Obituary of Ralph W. Olsen

With tears in our eyes but faith in our hearts we make known that Ralph Warren Olsen (Ole) at 97 years of age, has passed from this life on November 11th, Veterans Day, 2014. He was born to O.S. (Harry) and Olive D. (Stanton) Olsen on July 18th of 1917 in Everett Washington. He was given his wish to die at home in Springfield very gently and peacefully with his wife and family at his side. If asked the cause of his death, he would respond “What do you think? I’m 97.”Raised in Everett where he was educated, he often would help on his uncle Newt’s farm in Marysville. He started working at Everett Tent and Awning and later Puget Sound Tent and Duck in Seattle. In January1942 he joined the Navy after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After training in aviation ordinance, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier, USS Block Island. He found the love of his life, the young and beautiful Anne Mary Kowal, at a Halloween dance on a visit to Vancouver BC. They were married at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Everett on March 13th 1943 and almost immediately shipped out to sea on March 16th. The following year, while steaming to support the D Day invasion, his ship was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat on May 29th 1944. He and virtually the entire crew were rescued by escort destroyers and delivered to Casablanca from where they returned to the US. They were re-assigned to a similar class carrier, which was renamed the Block Island CVE 106. Then in January of 1945 he was “issued Marine gear” and informed that he was now part of a combat group that would invade the Japanese home islands. They were already steaming toward Japan when the first Atomic Bombs were dropped that ended the war.Upon his return home he joined the Naval Reserve at Sand Point Naval Air Station and went back to work in the tent and awning business eventually moving with his family, now with three sons, to Eugene where he founded Eugene Canvas Products, a company he operated until he retired turning its operation over to his son Warren who ran it with his wife Nancy until they retired earlier this year.Their second son, Fr. Ken Olsen who, as a Catholic Priest, is employed by Sacred Heart Medical Center as a chaplain, also serves the Catholic parishes of St. Michael’s in Oakridge and St. Henry’s in Dexter. A third son, much beloved of his father and mother, Ralph Jr., died tragically in an accident in 1965. This loss was compounded in 1988 when his beloved grandson, Danny also died in an accident. Though he had these losses to endure, he thrived in Eugene working hard at his business with his wife at his side. In his time off took his family fishing and camping in the outdoor paradise that is Oregon.Later in his midlife he discovered the Block Island Association and attended some 30 -34 of the reunions they staged annually. He was also a member of the Elks and especially enjoyed the annual crab feed.Besides his wife and sons, he leaves behind two granddaughters Stacy (Anthony) Blanco of Yelm Washington and Heather (Jason) Floyd of Portland Oregon and 5 much loved great grandchildren Marcus, Mckayla, and Nicholas Blanco and Hayden and Weston Floyd, as well as numerous nephews and nieces and all the “shirttail relatives.”Ralph was a story-teller who would retell his favorites over and over but he had so many that he would often surprise us with something new even as he neared the end of his life. We all recall fondly his dramatic recitations from memory of Casey at the Bat and the Cremation of Sam McGee or the Shooting of Dan McGrew not to mention Bessie’s Boil.Though not a particularly religious man, he was nevertheless baptized Catholic by his son Kenneth at his first Mass in Eugene in 1973. Perhaps some who are more religious will be led to right action out of fear of punishment or the desire for eternal reward, he, on the other hand, did the right thing simply because it was the right thing. He was a faithful and devoted husband, a wise and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a just and good man. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.A viewing will take place on Thursday the 20th of November from 4:00 PM till 7:00 PM with a Rosary at 7:00 PM at Poole Larsen Funeral Home, 1100 Charnelton Street, Eugene, Oregon. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Jude’s Catholic Church located at 4330 Willamette St. in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday 21 November at 11:00 AM. The Mass will be followed by a memorial meal in the church hall hosted by the Catholic Daughters of America. The interment with military honors will take place at Mt. Calvary cemetery immediately after the meal. Poole-Larsen is in charge of arrangements. In viewing the obituary, you are invited to sign the guestbook at www.musgroves.com.