Dr. Thomas R. Olnhausen

Dr. Thomas Roland Olnhausen, 84, beloved father, grandfather, optometrist and dear friend of so many, passed away on May 11, 2014. Tom was born on October 20, 1929, in Cambridge, Ohio, to the late Dr. Roland “Oly” Henry and Bertha “Bert” Mae Olnhausen. After graduating from Cambridge High School he went on to attend The Ohio State University in the fall of 1947, where he studied bioscience through the Navy Officer Training Program as a Midshipman. In 1951, Tom graduated from The Ohio State University and was commissioned into the Navy, reporting to duty on the U.S.S. Charles S. Sperry DD697. His assignment was Operations Officer, Navigator Grade LTJG Rate 1, Rank 1. He received the National Naval Defense Service Ribbon and the Navy Occupation Medal (European Clasp). He served on the U.S.S. Charles S. Sperry until he was honorably separated on August 16, 1954. He then returned to The Ohio State University to attend Optometry School, graduating in 1957. Soon after graduation, he moved to Bryan, Ohio, and opened his first eye care practice. He practiced optometry in Bryan, Ohio, until January 2012. Tom donated much of his time to organizations in Northwest Ohio and beyond, including: member and former treasurer of the Kiwanis Club, two terms served on the Bryan City School Board, nine years served on the Northwest Community College Board of Directors and was a member of the State of Ohio Optometric Foundation. Tom will be remembered by many as the outgoing, spirited, and friendly “Doc O” who was always up for a round of golf. He even had two holes-in-one at Orchard Hills Country Club, where he was a proud member for 50 years. His infectious smile and optimism will surely be missed. He is survived by his four children, Kurt (Kyung-ran) Olnhausen, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Kim (Bill) Pepple, of Bryan, Ohio, Eric Olnhausen, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Dana Yengo of Cincinnati, Ohio, and step-daughter, Andrea (John) Dvendack, of Clear Lake, Indiana. Tom has two brothers, Karl (Shirley) Olnhausen, in Cambridge, Ohio, and Van (Hank) Olnhausen, in Marietta, Ohio. His nine grandchildren brought special joy to his life. They are Jessika, Jackie, and Alex Olnhausen; Kristy, Zach (Audrey) and Jake Pepple; and Wes, Luke, and Trey Yengo. After learning of his illness, Tom was able to enjoy travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to see his cousin, Sandy Olnhausen, and to Naples, Florida, to spend time with his special friend, Meg Keck. There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial held at Orchard Hills Golf Club on Saturday, May 17, 2014, from 1:00-4:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests that people send donations to: Community Health Professionals Hospice and Home Health, 127 Blakeslee Avenue, Bryan, Ohio 43506 or: Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice Center, 6817 State Route 66 North, Defiance, Ohio 43512 Online donations: www.ComHealthPro.org)