support for over four and one half decades. It began in West Germany when we met in Kitzigen as military families and never stopped from that time on. One amazing gift David and Jess had as a couple is they had the ability to make each and everyone of us, feel like their favourite. Each person they touched, was as if they were the most special. They shared this gift as a couple. Jess will continue on, here with us each, to be expressively warm & bright, knowing the love of her life is not far. She will shine here and as always be more concerned about others and each one of us, than she ever is about her own individual self. She is one who always changes the focus to the other person she is with. No-matter how hard one tries to focus on her, she has a gift to turn it right back and ask: “What about you…how are you? Please tell me. I want to hear everything”. You know she is real and she means what she says. Jess and her forever constant companion David were a compliment in so many ways, to one another, as they reached out to others. I love them and always will. Stay strong dear Jessica. Davids abiding Love is everlasting and has endured all, for he knew nothing but eternal Life giving promises, that he is now reaping fully. Davids family is his legacy that shines on. He nurtured them all of the way through his adult years. The same Light that was with David will continue to shine through them as their lives successfully proceed forward. For the Light that was in David, has only increased now, with no veil to diminish its brilliance. The Light that was within David while on earth, was imparted to each of his offspring and the woman he loved with all of his heart, who bore them. That same Light that never stops and travels on while enfolding us, increasing when our human being makes the ultimate transition. Wow, I sense David’s strength now, where death has no sting. He is free. Well Done Sir. I salute you.
It was always our honor to know and love David and of course our Jess and family.
My love and sympathy to all the family. Wonderful memories of our time together in Wheaton
David and Jessica were wonderful friends and colleagues when we served together. We are very sad to learn of his passing.
Very best wishes to Jessica and family.
Captain Olmsted was my BC (Battery Commander) in Viet Nam. I was drafted out of school at KU in 1969 and went to Nam as a artillery NCO in 1970. I was a gun chief assigned to FSB San Juan Hill where Captain Olmsted was the BC. He was a great bridge player and being one of a handful of bridge players in the battery I was always recruited to join the play. My sympathies to the family of a fellow soldier.
I hadn’t seen David since high school. We grew up in the same Old West Lawrence neighborhood and went to Pickney grade school. He was a good student and clearly a good citizen who served his country well in the military. May he and his spirit be at peace.
You were a good man, one of the good guys. Rest in peace and God bless you and your family Jessica.
Mike Fisher, U.S.M.A. 1968, H-4
SALUTE! REST IN PEACE, BROTHER in Arms.
Go in Peace you have served beyond what is required. John Frinak B2 1968
So sorry to hear of David’s passing. We were both Lawrence High graduates in 1964. Rest In Peace. Thank you for your service.
All our love