In Memoriam: Richard Olivier, MD (Dec. 21, 1947 - Dec. 22, 2022)
Our community has lost a great man. On Thursday, December 22, 2022, Dr. Richard M. Olivier was called home to God. Rick, as he was known to most, was born on December 21, 1947, in New Orleans, LA, to Pliny and Esther Olivier of Gramercy, LA. Rick was one of the middle 8 children, 4 boys, and 4 girls. Upon graduating from Lutcher High School, Rick enrolled at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge where he went on to earn a doctorate in medicine. After graduating from medical school, Dr. Olivier entered the United States Navy and was stationed in Oakland, CA, where he met his wife, Jackie. Shortly after being stationed at the Naval Hospital in Bremerton, WA, Rick and Jackie were blessed with the first of their 2 boys, Christian Marcel, in 1980. Their second, Nicholas James would come just 2 years later in 1982. In 1987, Commander Olivier left the Navy to join the US Army Reserves. He would later retire from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Dr. Olivier lived in Gig Harbor, WA, and worked in Tacoma as an internist. His colleagues nearly all had the same opinion of Dr. Olivier as one of the finest physicians they had the pleasure of working with. One colleague is quoted as saying that Dr. Olivier is “in short, cast in the noblest traditions of the medical profession.” He was often the first one to the office and the last to leave. Dr. Olivier and his medical team were some of the pioneers in new patient treatment approaches, some of which gave rise to the term hospitalist.
Rick loved a great many things and people throughout his life. Rick was a true gardener; a lover of plants through and through. The ones that knew him best knew that Rick’s idea of a great Saturday was waking up early and spending the morning in his garden planting plants, pruning roses, and trimming hedges. He loved LSU football, the Seattle Mariners, and fishing and camping with his sons. He was a lifelong Catholic and an active member of Saint Nicholas Catholic Church in Gig Harbor for 44 years. Along with his deep faith in Christ, Rick loved his family. When spending time with them he would often say “it doesn’t get much better than this.”
Dr. Olivier is survived by his wife of 46 years Jackie; his sons Christian and Nicholas Olivier and daughters-in-law Bisrat Woldemariam and Niki Olivier; grandchildren Anthony Maggio, Josiah and Charles Olivier; sisters Phyllis Robichaux, Mary and Marie Olivier, and brothers Pliny and James (J.O.) Olivier. Dr. Olivier will be forever missed by his family and his community. The community and indeed the world is certainly a better place having had Richard Olivier as part of it.
Dr. Olivier’s funeral service will be held Friday, January 6, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church located at 3510 Rosedale St NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Gig Harbor Yacht Club located at 8209 Stinson Ave, Gig Harbor, WA 98332. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Dr. Richard Olivier with the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation by calling 1-877-980-7500 or by visiting www.nwpf.org.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Marcel Olivier, MD, please click here. For more information please go to www.havenrest.com.
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