Axel Kristinius Olsen, PhD, of Tucson, Arizona, born on December 16, 1946 in Sayre, Pennsylvania, passed away at age 71 on May 24, 2018.
Axel was a gentle soul who left this Earth with his wife, Amy, by his bedside. He loved the warmth of the sun, the beauty of the mountains, the comfort of his family and the wisdom of life (plus an occasional good glass of whiskey). Axel’s famous squint added a twinkle to his eye when Amy entered a room. They were true partners in life, love, work and their extensive travels. To the end, their lives were as one – especially through all the game plans and decisions made in trying to conquer this thing called cancer. Axel, and Amy, fought the good fight until it was time to rest.
Axel graduated from Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, PA; Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he was an athlete in track. He graduated from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia in 1983 where he earned an MS and PhD in Microbiology and Immunology. Soon after he went to work for the pharmaceutical industry, rising to the level of an executive and later an independent consultant, retiring in 2014. Axel proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as a Biomedical Laboratory Officer starting in 1971. He continued his 20 years of service to include both the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars and retired with the rank of Major in the Air Force Reserves in 1991.
Axel had his dream retirement job as a certified Personal Trainer at Desert Sports & Fitness in Tucson since 2014. He was a constant source of inspiration and even in his last few months he talked about how he had to get back to the gym to maintain his strength and stamina. He also volunteered at the Southern Arizona VA Hospital in the Physical Therapy Department. Axel was an active member and past president of the Porsche Club of America, Southern Arizona Region. He made many friends in the Porsche Club and enjoyed countless hours of car talk.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Axel K. Olsen, a country doctor in Wisconsin, his father Axel K. Olsen, a neurosurgeon at Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, his mother Sadie (nee Rock), and his granddaughter Lyra Mori. Axel was the only boy in the “sibling crew” of four children: Judy Ewertz, Jeanie Shor MD and Elizabeth Olsen. They carried on their tribute to their parents through bi-annual sibling trips spanning from Norway to Yellowstone National Park.
Axel is survived by his daughters, their husbands, and was “Papa AK” to his grandchildren: Maren Olsen, PhD, husband Timothy Mori, and children Axel and Jonas; Kristina Olsen, VMD, husband Ryan Ball, and children Dylan and Sara. Axel was a caring and supportive father, and was very involved in Maren and Kristie’s upbringing in Wayne, PA. He enjoyed coaching their soccer teams, running, playing tennis, and attending Eagles games with family and friends. He is also survived by his multiple nieces and nephew, his stepson, David; and leaves behind his adored dog, Jack.
Our Axel was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. Those who have known him should know that even in our grief he would say “ever onward!”
He will be buried in the Olsen family plot in Ettrick, Wisconsin.
Axel was committed to and felt strongly about helping his fellow veterans. Tributes to the life of Axel can be made to: DAV (Disabled American Veterans) an organization that works tirelessly to assist our wounded heroes. Support, Volunteer or Advocate at https://www.dav.org
