Gerhardt Olschner

On Friday, April 3, 2020, Gerhardt Paul Olschner, loving husband and father, passed away in Highlands Ranch CO at the age of 91.

Paul, as he was known in his later life, was born in Bayonne, NJ, the only child of German immigrants, Anna (Sommerfeldt) and Paul Olschner. During high school, he developed a love of architecture and drafting and drew the house plans for his parents retirement home in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. After High School he studied electrical design at Bayonne Technical College. After graduating, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in Korea during the Korean war.

After completing his service, Paul returned home to New Jersey and started work as an Electrical Draftsman. It was while working at Stavid Engineering in Plainfield that Paul met Carolyn Beattie, the love of his life, who were happily married 62 years .

After their marriage in 1957, Paul and Carolyn settled in central New Jersey and had four children. Paul found employment with Johns-Manville Corporation in Manville, NJ, as an Electrical Designer.

In 1972 Paul and Carolyn moved their family to Colorado when Johns-Manville relocated their headquarters to Colorado. Paul remained employed by Johns-Manville at their headquarters near Ken Caryl, Colorado, and was a member of their Quarter Century Club. He retired in 1991.

During retirement Paul and Carolyn enjoyed traveling to many places around the world. Paul enjoyed hiking with family in the Rocky Mountains and vacations with the family.

Paul will be remembered for his love of his wife, Carolyn, and his children and grandchildren. He was also affectionately known by his many passions, including piloting small airplanes, WW2 history, and glazed doughnuts. Paul was also a fan of classic cars and had a particular love of cars made by GM. Paul had been the proud owner of a ’57 Chevy, a ’68 Camaro and three Corvairs.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, his children, Fred Olschner (Sue), Lisa Olschner, Eric Olschner, and Kurt Olschner (Amelia), and four grandchildren.