Alfred Sverdrup Olsen

Alfred Sverdrup Olsen passed away at home on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in Corvallis, Oregon, with his beloved wife Victoria at his side. Alfred was born in Fargo, North Dakota, to Alfred Torkel Olsen Havre and Inga Louise (Walnum) Olsen on March 21, 1928. Alfred joined his older siblings George, Leona, and Katherine. The Olsen family moved a lot in the early years of the Depression–to Boise, Portland, Salem, and Racine–and returned to Chicago, Illinois, in 1936, where Alfred grew up. Alfred tried to join the US Merchant Marine when he was 14, to do his part in the fight against the Nazis, but his father refused to give the required consent. When he was 20, Alfred joined the U.S. Air Force, just as it was transitioning from the U.S. Army Air Corps (his unit was one of the first to get the new U.S. Air Force uniforms) and served in Texas, Virginia, Guam, Portland, Coos Bay, and England. Alfred was proud of his service as a radio operator during the Korean War—a lifeline for pilots flying combat and transport missions. Alfred shared five children with his first wife, Jane Schmidt, whom he met when he was stationed in Portland, Oregon: Alfred C. (“Chuck”), Christine, Kevin, Linda, and Heidi. After he separated from the U.S. Air Force, Alfred and his family moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where he attended Oregon State University on the GI Bill, earning a BS degree in Electrical Engineering. Alfred spent many years in sales and marketing for technology companies. Alfred married Victoria A. Schmidt on March 18, 1972, and they shared a son, Stuart. Alfred and Victoria partnered in a variety of ventures, including developing products on the leading edge of technology and energy conservation, until they retired in 1998. Alfred loved to travel and explore new places and managed to visit every continent except Antarctica. He spent his first five decades living all over the U.S. (North Dakota, Idaho, Wisconsin, Illinois, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and California) and the U.K. (England and Scotland), but he and Victoria eventually settled in Corvallis in 1984, where they remained for the final 40 years of his life. Alfred was a story-teller, a connoisseur of jokes and puns, if he didn’t know a word he’d make one up, he couldn’t spell his way out of a paper bag but could write code to take technology to new levels. He loved parties, great food, great wine, and the company of friends—or strangers who became friends. Alfred and Victoria prepared legendary Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve smorgasbords, serving up to 70 people, and giving truth to the meaning of smorgasbord—groaning table. Alfred is survived by his beloved wife Victoria, his children Christine, Kevin (Arlene), Linda (Michael), Heidi, and Stuart (Christina), 10 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. Alfred’s son, Chuck, predeceased him in 2017. In lieu of flowers, Victoria suggests contributions to the St. John Society, at PO BOX 1004, Corvallis, OR 97339-1004 or https://socsj.org/en_us/donate/.

Alfred Sverdrup Olsen

March 21, 1928 - August 12, 2025