Richard Edward Olson

Richard Edward Olson was born in Seattle on July 20, 1932 to Mary and Edward Olson. Richard is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Lee, to whom he was married for nearly 53 years; their two daughters, Anissa Olson of Seattle and Dorene Olson of St. Louis, Missouri. Richard was the second of five boys and is survived by his brother, Gary Olson. Richard was proud to have been raised in Ballard and that he served in the US Navy. He studied to become a Catholic and was baptized in the Church before he married Nancy in 1964. He was enormously funny and a consummate prankster to the joy and surprise of his family and friends. He raised his daughters gently, sharing Dorene’s love of animals and fostering Anissa’s joy in gardening and home hobbies. He spent Saturday mornings over hot chocolate and donuts with his young girls before wending his way to his parents’ home in Ballard, one garage sale at a time. He remained a faithful son to his mother with these weekly visits, and he made every holiday and birthday a special one. During his years at Boeing, Richard relocated to New Jersey and Ohio for consultation assignments. He and Nancy enjoyed these years by exploring the surrounding states. His career as a hospital administrator started at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, and took him to Saudi Arabia and around the world for six amazing years. His vacation time in the early family years was always spent with his wife and children, making sand castles at Cannon Beach, visiting relatives, or lazing on the bank of the Columbia River. When the family moved overseas and vacations took on an adventurous spirit, Richard didn’t book a lot of hotel rooms in advance or ask for many directions along the way. He did, however, find his way to every street market in every corner of every town all over the world. He collected treasures that delighted him throughout the rest of his life. Richard retired with Nancy in Olympia, where he pursued his hobbies in the garden and in the garage, tinkering with a convoy of cars that came and went. His life-long love of animals included 12 years until 2016 with his very strange cat, Nellie. He was a 17-year survivor of lung cancer, and he became very spiritual in the later years of his life. Richard passed away peacefully at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017. His humor and generosity will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. Please leave memories of Richard or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.