A memorial service for long-time Shoreline Community College faculty counselor and Professor Emeritus Marty Olsen scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2014 in the PUB Main Dining Room on campus.
Olsen passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 13. Olsen joined Shoreline in 1973 and retired in 2009; 36 years of service to thousands of students.
At a retirement gathering, Olsen said it was the opportunities to work with students who had academic challenges, special needs or difficult life circumstances and then witness their growth and development that made his position much more than just a job.
“Marty’s commitment to students and the community college mission is a lesson and legacy for us all,” Interim President Daryl Campbell said.
Prof. Amy Kinsel, President of the Shoreline faculty union, said Olsen was active in the union and involved in many other aspects of faculty life at Shoreline. Kinsel noted that Olsen had recently attended services for two other members of the Shoreline community, faculty member Karen Toreson and Phyllis Topham, a faculty member who retired along with Olsen in 2009.
Here’s the obituary as that appears on the Seattle Times site:
Life-long resident of Seattle, Vietnam Veteran, graduate of Ingraham High School and University of Washington, Counselor at Shoreline Community College for 36 years, retiring May 7, 2009. Survived by his wife, Vicki, son Justin Olsen, daughter Tiffany (Steve Brewster), granddaughters Isabel and Ashley, sister Kathy (Al Dunn), brother Norman Olsen, and stepmother Gidge Olsen. Memorial service April 26, 2014 at 2 p.m. in the PUB at Shoreline Community College, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Martin Olsen Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Shoreline Community College Foundation or to the Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103.