Ronald James Oliversen

Dr. Ronald James Oliversen of Laurel, MD, passed away at home on September 28, 2021 after a difficult battle with Multiple Myeloma.  The illness never took away his spirit, hope or will to live.   

Ron was born on November 13, 1953 (Friday the 13th – he said it was his lucky day).  A proud native of Madison, WI, he lived for more than 35 years in Maryland, where he and his wife, Nancy, raised their family.  He earned his PhD in Physics from the University of Wisconsin and he remained a lifelong Badgers (and Packers) fan.  Ron was employed his entire career with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as a Planetary Scientist.  He held several positions at NASA/GSFC including, the Magnetometer Instrument Manager and Planetary Magnetospheres Associate Lab Chief.  He also mentored many PhD candidate student interns at NASA/GSFC and through colleagues at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the University of Wisconsin.

Ron was a devoted husband, father, friend, coworker, teacher, and neighbor.   He is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Patrick Oliversen and Christopher Oliversen; mother, Kathleen Oliversen;  bother, Rolf Erik (Debra); two sisters, Barbara (Robert) Lehmann and Lynn (John) Sweeney; and several nieces and nephews, Chelsea (Michael) Goeser, Hannah Sullivan, Jordon, Kailey and Connor Sweeney, Leslie Oliversen and Ryan (Megan) Oliversen.

He was preceded in death by his Father, Rolf Foyn Oliversen.

His family wishes to thank all our friends, neighbors and co-workers for their support these past months. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the University of Wisconsin Foundation (supportuw.org).  Private services will be held in Madison, WI.  A celebration of life will be held locally in Maryland at a later date.

Forever in our hearts, we miss you Ron.

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