In Memoriam
OLSEN, ERLING V. (BUB) July 23, 1918 - August 6, 2010
Longtime Queen City member and Port Angeles community leader Captain Erling V. "Bub" Olsen Jr. passed away August 6, 2010, from age-related causes. At his death, Bub was QCYC member #001!
Captain Olsen was born July 23, 1918, in Seattle, Washington, and graduated from North Kitsap High School. Bub, as he was always called, attended the University of Washington, where he rowed for the crew team. His college career, however, was cut short by the attack on Pearl Harbor and his entering the Navy. He served in the Navy during World War II as a Chief Petty Officer.
In 1940 Bub married Alice in Seattle and they were married for more than 70 years! The Olsens had three children: Sharon (who passed away in 1959), Sandy Sinnes (Lee) and Tom Olsen (Wendy).
In 1954, the Olsens moved to Port Angeles where Bub was offered an opportunity with Atlantic Richfield. He was a business leader in Port Angeles, where he was not only the Atlantic Richfield distributor for many years but also owned Tire Town and Pressure Matic.
Bub's pride in Port Angeles was reflected in his community activities. He was a member of many community service organizations. In retirement, Bub was a leading supporter of the Great Olympic Peninsula Duck Derby, a fundraiser for the Olympic Medical Center Foundation. For 20 years, Bub organized the "Quacker Backers" team, "adopted out" more than 15,000 ducks, raised over $79,000 for the Hospital Foundation, hosted numerous "quackers and cheese" strategy sessions and hosted the race-day luncheon for volunteers that is now known as "Bub's Very Important Duck Party." Bub and Alice were honored by the Hospital Foundation for their years of service and were named “Outstanding Volunteers” for the years 1990-2000.
As a youth, Bub had completed the requirements necessary to become an Eagle Scout. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, he wasn't able to be initiated then, and wasn't officially sworn in as an Eagle Scout until 2002, when he was 84 years old. This remarkable event was covered by the national news media, Bub was interviewed on Good Morning America, and he instantly became the oldest new Eagle Scout in America.
Bub and Alice traveled throughout the world over the years, and both were well known as accomplished cooks and generous hosts. Throughout their lives they enjoyed entertaining friends and relatives in their home.
Bub led a full and active life, with many good friends and adoring family members. He was famous for telling dozens of old, interesting and entertaining stories based upon his experiences and adventures over the years. Virtually all of Bub's tales concluded with a wag of his finger, an engaging smile and his final words on the matter: "And THAT'S a true story!"
Captain Olsen joined Queen City in 1949 and was very active in the club until the family moved to Port Angeles. Alice remembers very fondly their friends and social activities at the club. Bub was an avid log racer and participated in many Puget Sound contests and in many ICR contests. The Olsens participated in the Capital to Capital/Alaska 1000 contest the first year it was held after WW II – five boats finished the contest. Bub and Alice with Bob & Geraldine Wilson, plus five children, participated on the Wilson’s 52’ Puget Pride. The Wilsons and the Olsens have been very close friends ever since the 1940’s. When Norm Collins was Commodore (1954) Bub served as the club Steward and, in those days, frequently the club chef! Bub was an active CG Auxiliary member and volunteer.
The Olsens owned a number of boats over the years: the King Bacardi, on which Bub was pictured in the 1953 annual in the Daffodil Yacht Parade with a sign that read “Toast to Tacoma from QCYC Seattle,” the Laverock III, a 43’ Grandy; the San-Tom, a 38’ Tollycraft; and the Yellow Banana a 24’ Sea Ray that Bub, and now his son used as a fishing boat.
P/C Virgil Fey brought Bub to a meeting a couple of years ago and the members were able to celebrate Bub’s #001 status – a wonderful experience for Bub and the members that attended that meeting.
Bub is survived by his wife Alice, children Sandy & Tom, as well as grandchildren Shari Carrell, Cindy Caryl, Matt Sinnes and Andie Kelly; and great-grandchildren, Jake, Drew and Max.
