Olaf Emil Halvorsen's Obituary
OLAF EMIL HALVORSEN, 76 of Sterling, Virginia passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, with his wife of 54 years, Rose Mary Halvorsen, by his side and holding his hand. Olaf was the best father anyone could hope for, and a caring husband who always put his family first before anything else in his life. Eldest son of Olaf and Mary Halvorsen, little brother to his big sister Anne Marie and big brother to Mike, Gerard, Kathy, Kris and Ginny. Pop-pop to his amazing grandkids, Kailey, Dylan, Hunter and Logan, who he was so proud of and bragged about often. Olaf always had a story, and he wasn’t afraid to tell them repeatedly and with the occasional embellishment.
Born September 20, 1949, in Chester, Pennsylvania, Olaf was the son of Olaf Emil Halvorsen II and Mary Halvorsen. Olaf was a Navy veteran who served on a Minesweeper during the Vietnam War. His expertise in electronics led him to a long and successful career in systems engineering with defense contractors and air traffic control systems. He put himself through college at night school while working full-time and always being present for his family. He was admired by everyone who knew him and was often sought out by his work colleagues for his work ethic and engineering proficiency.
Sports were always a big part of Olaf’s life. Growing up he was a star baseball and football player—as he would tell you any chance he would get. As an adult, he was active in his company’s softball teams as their pitcher. And while never a speed demon on the bases, he did get the occasional hit. But his passion and real gift in sports was as a youth coach in baseball and soccer, a role which he enjoyed and excelled at for over 20 years. Olaf was the coach every season for either Jason or Erik’s Little League baseball team and also served as President of Lower Loudoun Little League. A position he held with pride for many years even after his kids had already graduated.
One of Olaf’s favorite pastimes was golf, an activity he enjoyed the most when it was with his sons and his father. Some of his favorite memories were of summer vacations in Hilton Head with his parents and his family where they would golf every day and recount stories by night. Some of his golf accomplishments may have been exaggerated, but most of his bragging was about the amazing shots of his father and his sons.
Olaf leaves behind many to cherish his memory and tell his stories, including his wife, sons, daughter-in-law, sisters, brother, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.
The family will receive guests for a memorial visitation from 12-1pm ET on Saturday, November 22nd at Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Cir. SE Leesburg, VA 20175. A celebration of Olaf Halvorsen’s life will follow at 1pm ET.
In lieu of flowers and in recognition of Olaf’s service and support of our veterans, donations can be made in Olaf’s honor to Gary Sinise Foundation (www.garysinisefoundation.org).
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com
What’s your fondest memory of Olaf?
What’s a lesson you learned from Olaf?
Share a story where Olaf's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Olaf you’ll never forget.
How did Olaf make you smile?