Walter Richard Oelwein

1936 - 2017

Walter Richard Oelwein

Walter Richard Oelwein, 81, of Bellevue, Washington, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2017. He was born September 16, 1936 in Pocatello, Idaho, where he grew up and graduated from Pocatello High School. He received his BS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Idaho. During the summer of 1958, while serving as a night watchman at Camp Miniwanca in Michigan, he met Patricia Logan, whom he married in 1961. They moved from New Jersey to Seattle, Washington 1962, where their children, Alison Anne and Walter Charles were born. The family moved to their longtime home in Bellevue in 1976. After a distinguished career in which he worked for RCA, Boeing, and the Federal Government in a variety of engineering roles, Walter retired in 1996. In retirement, he volunteered for the Seattle Audubon Society for 20 years.

Walter was a deeply caring and thoughtful man, who always looked out for people's safety and comfort. He liked to research the best way to do things, and he fastidiously maintained his family home in Bellevue and cabin on Whidbey Island. He had a winking and obtuse sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh. His ironic comments and orthogonal observations later became family catch phrases such as, "Kevin is a nice name."

Walter is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Logan Oelwein, his children Alison Weinberg and Walter Charles Oelwein, their spouses Tom Weinberg and April Oelwein, his grandson Ace Oelwein, his sister Alice McDonald and her husband Donald McDonald, and his brother-in-law Edgar Neal. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Helen Kinneberg and Anne Neal.

His family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Seattle Audubon Society.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30am, on Saturday, October 28, at Robinswood House, 2430 148th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA 98007.