Erik Charles Olsen, 47, of Leucadia, died Monday, April 16, 2007 in Los Angeles.

He was born Dec. 15, 1959 in New York City to Dr. and Mrs. Charles Robert Olsen.

He grew up in Idyllwild and always had a love for the San Jacinto Mountains. He attended elementary school at the former UCLA’s Madeline Hunter University Elementary School (now Corrine A. Seeds UES). He attended high school at the former Desert Sun School in Idyllwild.

Mr. Olsen met his wife, Dorothy, at the Girl Scout Camp (Camp Joe Scherman) in Garner Valley where they both had summer jobs. They were married Dec. 16, 1984, at the Idyllwild Community Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Olsen and his family loved to travel. They exchanged houses with families in Europe for vacations, and spent weekends sailing in San Diego Bay.

He attended the University of California, Riverside, and College of Mines in Colorado. He received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a master’s degree in engineering from San Diego State University.

Mr. Olsen was a geotechnical engineer. Throughout his life, he lived in New York City, Los Angeles, Idyllwild, Boulder, Colo., and Leucadia.

A celebration of his life is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park.

Along with his wife, Dorothy Domas of Leucadia, he is also survived by a son, Karl Anders Olsen of Leucadia; a daughter, Katrina Rose Olsen of Leucadia; a brother, Jorgen Olsen of Long Beach; and a sister, Kristina Olsen of Venice Beach. Mr. Olsen also was the beloved son of Diane Olsen of Idyllwild.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his memory be made to Habitat for Humanity, 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709-3498, or the Sierra Club, 85 Second, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105.

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