Oliver Arthur Chilson

May 29, 1951 – March 16, 2021

Oliver Arthur Chilson, 69, of Laramie, died Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at Ivinson Memorial Hospital. He was born on May 29, 1951, to John R. and Lois Mayme (Else) Chilson in Rugby, N.D., but childhood and teenage years were spent in Greybull where he graduated from high school. He continued his education in Laramie at the University of Wyoming. In 1972, he married his first love, Valerie Mowel. Both graduated from the University in 1974, Valerie earned a degree in “high school education” and Oliver earned a Bachelor of Science diploma. 

Oliver for some time worked for the University as a hazardous waste disposal manager, then for a few years owned the Travel Inn. Valerie died of cancer in 1997. In 1999, as a Peace Corps volunteer,  Oliver went for two years to Poland, where he met Ewa Anna Piotrowska. He married Ewa in 2000 and both came to Laramie in 2001. After coming back from Poland, Oliver worked for the City of Laramie in the wastewater plant for several years, then volunteered as a driver at the Eppson Center delivering lunches for seniors – which he fully enjoyed. 

He had nature of an environmentalist, loved the mountains and the prairie. His preferred way of spending time was driving through the prairie or mountains looking for the critters while his wife Ewa was taking pictures.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Valerie; and his brother-in-law, Wayne Schaefer.

He is survived by his wife, Ewa Chilson of Laramie and her daughter, Matilda Macias (Rafal) of Poland; his sister, Sherry Schaefer of Seattle, Wash., and her children, Bart Schaefer and Tina Ostlund; Tina’s children, Jake and Kelsey; his step grandchildren, Irena and Maja Macias of Poland; his sister-in-law, Wiesia Urban and her son, Mateusz Urban of Poland; his brother-in-law Marek Wasilonek and his wife Jola of Canada and sister-in-law Teresa of Poland.

A celebration of Oliver’s life will be held May 29, 2021 at the family home.  Go to www.montgomerystryker.com to send condolences or to sign the online guestbook.