WA - Gary David Olsen, of Bellingham WA, passed peacefully with love in his heart on August 24, 2025 in Seattle. He was 81.

Out of Gary's many accomplishments there are two that filled him to the brim. The first was his dedication to raising his two kids as a single parent. With exuberance, devotion and love, he championed in them the importance of pursuing their passions through education, art, creativity and perseverance.

The second was his commitment to his career, 52 years, as a naval architect where he designed boats for some of the most prominent firms in the United States: Nickum & Spaulding, Marcona, APL and the WA State Ferries. He specialized in the hull design of tug boats, barges, tankers, containerships and most notably ferry boats which were the focus of the last 23 years of his career. He was honored to have contributed to the design of the MV Wenatchee, Tacoma and Puyallup ferries which still service the busy Seattle to Bainbridge Island route to this day.

Referring to their dad as "Baba" when his kids were young, Gary became known as "Bob" to all those who grew up with them. Bob was a big kid at heart and always included his kids' friends to camp out with them at Pyramid Lake in the Nevada desert or at Stonyford in the Mendocino Forest, cheer at A's games, snowboard at Mt. Baker and play catch or basketball together at the park. His joie de vivre, contagious childlike spirit and love of gearing up and having an excuse to put his Jeep CJ7 into 4WD and blast music on the open road created countless joyous memories.

Gary lit up the room with his smile and he loved telling stories and making people laugh. He genuinely cared for people in his community and showed it with thoughtful cards and small tokens of appreciation. His life revolved around thinking of others. To his last breath, Gary was cheering on his kids and his three grandsons and his spirit will live on in the amazing memories they shared and the new ones they make in his honor.

Gary is survived by his son and daughter, David and Christina; his three 11-year old grandsons: Jack, Felix, and Ollie; and his sisters: Susan, Kris and Julie.

A graveside service will be held from 2:00-3:00pm on 12/23/25 at Greenacres/Moles, 5700 Northwest Dr., Ferndale, WA.