Johannes I. Olsen PhD, first principal at Williamsville East Jan. 17, 1933 - Sept. 1, 2014 Johannes Ingebret Olsen, Williamsville East High School's first principal, died Monday in his Williamsville home after a long illness. He was 81. Mr. Olsen came to the Buffalo area in 1975 to become principal of the newly opened high school after completing his doctorate in education in 1974 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. After he retired in 1995, he served as an adjunct professor at Canisius College until 2009, teaching courses in adolescent education. Born in Kingston, he earned his bachelor's degree from City College of New York and served in the Army infantry from 1955 to 1957, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. He later received a master's degree from Auburn University. Before coming to Williamsville, he served as an assistant high school principal in Burnt Hills and Tarrytown and as high school principal in Hinesburg, Vt. After receiving his doctorate, he taught for a year at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He was a past Western Zone president for the New York State Retired Teachers Association and served as district governor for District 7090, Rotary International, in Western New York and Southern Ontario in 1998-99. In 1985, he received the James E. Allen Award for distinguished service to educational administration. Williamsville East gives a scholarship in his name and has designated an area on school grounds as Olsen's Wood. Long associated with the North American Lutheran Church, Mr. Olsen was a church organist and choir director, a Bible study leader, a member of the church board and a delegate to regional and national assemblies. He was a chairman for Young Life, a nondenominational group that works with youth. He served as treasurer of the Robert R. DeCormier Memorial Trust Fund, which assists needy retired educators. He also was a past president of the Amherst Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Olsen was the beloved husband of 56 years of Phyllis (Isaksen) Olsen; loving father of Elisabeth (David) Sturdevant, Jonathan (Kimberly) Olsen, Laura (Charles) Bernabei, Kristen (Stephen) Parisi and Peter (Amy) Olsen; cherished grandfather of Jonathan (Amanda), Amy (Joseph), Daniel (Christa), Andrew (Samantha), Krista (Matthew), Katherine, Nicholas, Erika, Stephen, Madeline and Helene; devoted great-grandfather of seven. The family will be present to receive friends Friday 2-4 and 6-9 PM at BEACH-TUYN FUNERAL HOME, INC. 5541 Main Street (at Cayuga Rd.) Williamsville. Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service Saturday morning at 10 o'clock in Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 8900 Sheridan Dr., Clarence, 14031. Please assemble at church. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Young Life Buffalo North, 2130 Clinton St. Buffalo, NY 14206 or PTSA Dr. Johannes I. Olsen Award, 151 Paradise Rd. E. Amherst, NY 14051.