By Lisa Morgan –
“Missing the biggest-hearted bear of a man this morning. Russ Olden‘s energy was infectious and his vitality was a force to be reckoned with. Like a supernova, his absence has left a black hole at the center of the universe. He will be missed enormously by all.” These words written by Devin Olden on the wall of his uncle’s Facebook page, eloquently articulate the hearts of hundreds here in the Coachella Valley mourning the absence of the rather large vibrant personality lost to a motorcycle versus car collision in Palm Springs, Monday evening November 5th.
Russ Olden was many things to many people: a father, husband, son, brother, uncle, grandpa, friend, chef, showman, fishing buddy, musician… the list goes on. To sum up whom he was to those of us who were blessed to meet him outside of his treasured family circle, Russ was an entertainer through and through. If he was walking into a room or event, or catering it, he was lighting it up with his big, dimpled smile and personality to match.
Son of Jackie Olden, author of 28 cookbooks and host of the Jackie Olden Show and Jan’s Kitchen radio shows on 94.3 KNEWS FM, Russ was born into a culinary environment. Russ studied at “Buffet College of America”, training that he described as “6 weeks of jamming yourself full of food every day, uuurrrpp, scuse me” (a quote taken directly from his Facebook page) as well as Le Cordon Blue, Pasadena, California. According to wife, Toni Olden, Russ’ mission statement as a chef wherever he was working, be it the House of Blues, Las Vegas, Trader Vick’s, Beverly Hills or his own restaurant and catering, was this: “Everybody leaves with a smile.” And when Russ said “everybody” he meant EVERYBODY, from the dishwashers to regular guests Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. Locally, he worked his top-notch mantra and culinary expertise catering on the set of the movie, “Reunion,” shot in 2005 in Palm Springs, as well as in the decadent buffets he produced weekly for the Sunday Gospel Brunch while owner of the Commissary. He was also a brilliant and irreplaceable host as Kitchen Kitchen’s resident chef and a popular event caterer. More than what he did, was how he did it. As his daughter Kelly describes in her own words to her father, “There are no words that could make everyone comprehend the larger than life character you were. You will be greatly missed daddy! Bigger than the sky and more than the stars.”
If Russ could have made a living at it, he would have left every paying job behind to make music full time. Other than fishing the White River, nothing made him happier according to family members. I can personally attest to his love for music and for playing alongside the guys and gals at the local jam sessions. Folks were always glad when Russ would pack in his collection of harmonicas, one in every key, because when he played and sang with you, he would bring an added energy, heart and soul to the session that only he could bring. I think he brought his harmonicas everywhere. They were even part of his cooking demonstrations.
Russ Olden, 56, of Desert Hot Springs, is survived by his wife, Toni, daughter Kelly Olden, son Russell Olden, two sisters, Theresa Fornator and Karen Pekarcik, mother Jackie Olden, stepfather Tom Andrews and four granddaughters.
The valley’s local musicians will be holding a memorial jam in honor of Russ. The “Russ Olden Celebration of Music and Life” will be held this Sunday, November 18th with a pot luck starting at 1 pm and music from 4pm-8pm at the legendary Dillon Roadhouse where Russ loved to play. Much of Russ’ musical equipment will be on hand for sale to assist the family with funeral costs. Dillon Roadhouse is located at 67647 Dillon Road, North Palm Springs (760) 251-1991.
The family will be holding the official “Celebration of Life” Friday, November 23rd (the Friday following Thanksgiving) from 4-7pm at the Rock Garden in Palm Springs located at 777 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs (760) 327-8840. The public is welcome to attend both events.
While Russ Olden did well to accomplish his mission to have everyone “leave with a smile”, his departure leaves us with a few tears and a void that can only be filled with the many memories of his own radiant smile. Today, for many of us, this world isn’t as loving, as bright, as tasty or as musical as it once was, but man, did heaven ever get lucky.
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