David Eugene Olinger

David Eugene Olinger of Oak Harbor, Washington, passed away at home in the loving
presence of his family on February 4, 2017. At 90 he had lived his life loving his family,
caring for the earth, and fighting for his political ideals.

David was born on February 10, 1927 at San Antonio Hospital in Upland, California. His
father, Linneus Eugene Olinger came to California from Nebraska as a young man to
work at his brother’s store, Olinger’s Market in Ontario, California. His mother, Gladys
Mason Olinger moved to Ontario from Wisconsin as an infant.

David loved music. He played oboe in the Chaffey High School Band and sang in his
university chorus. He never stopped singing to his children and grandchildren. He spent
most summers of his youth in the High Sierras of California, fishing and packing into the
area that is now known as the Ansel Adams Wilderness. He attended Chaffey Junior
College until he was drafted into the US Army. He served 2 years during the occupation
of Japan. After the war, David was able to attend UC Berkeley on the GI Bill, receiving
a B.A, degree in Political Science. It was however his prowess at bridge while at
Berkeley that he was most proud.

In 1958 he married Karen Jane Lovewell. They enjoyed 58 years of marriage and had
four children, Laura Jane, David Michael, Scott Eugene, and Leda Kay. David worked as
a supervisor for Kaiser Steel. After his marriage to Kay he taught high school English in
Montclair and Palmdale, CA. In 1964 his young family moved to San Diego. He worked
for San Diego County as a social worker for 20 years. In 1991 he and Kay moved to Oak
Harbor, WA. He enjoyed many years of retirement, traveling, reading The New Yorker,
studying finance, playing bridge, and dancing with the Whidbey Whirlers.

David was always politically active. He fought for progressive and liberal ideals all his
life. His last political action was to run for sheriff. He ran despite his advanced age,
making a point that a partisan sheriff should not run unopposed. He taught his children to
be green long before it was popular. “Reuse, reduce, recycle” was just a part of his
household for as long as his children can remember. He commuted by bicycle and public
transportation whenever possible. David never shied from political discourse. Family
gatherings were always lively with political discussions. Fighting to save a wilderness
area in San Diego from development, he took his infant granddaughter, Jane Daphne
Hatter, to a protest march in 1982.

David is survived by his wife, Karen, his children, Laura, David, and Leda,
his son-in-laws Mark Hatter and John Bigelow, his brother, Richard,
and sister-in-law, Connie,
his sister, Patricia Copeland, his grandchildren: Jane Hatter, Sky Hatter, and Clare Hatter,
his grandson-in-law, Loren Carle, his great grandson, Wesley Scott Carle, and his many
nieces and nephews.

His family is grateful to Regency of Whidbey and Whidbey Health
Hospice Care for the loving care and support during his last days.
A celebration of his life will be held on Whidbey Island in the early summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s name towards green causes
to ensure a healthy earth for future generations would be appreciated.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home.

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