Dr. Steven K. Olsen's Obituary
Steven Kent Olsen Obituary
Steve was born on November 20, 1944 in Spanish Fork, UT, in a little one-room hospital to Earl Clarence Olsen and Adela Faux Olsen, the second child of three, (David, the oldest, and Kathy, the youngest) in the Olsen family. From his autobiography, Steve stated “I’m glad I was born during the war because I was raised when being a patriotic American was not only prevalent, but lovingly fashionable.” Steve loved America!
His family also lived in Provo and then Kearns, where he attended Granger High School and served as student body president, as well as lettering in track (high hurdles), and football. It seemed he had a real talent for lifting school spirit and organizing everyone to have a great time.
Always a leader, Steve absolutely loved school, activities, friends and teachers. He summed it up this way, “My senior year was the most magnificent time of my life up until then and a true experience of 'Happy Days'.”
Steve served as a missionary from 1964-1966 in the Northern California Mission, centered in Oakland, California, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Loving the gospel as he did, and with his energy, enthusiasm, leadership skills and joy of teaching all he met, he had great success baptizing many while introducing them to an understanding of God.
After serving his full-time mission, Steve attended and graduated from Brigham Young University, where he made many lasting friendships. With a life goal of having a career in dentistry, Steve, as he always did no matter the obstacle, found a way to make it happen. Working incredibly hard to support himself as a pharmaceutical representative for two years after graduating from BYU, he saved enough to attend the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco, graduating with his DDS degree in 1974.
His life in dentistry again required determination when, in 1975, he founded Embarcadero Dentistry and embarked on creating a multi-disciplinary dental office in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District that continues to this very day providing professional dental services in all aspects of dentistry. Steve cultivated a family atmosphere with all the doctors and staff and would often say, “We’re all one big happy family.” Nothing could be more accurate and exactly how he envisioned his office to be.
Steve lived for 44 years in his beautiful home in Woodside, California. It was a paradise for Steve and so many who lived and visited there and were always met with a “welcome home” hug and smile. As always, he made it happen!
Steve is survived by his wife, Shari, his sister, Kathy, four children, four step-children, 14 grandchildren and 10 nieces and nephews. He loved his family more than anything and they loved him dearly. He had a perfect ability to make everyone feel they were absolutely worthwhile. He knew the importance of listening and offered great advice, as well as a path to reach desired goals, often providing employment and support to assure success. The gifts Steve had, which he shared abundantly, extended well beyond his immediate family to many, many others who were blessed to join his ever-widening family of love, support and generosity.
The memorial service to honor Steve’s amazing life will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Skylawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Highway 92 and Skyline Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94402, at 12:00 noon. Burial will be in the Cypress Circle location following the indoor memorial service in the Crystal Springs Chapel at Skylawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park.
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