Linda Lohrbauer OLDS

OLDS, Linda Lohrbauer 76, passed away peacefully Nov. 16, 2013 after a short but courageous battle with cancer. She was born in August of 1937 to Dr. Leif and Sue Lohrbauer in Grand Forks, ND, and moved with her family to Clearwater in 1949. An honor graduate and award winning orator of Clearwater High School, she received her bachelor's degree in English literature from Carleton College, Northfield, MN. She continued her studies at Columbia University and was an alumna of the inaugural Harvard-Radcliffe Program for Women in Business, now known worldwide as the Harvard Business School. Linda was a member of the educational honorary association Phi Lambda Theta. She joined the Dean of Women's staff at the University of Iowa while completing her M.A. in counseling and administration in higher education. Her enrollment in a hybrid curriculum, which reflected SUI's national leadership in psychometry and vocational psychology, stood her in good stead as she later worked at three universities and as an executive director for navy relief. On Dec. 29, 1961, she married the love of her life, a young naval academy graduate, Lieutenant Frederick A. Olds, also of Clearwater. They were blessed with three children. During their nearly 52 years together, she was a devoted navy wife and caring mother. Married during 28 years of Fred's 30 years commissioned service was a challenge she met while working and caring for her family thru 17 years of sea duty that spanned Vietnam, the USMC Beirut Bombing, numerous deployments, and three at-sea commands during the Cold War era. She was a community advocate and volunteer, working with such organizations as the American Red Cross, Samaritan House, various churches, and the military. A tireless advocate of military families, she served as the first executive director of navy relief at Oceana, Naval Air Station and established the Dam Neck Naval base satellite branch. She devoted in excess of 2000 hours to the Navy Relief Society. Episcopal churches in the area could always count on her canned jams, jellies, corn relish and other items for their local bazaars. She often made in excess of 14 cases which always sold out. She was a gifted pianist, frequently filling the house with the classics or with music from church. She loved to cook and sew, revealing her artistic side in her gourmet kitchen creations and with her intricate quilts, clothes, and drapes to suit any house or event. She had a quiet, unassuming nature, an extremely dry wit and sharp mind. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Captain Frederick Arthur Olds, USN., retired; their children, Bradley Lohrbauer Olds of Chula Vista, CA, Stacey Olds Marks (Tim) of Valparaiso, and Shelley Olds Burns (Jeff) of Glen Allen, VA; her brother, Dr. Leif Lohrbauer (Linda,) of Jacksonville; brother-in-law, Ky Lewis (Nancy) of Inglis; six grandchildren, Victoria and Matthew Marks, Megan and Brendan Olds, Jenna and Madison Burns and a host of nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Old Donation Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach with a short celebration of her life to follow. She will be interred in the United States Naval Academy columbarium at a later date. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to Sentara Hospice House of Virginia Beach and the Rector's Memorial Fund of Old Donation Episcopal Church.