Bruce Valdemar Olson

Bruce V. Olson was born as the only child to Axel and Elsie Olson at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Washington on March 11, 1929.

Bruce was raised in Spokane and enjoyed being an amateur ham radio operator, skiing with his father, fishing, and soccer.

After graduating from North Central High School in 1946, he initially attended Whitworth College in Spokane and worked part time painting cars at Riegel Brothers.

Bruce then transferred to the University of Washington in Seattle where he majored in electrical engineering. He continued working part time painting cars in the Seattle area while attending college.

During his first year at University of Washington, his mother encouraged him to look up Jean, who he had actually played with as a toddler in Everett, in Jean’s playhouse. She was completing her nursing degree at Everett General. His mother told him: “You really need to ask Jean out!” So he reluctantly allowed himself to be pushed into visiting Jean’s house in Everett. In his recollection of the story, he was not all that excited about it. But he said, “When I went to the door and rang the doorbell, the door opened and I saw the most gorgeous redhead I had ever Seen! It was Love at First Sight!”

Bruce married Jean Laverne Berg in Everett on October 14, 1950. Bruce and Jean initially bought a home and lived in the Ridgecrest area of North Seattle until 1961 when they moved to Edmonds. Bruce participated in a men’s bowling league, as well a couple’s bowling league with Jean, Bob, his son, and Sandy, his daughter-in-law. Their League was named the ‘Holy Rollers’.

Of the many things he was so proud of in his life, it might be his work at Boeing that he was the most proud. He loved his work and he had an amazing work ethic. He began to work from Boeing immediately after graduation from the UW and was initially in the airplane division and transferred to the aerospace division, where he was part of the team for the initial stages of the unmanned missile program. He was then promoted and managed several environmental test labs. During the course of his career with Boeing, Bruce frequently traveled across country while working on 7 space missions, which included the moon mission and he also participated in the investigation regarding the failed Apollo 1 rocket launch and subsequent loss of astronauts.

He only retired early, at age 58, because Jean was diagnosed with cancer, and he wanted to travel with her. Bruce and Jean enjoyed traveling to several continents over the years, including several trips to Sweden to visit family. Bruce was of Swedish descent and Jean was half Norwegian and half Swedish, they loved their travels to the Scandinavian countries. Their roots together were entwined all the way back to Sweden. Both their fathers had grown up in the same town in northern Sweden. And their fathers had played together as children and went to the same church. Bruce’s father landed in Spokane and Jean’s father ended up in Everett. Bruce ended up paying homage to his Scandinavian roots by joining the Sons of Norway and the Vasa Lodge in Everett.

Another epic trip they took together and talked about fondly was to Australia.

Bruce enjoyed watching his ‘Beloved Huskies’, as well as, the Seahawks and the Mariners over the years. Bruce loved Big Band era music and his favorites were Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman. Bruce also enjoyed Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. Bruce was musically talented, in that, he played the accordion and the organ by ear, rarely relying on reading sheet music.

Bruce enjoyed dancing with Jean while listening to their favorite songs. He enjoyed spending time with his family and camping with friends, and traveling with family by car to vacation destinations during the summer. Bruce was an Eagle Scout and actively participated with his two sons, who are also Eagle Scouts, in their summer camps. After Bruce retired, he became interested in genealogy and spent time volunteering at the Mormon Church Library. Bruce was meticulous about his garden and received several awards from the Edmonds in Bloom committee.

He was actually meticulous about a lot. He liked the position of chairs to be just so. He would go around and straighten up the chairs. And Jean, just to have some fun, would go around after him and mess up the chairs. They laughed and enjoyed each other. He made sure that she was well-taken care of. He doted on her and just would do anything and everything for her. Even if she was upset with him he didn’t get upset very much; a roll of his eyes would be about it.

Bruce could fix anything. He was so handy. He built an addition to the house; he added a garage. He built a 22 wooden cabin-cruiser boat. He offered his handyman services as a way to serve: he helped all his children with their homes and repaired their cars. He was a man who knew a little bit about everything. He was a very smart man.

Bruce was a good dad. He was firm but fair. He might give the children “The Look”, but he never raised his voice. The children all knew that he would do anything for them. He often helped his children with their homework - working through and teaching patiently; Math, Algebra and Calculus. He involved Linda in his shopping expeditions for Jean for her birthday or for Christmas. It was through his grandchildren that all could see the soft side in him. With his grandchildren he showed his emotions a lot more.

Bruce flew a lot for work, so for family travel, he preferred road trips. To the Grand Canyon and other places. They would take the station wagon, all six of them, each with an allotted suitcase to pack into the trunk. He was meticulous, as we have noted, and he carefully packed the luggage. He made sure they had everything but not too much. He enjoyed planning the trips, mapping out the journey. He had it all planned down to where they would be at what point on the road to the hour. He enjoyed stopping at all the points of interest. He made sure the family got to see and experience so much.

Bruce and Jean really enjoyed their friends. They did a lot of traveling with the Mitchells and the Scotts. They got together with their friends on New Year’s eve and throughout the year. Wally Mitchell worked at Boeing with Bruce. Marie Scott had become Jean’s friend through nurses training. They enjoyed their Edmond United Methodist Church “Saturday Nighters” get-togethers” with other couples. He also could often be found at church volunteering often to be an usher.

Bruce will be remembered as a man who really engaged in life. He did a lot, and he enjoyed all that he did. He seemed to do a little bit of everything and it was amazing to others how he could fit all that he did in with his work and career. He was immensely proud of his work in aerospace and the Moon Landing.

Bruce did testing on the Lunar Rover and, while he did that, he wore gloves. So he always used to say, “I have my glove prints on the moon”.

Bruce Olson passed away in Mukilteo, Washington on June 26, 2021. He was 92 years old.

Bruce was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean, and his son-in-law, Michael Aiken.

Bruce is survived by his four children, Ron Olson and his wife Kathy, Linda Aiken, Bob Olson and his wife Sandy, and Sue Pennock and her husband Stan, as well as eight grandchildren: Jason, Chris, David, Becky, Sarah, Trevor, Karley, & Kailyn, and eight great-grandchildren: Keaton, Karter, Kade, Kolby, Kawika, Caden, Tristan, & Rylee.

We are going to miss this amazing man Bruce, but we will cherish our memories of him deeply in our hearts, forever.

A graveside service for BRUCE will be held Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, WA 98036. A burial will occur at Floral Hills Cemetery, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, Washington 980364934.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.floralhillslynnwood.com for the OLSON family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Parkinson Disease Association or Edmonds United Methodist Church.