Robert N. Olsen
December 5, 1922 - February 26, 2005
Obituary
Robert N. Olsen
Robert N. Olsen passed from this life on Saturday February 26, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He was 82 years young. Bob was born in Seattle and grew up in the South Park neighborhood, attending Cleveland High School. He served in the Navy during WWII as a seaman on the destroyer U.S.S. Brown, surviving kamikaze attacks and the typhoon during the battle for Okinawa.
Bob was one of those rare people who know exactly what they want to do with their lives and then go out and do it. Bob entered the machinists’ apprentice program at Edison Technical School now Seattle Community College and went to work at Washington Iron Works for over forty years, retiring as machine shop Assistant Superintendent.
Bob took tremendous pride in everything he did, whether at work or at home. He enjoyed taking his family on camping trips, fishing, golfing, and following his Mariners, Seahawks, and Huskies. He leaves behind his loving bride of over 56 years, Irene Jo; sons Larry Diane, Dale, and Dean; daughters Janet Pete Byers, and Barbara Dave Ferguson; grandchildren Dustin, Donovan, Chris, Patrick, and Anna; step-grandchildren Jennifer and Jeff Goodrich; and great-grandchildren Cody, Madison, Jarek, Xavier, Devin, Mya, and Jalia.
The family would like to thank the CCU staff at Valley M.C. for allowing us to fill Bob’s room with family, love, laughter, and tears during his final days and hours. They would also appreciate any remembrances, in lieu of flowers, be made in Bob’s name to the Northwest Kidney Center, whose Cascade Branch staff treated him with so much kindness and respect. There will be a celebration of life for Bob at Rainier Golf and Country Club at noon Thursday March 3.
Good-bye Bob, Daddy, and Grampa. We will love you forever and miss you already.
Dad,
I will always miss the times we shared: the rounds of golf, b.s.’ing around the campfire, arguing politics at the 90’s, and just being around you. These and so many others are cherished memories, yet moments lost in time that I can never have back. I can take some comfort in knowing that you are a part of me that will always be there wherever I go. Your example and guidance made possible all that I am and all I can ever hope to be.
Goodbye, Dad. I hope wherever you are, you can once again swing a club and walk the course, savor a good cigar, and enjoy a few beers and good times with old friends. God knows you deserve that.
Your loving son,
Larry
Dean: I wrap my arms around you & give you a giant hug. I whisper a prayer for you.
To the BEST DAM GOLFING Partner I ever had, you were like a Father, Brother and one of the best friends I have ever had…
Thank you again for alouing me to be part of your beautyful FAMILY WITH OUT YOU AND YOUR BEAUTYFUL WIFE Jomy other mother, I would not have had the courage to stay…and NOW I have a wonderfull SON Christerpher ROBERT Pruitt and I know in my heart and sole that you Sir are just as PROUD of him as I…
You will always be in my thoughts, and fore give be for not being as tough as you were in the Famially department , not to say you didn’t try and help. I was just to set in my own ways…
In my eyes you were my HEARO, and now you are in a better place, because This is HELL, that we are living…
So from a son-in-law, and from one Veteran to another, thank you for doing your DUTY, AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND AMERICA…
HAVE A COLD ONE ON ME…
Yours truly,
Dennis F. Pruitt
Goodbye Bob, you’re my favorite grandparent in-law and very funny. :