Terrill Olsen, 1939-2014

Published 9:00 am Sunday, October 19, 2014

Dr. Terrill “Terry” Olsen of Bremerton, Wash., died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, from complications of coronary artery disease. He was 75, born on Feb. 20, 1939, to Carlyle and Margaret Olsen of Albert Lea. Terry graduated from Albert Lea High School, St. Olaf College, University of Minnesota Medical School and Mayo Graduate School of Medicine (Ophthalmology, 1972) in Rochester.

Terrill Olsen

Terrill Olsen

He married his true love, Sharon Sommars, on March 28, 1964, in Jackson. They enjoyed 50 wonderful years together, recently enjoying their golden anniversary with celebrations in both Bremerton and their home at Lake Chelan, Wash.

The couple first arrived in the Northwest with the United States Navy when Terry was assigned as a medical officer aboard the USS Sacramento and at Bremerton Naval Hospital (1967-69). They loved the area so much that they returned from the Midwest to Bremerton in 1972 where Terry began his private practice as an ophthalmologist with the Eye Clinic of Bremerton, Pacific Eye Care and Achieve Eye and Laser of Silverdale.

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Dr. Olsen was deeply dedicated to his patients as well as his staff and medical partners. So much so that he found it difficult to officially retire, not wanting to be away from his medical “family.” Over the years, he held memberships in numerous professional organizations, including Kitsap County Medical Society. At the time of his passing, he was the longest serving physician on staff at Harrison Medical Center from 1972-2014 (42 years).

Terry was a longtime supporter of Bremerton Symphony and served as a board member from 1998 to 2004. He and Sherri shared a great love of music, singing in the symphony chorale, church choirs and duets together. They were long time members of Bible Study Fellowship, Sylvan Way Baptist Church and North Shore Bible Church of Manson, Wash.

Dr. Olsen was a deeply spiritual man with a love and dedication to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Terry was also fiercely loyal to his family, caring for his loved ones selflessly and nurturing a legacy to his three sons and grandson that will never be forgotten. His family is thankful to God for his life, his love and his legacy. “A righteous man will be remembered forever,” Psalms 112:6b. They know Terry is now home in heaven with Jesus and his loved ones gathered there.

Terry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sherri; sons Christopher (Linda) of Silverdale, Gregory of Kirkland and Timothy (Rachel) of Bremerton; his one and only grandson, Jordan (Chris and Linda); siblings Sally (Bob) Cleve of Tucson, Ariz., Susan (Dennis) Geiken of Weeki Wachi, Fla., Nancy (Damien) Vraniak of Springbrook, Wis., and brother, John (Valerie) Olsen of Mount Vernon, Wash.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In honor of his lifelong commitment to ministry, music and medical, memorial donations may be given in his name to Sylvan Way Baptist Church, the Bremerton Symphony Association or the Harrison Medical Center Foundation, specifically to the Healing Garden to be constructed at the new Harrison Hospital site in Silverdale, Wash.

A celebration of life service was at 3 p.m. on Oct. 11 at Sylvan Way Baptist Church, 900 Sylvan Way in Bremerton, Wash.