Olds Family Genealogy & History

Robin Olds, born Robert Oldys Jr., was a distinguished American fighter pilot and brigadier general in the United States Air Force. Known as a "triple ace," Olds achieved 17 victories during World War II and the Vietnam War, earning a reputation as one of the best wing commanders of the Vietnam War. Despite his maverick views, Olds was promoted to brigadier general and served in non-operational roles, such as Commandant of Cadets at the USAF Academy. He was also an accomplished athlete, recognized as an All-American in college football. His storied career was marked by his contributions to strategic bombing and his pioneering role as a jet pilot.

Robin Olds was born into a military family in Honolulu, Hawaii, as the son of Major General Robert Oldys and Eloise Karine Oldys. Raised primarily by his father after his mother's early death, Olds was surrounded by influential military figures, including Major Carl Spaatz. His father, a key advocate of strategic bombing, significantly shaped Olds' dedication to the air service. Olds had one younger brother and several half-siblings from his parents' previous marriages, growing up primarily at Langley Field, Virginia, immersed in military culture.

Ransom E. Olds was a pioneering American entrepreneur in the automotive industry, best known for founding the Olds Motor Vehicle Company and later the REO Motor Car Company. He is credited with creating the first mass-produced automobile, the Oldsmobile Curved Dash, utilizing the modern assembly line. This innovation significantly increased production efficiency, leading to the sale of thousands of vehicles. Olds' work laid the foundation for the American car manufacturing industry, influencing figures like Henry Ford. His contributions to automotive technology also included producing vehicles with steam, electric, and gasoline engines, as well as securing a patent for a diesel engine in 1934.

Ransom E. Olds was born in Geneva, Ohio, to parents Pliny Fiske Olds, a blacksmith and pattern-maker, and Sarah Whipple Olds. The family was of English descent, with roots in Dorset, England. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio, during Olds' childhood before he settled in Lansing, Michigan, where he joined the family business, P.F. Olds & Son. In Lansing, he married Metta Ursula Woodward in 1889, establishing his family life alongside his burgeoning career.

Gabriel Emerson Olds, born on March 24, 1972, in New York City, is a distinguished American actor and writer known for his versatile roles in television, film, and theater. He gained recognition for his portrayal of Pat Robertson in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" (2021) and his Broadway performances, including "A View from the Bridge." Olds has appeared in notable TV series like "Law & Order," "Heroes," and "NCIS." He also contributed to video games such as "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End." His indie film "Apartment 407" won Best Picture at the San Diego International Film Festival in 2017. As a writer, he has penned screenplays and articles for Condé Nast Publications and salon.com.

Sharon Olds is a renowned American poet, celebrated for her candid exploration of family dynamics, abuse, and sexuality in her work. Born on November 19, 1942, Olds has earned prestigious accolades such as the 1980 San Francisco Poetry Center Award, the 1984 National Book Critics Circle Award, and the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. She serves as a creative writing professor at New York University and has directed its Creative Writing Program. Olds' poetry, like her award-winning collection "Satan Says," is known for its raw honesty and emotional depth, drawing inspiration from poets like Galway Kinnell and Gwendolyn Brooks.

Sharon Olds was raised in a strict Calvinist environment in Berkeley, California, amidst a family marked by her father's alcoholism and abusive behavior. Her father's actions, such as tying her to a chair, deeply impacted her life and work. Her mother, often unable or too afraid to intervene, contributed to the challenging family dynamics. Despite these hardships, Olds' upbringing played a significant role in shaping her poetic voice, as she often reflects on these experiences in her powerful and unflinching poetry.