His students spoke of how he was a mentor.

Danielle Campanella, with whom he had a friendly repartee over the Jets (her team) versus the Steelers (his), said his "students had no choice but to be inspired."

Another former student said he was a Republican and that he wants to go into law enforcement, but he learned more from Olson than any other teacher.

"Thank you, professor," he said. "We'll take it from here."

'A BETTER PERSON'

His fellow activists in the Repeal Coalition said he stood side-by-side with them, not in front of them. One led the crowd in a chant. She yelled "Joel!" and the crowd responded with "¡presente!" -- or "present."

His sister Wendy said Joel always stood up for the underdog, and as a little boy formed the "Secret Society Against Bullies" with a friend. He washed dishes as a teen to save up for his first truck. He was always into punk rock; as a young man he wore long hair and tattered jeans.

She said she lived in his shadow and was glad to do so. In high school he was offered a full-ride scholarship to Arizona State University and a half-ride to Stanford. She said out of practicality and humility, he went with ASU.