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Robert C. Olsen
08/19/1916 — 08/03/2007
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Seaside Park, New Jersey
Robert C. Olsen
Robert Clarence Olsen age 90 passed away on August 3, 2007 in Richland Washington. Robert was born in Sea Side Park NJ on August 19, 1916 to Claus John Olsen and Petra Skarbovik Olsen. The family resided in Ship Bottom NJ until moving to Spring Lake Heights, NJ where Robert graduated Manasquan High School in 1937. Robert attended the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kingspoint, joined the Merchant Marines during the war and sailed in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and the Pacific. He was wounded by friendly fire while in the Pacific. After the war he was commissioned into the US Naval Reserve where he served until the mid 1960 before being retired as a Second Lieutenant. He held his Masters unlimited tonnage pilots license for sea going vessels.
In 1947 he married Anne Karsnak in Perth Amboy NJ. He lived in Carteret NJ while building his house in Sea Girt, NJ with his father and brother. In November, 1952 they had a son Khris Bob Olsen. The family moved to Sea Girt, NJ in 1956 where he resided until moving to Richland in 2005 to be with his family. He was an active member of the congregation at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Manasquan, NJ. He was superintendent of Sunday School for 40 years and a councilman for the church.
For enjoyment in retirement he loved to travel, visiting Europe and Scandinavia several times, skiing, piloting and flying private aircraft, playing golf, and drinking good red wine with his close friends. He was a former partner in Seth Ryan Winery where he enjoyed the wine making process from grape crushing to bottling the wine. He loved wine, women, and roses! He loved to party with his very special friends in the Tri-Cities.
Robert is predeceased by his wife Anne Olsen, his brothers William, Oscar, and Charles and his sister Louise Morris. He is survived by his sister Pearl Strohmenger, his son Khris B. Olsen, daughter-in-law Christine B. Olsen, granddaughter Jessica Ann Olsen and grandson Seth Christopher Olsen.
Donations may be made to Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice, 2108 W. Entiat Ave, Kennewick WA 99336 or your local Hospice Chapter in Roberts name.
A memorial service will be held at Einans Funeral Home 915 B-Pass Highway, Richland, WA on Monday August 6 at 7:00 PM.
You will always be missed. Margaret
Khris, I am so sorry about Uncle Robert we have so many memories of him and Aunt Ann. Hope all is well with you and your family. Please let me know when the service at Holy Trinity Church will be. Peace, Bo
Dear Khris & family, So sorry to hear about the passing of your father. My family and I thought the world of him. He was a hoot! I used to sit in the pew behind him. He did like to laugh and have a good time. I’m sure you will miss him dearly. What an interesting life your father had. I was surprised to read that he was a graduate of Manasquan H.S. We’re going to look him up on the yearbook hotline. Just wanted to let you know how loved he was here. Thanks for having a memorial back here for him. Our deepest sympathies, The McLaughlin Family
Out of all the memories that I have a best-a-far Robert Olsen, which includes the trip to New Jersey to stay at his house where many donuts and sun tea were consumed, and not to mention the tying of my tie, which had to be done by wrapping his arms around me from behind –> little awkward at the time; the big thing that I will take away from my relationship with best-a-far, is that, the relationship. Over the years, he always accepted me and made me truly feel like part of the family. And over the years he was able to fill the void that I had from the loss of my grandfathers, and within the past years I can truly say that I looked to best-a-far, as a grandfather. He was witty, funny, intelligent, love-able, open-hearted/open-armed man, who loved a good beer, some cheese, and just having a good time; oh and not to forget the ladies. I will forever miss him; however, I know he was too big of presence to go away in death, for he will always be around in thought, in memory, and in numerous stories which will most likely always end in a laugh. I hope that I was able to give something to him, in the time I knew him, because he gave me more than one would ever know. I have and always will refer to him as best-a-far or in english, grandpa.
You will always be missed. Margaret
Khris, I am so sorry about Uncle Robert we have so many memories of him and Aunt Ann. Hope all is well with you and your family. Please let me know when the service at Holy Trinity Church will be. Peace, Bo
Dear Khris & family, So sorry to hear about the passing of your father. My family and I thought the world of him. He was a hoot! I used to sit in the pew behind him. He did like to laugh and have a good time. I’m sure you will miss him dearly. What an interesting life your father had. I was surprised to read that he was a graduate of Manasquan H.S. We’re going to look him up on the yearbook hotline. Just wanted to let you know how loved he was here. Thanks for having a memorial back here for him. Our deepest sympathies, The McLaughlin Family
Out of all the memories that I have a best-a-far Robert Olsen, which includes the trip to New Jersey to stay at his house where many donuts and sun tea were consumed, and not to mention the tying of my tie, which had to be done by wrapping his arms around me from behind –> little awkward at the time; the big thing that I will take away from my relationship with best-a-far, is that, the relationship. Over the years, he always accepted me and made me truly feel like part of the family. And over the years he was able to fill the void that I had from the loss of my grandfathers, and within the past years I can truly say that I looked to best-a-far, as a grandfather. He was witty, funny, intelligent, love-able, open-hearted/open-armed man, who loved a good beer, some cheese, and just having a good time; oh and not to forget the ladies. I will forever miss him; however, I know he was too big of presence to go away in death, for he will always be around in thought, in memory, and in numerous stories which will most likely always end in a laugh. I hope that I was able to give something to him, in the time I knew him, because he gave me more than one would ever know. I have and always will refer to him as best-a-far or in english, grandpa.
Khris, sorry to hear about your dad. I never knew growing up how much cool stuff he had done. Let me know by e-mail whem memorial service is if you can.
My Sympathies, Jack
Incredible man, unforgettable grandfather…I will forever miss Best-a-far but will never forget his spirit and what great things he stood for.
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Robert C. Olsen