Erling Johan Olsen

Erling Johan Olsen was born in Oslo, Norway in 1933. For ninety-three years, this kind, generous, inquisitive, brilliant person was a light in the lives of his family, friends, and colleagues. Living through the German invasion of Norway during World War II may have helped shape Erling’s exceptionally principled character. He held unqualified respect and consideration for every individual and all peoples. He remained a proud and loyal citizen of Norway all his life and lived by the shared Norwegian and American principle of “liberty and justice for all.” His greatest joys were his family, his work, and “friluftsliv,” the Norwegian concept of outdoor living for holistic wellbeing.

After completing secondary school, Erling served in the Norwegian Air Force, rising to the rank of sergeant. This experience led to his career in professional mechanical engineering. He completed his technical degree in mechanical engineering in Göteborg, Sweden and then immigrated to Seattle by way of Vancouver, B.C., where he continued his engineering studies while working as a berry picker and mailman, among other jobs.

Erling was hired in 1959 by the Seattle architectural firm, John Graham & Company (later DLR Group), which became one of the first full-service design firms in the country. Erling was employed there until he retired in the early 2000s. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington as well as post-graduate studies at the University of Alaska. His career was filled with meaningful accomplishment and leadership. His achievements speak to his belief in pushing to higher levels of innovation and excellence. He was part of the design teams for The Space Needle and The Edgewater Hotel. Some of his other early projects included The Westin Hotel in Seattle, the Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu, HI, and the Federal Building and US Courthouse in Anchorage, Alaska. Later in his career, he was a lead engineer for projects such as the Federal Building and US Courthouse in Seattle and the Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis. For his work on the Seattle Federal Building and US Courthouse, Erling was awarded First Place (Institutional/Commercial) by ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) for Energy Efficient Building Systems, of which he was a lifetime member. This was the first of other awards to follow, including national recognition in 1999 for “unusual distinction and substantial contributions” to his field.

As Erling’s career grew and took hold in Seattle, his Norwegian sporting roots found purchase in the Puget Sound region. The endless waterways, snowy mountains, and temperate summers offered him ample opportunities for friluftsliv. He spent days off paddling his kayak, riding his bike, and cross-country skiing or hiking through the Olympics and Cascades. His kids will tell you he was not an easy man to keep up with in any of those activities. He continued his cycling (on hilly Bainbridge Island) all the way into his 90th year. Throughout his retirement, he’d frequently ride over 1000 miles per year.

Most folks who met Erling commented on the twinkle in his eyes. A man of few, well- chosen words, it was nevertheless easy to read his face and know what he held dear—a technical conundrum, a new gadget, an adventure, and most of all, his family. His 58-year marriage with Lydia was one defined by limitless, mutual love and respect. Erling lived for family celebrations, especially Christmas, and made those celebrations very merry for all. He gave his wife and children unconditional, unwavering support through all of their lives’ crossroads. Never one to criticize or judge, he always did his best to ask the questions he needed to so that he could understand and help. He had high expectations but it wasn’t results he expected, it was effort. If the effort fell short of the goal, he’d just say, “it could be worse,” and that was that. Life, to Erling, was about moving forward.

At a celebration for Erling’s 25th anniversary with John Graham & Company, a colleague described him as “a true gentleman.” When Erling was in a room, he would defer to every other person in the room and never desired to assert himself. Yet ERLING WAS IN THE ROOM, and his deep well of lived experience, technical expertise and compassion was palpable. Nobody could ignore the Erling in the room (sorry).

Erling was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Inger Christensen. Survived by wife Lydia Olsen, daughter Elena Olsen, son Birger Olsen, daughter-in-law Laurel Olsen, and granddaughter Sylvie Olsen. After a prolonged battle against a failing heart, Erling’s final words were, “That’s enough of that.” We understand, Erling, but we will never stop missing you and we will adore you forever. It could be worse.

A graveside memorial service will be held on August 29 th at 11:00am at Port Blakely Cemetery on Bainbridge Island, with refreshments to follow at Bethany Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to one of Erling’s favorite organizations, Ski for Light, whose mission is to enhance the quality of life and independence of visually or mobility-impaired adults through a program of cross-country skiing. https://www.sfl.org