Burt Olhiser

1949 - 2025

Burt Olhiser passed away at his home in Folsom, CA, after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Linda Olhiser, brother Randy (Jody) Olhiser, children Jesse Olhiser and Ali Cruz, stepdaughters Emily Sloat and Katie Auberlin as well as many precious grandchildren.
Young Burt cut a wide swath in Sonoma County, CA, as a tough guy who excelled at ice hockey and as a merchant mariner during the Vietnam War. With maturity and sobriety, his toughness manifested as quiet strength, bravado turned to joy and experience became wisdom. He started a house painting business out of his pickup truck then achieved remarkable heights, becoming prominent in the industrial coatings industry. He was involved in the development and teaching of lead and asbestos abatement protocols and taught at the Center for Occupational & Environmental Health at UC Berkeley.
Burt loved his family and friends. They, in turn, loved him for his loyalty and generosity, for his warmth and his hearty laugh. He was the "keeper of memories," in his family, studying and publishing articles about relatives (Germans from Russia) who immigrated to the US during the first part of the 20th century.
He found joy in fishing, the San Francisco Giants, poker, music, teaching and playing with his children and grandchildren. The many people who loved him already miss his kindness, big hugs, optimism and knowing they could count on him, always.
His ashes will be scattered in the San Francisco Bay.