Jan 15, 2014 3 min read

At about 6 feet tall and healthier than men half his age, 77-year-old Dean Olson knows how to live an active lifestyle. Now a resident at Friendship Village in Upper St. Clair, Olson grew up in Minnesota, where he learned to ski – an activity he still participates in once a week.

“(Out west) is really where you get hooked on skiing,” he said as he perched in a straight-backed chair in Friendship Village’s comfortable dining area. Clad in a plaid shirt with glasses perched on his nose, the man looked every bit the outdoors-loving Minnesotan he claimed to be. “The hills are a lot bigger and (it’s) a lot more fun.”

Though 77, Olson fills his days with golf, skiing, and the occasional polka dance with Friendship Village’s executive director. Olsen used to polka with his wife, until she was physically incapable of doing it anymore.

“I think he’s healthier than I am,” director of resident services Tracy Mallory said. “He likes to be involved. He didn’t come here to retire.”

In one of his first conversations with residents at Friendship Village, Olsen recalls asking a man, “What’re you doing here?” The man looked him straight in the face and answered, “I’m here to die.”

Olson has a different outlook.

“My philosophy is, I’m one of the younger ones here, I better give back while I can do it, because the day is coming when I can’t,” he said.

Olson’s days are spent skiing at Seven Springs, playing golf at the local golf course, or stopping at committee meetings and making Excel spreadsheets for milk deliveries. He’s also a member of the Troubadours, a men’s singing group, and president of the residency association.

“When I see him walking, (he) has a purpose,” Mallory added. “Mr. Olsen has a smile when asking a question that makes you want to say OK.”

Olsen’s smile must have made at least one successful appearance, considering his request for iPad classes met with success. After making his request, the center arranged for Upper St. Clair high school students to come in and teach the residents how to use the iPads.

Olsen’s activities as president of the residency board will continue into next year, and he hopes to try something new like taking some classes. Even more importantly, he will continue golfing and skiing. “I’ve always been chasing the freebie,” Olson said, referring to the age he can finally ski for free. “(The) age now is 80, I think. That’s my next challenge.”