David Olfe — an amazing man with a huge heart, and a generous, kind, patient, loving, devoted husband, father, stepfather, and “Opa” (as he was known by his grandchildren) — died March 27, 2011, in La Jolla, Calif. He was 77.
David’s Princeton degree in engineering, M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, and Navy service led him to Mobil Chemical, where he spent most of his career, rising to vice president of the international division.
Outside of his business career, David pursued gardening, international travel, classical music, and the American Field Service, hosting many exchange students.
After the death of his first wife, Pauline Ruth Lindert, David married Janet Broms, who brought two daughters to the Olfe family. In retirement, David and Janet lived in Golden Valley, Minn., enjoying gardens, international travel, family, and the great outdoors. David tutored seventh-grade math students, was a trustee of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota, and traveled with son Peter to Sicily, Libya, Peru, and Germany.
Left behind are his beloved wife, Janet; daughters Marie Lahti, Elizabeth Feldman, Melinda Potvin, and Barbara Vogel; son Peter; brother Daniel; and 10 grandchildren. All will miss David’s skills as raconteur and his quiet counsel. To them, the class extends sympathy for their great loss.