Richard John Olsen

Richard John Olsen was born to Torkel and Ruth Olsen on Oct. 6th,1934 in Spokane WA; the fourth of six children. He was 90 years old.
Richard's elementary education was at the Warsaw School on 9 Mile Prairie, a one-room schoolhouse in the northwest area of Spokane. He graduated from Mead High School in 1953 and joined the Navy soon afterwards. While serving, he was stationed at Adak in the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska, and also in Astoria Oregon. He was blessed to receive the GI bill by just 10 days before it was vetoed from becoming law. With that, he was the only one of his siblings to complete a college degree.
Richard dated and later married Joyce Graham in 1957 in Spokane. Joyce's dad owned a full service gas station on north Division street where Richard worked evenings while in college. Grandpa would raise the price of gas from 17 to 19 cents a gallon in the evenings just so he could pay Richard a good rate of $1 per hour.
After earning his degree in Education with a minor in History from Whitworth College, Richard taught one year in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, then moved to Pasco and taught in that district for 6 years. He later taught or was an administrator in the Burbank school district in Walla Walla county east of the Tri Cities for 26 years. Toward the end of his teaching career, he and Joyce moved from Pasco to Burbank. After retiring from teaching, he continued to serve part time at the Burbank Public library, continuing to touch children's lives.
Richard and Joyce had two sons, Richard (Rick) and Ken. He guided and taught them valuable lessons in life, often with the freedom to make mistakes and figure it out on their own, all under his guiding eyes. They helped in their neighborhood, watching houses for neighbors, mowing many lawns, painting, and other odd jobs as needed. Many people in the Pasco area remember their help and their kindness.
Richard was a man of strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and served in his church throughout his life. Even in his last days, he faithfully attended services and bible studies in his assisted living facility in Spokane and was considered by many there to be a spiritual leader for others. His smile and kindness were felt and appreciated by many there, and will be sorely missed.
Richard is preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Olsen, two brothers (Bernard and Leonard) and two sisters (Esther and Johanna).
Richard is survived by his older sister Rachel Olsen of Silver Lake, WA. He is also survived by his second wife, Joy Olsen of Spokane, his two sons, Rick (wife Linda) of Hemet, CA and Ken (wife Shannon) of Richland WA, and grandchildren Anna, Kameron (wife Lindsay), Richard, Nicholas, and Sheridan. Richard also is survived by many nephews, nieces, and extended family whom he loved to hear about and share stories with.
Viewing will be 9am-1pm, followed by a graveside service on Tuesday, July 8th 2025 at the Einan's at Hillcrest, 224 S 24th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301.
Richard's family would like to thank the nursing staff that looked after him in assisted living at Rockwood at Whitworth in Spokane during the final months of his life. Their kindness and compassion will be long remembered.
Donations in Richard's honor may be made to the Union Gospel Mission in Pasco, WA or Hillspring Church in Richland, WA.