Timothy Thomas "Tim" Olsem, 74, of Santa Rosa Beach, FL passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

Tim was born in St. Paul, MN, minutes before his twin brother, Thomas on October 1, 1948, to John and Edna Olsem. The family moved to Clarendon Hills, IL, where the twins and their older brother John spent their childhood. They made up games, epic challenges and generally tested the limits of their mother's sanity. They participated in The Test of a Man (pause for the jingle), ordered chameleons in the mail only to immediately lose them around the house, and shattered the light in their bedroom after swinging belts around and slept on the broken glass so their mom wouldn't find out.

In 1966, Tim graduated from Hinsdale Township High School and was a little lost. The United States' involvement in Vietnam was ramping up, and Tim's father was ready to offer some guidance. "You have two choices," his dad said. "You can enlist, or you can enlist."

Tim began his active duty in the US Army on September 18, 1967. He served in Vietnam twice between April 1968 to April 1969 and June 1970 to June 1971. During his military career, he was a Green Beret and a paratrooper in the 173 ^rd Airborne Brigade. While in the military, Tim learned to tinker with arms and aircrafts and held his brotherhood and service to the highest standards. He earned multiple Bronze Star medals for his service to his country and his friends.

When he returned home from Vietnam, Tim was reunited with the two things he missed most: McDonald's hamburgers and his mother. He was incredibly proud of his time in the military, and kept rooms and closets full of medals, patches and memorabilia. He took every chance he had to teach kids and adults about the sacrifice and service of Vietnam vets and often spoke at local schools and events.

Tim attended Lewis University and graduated with a degree in Aircraft Maintenance Management in 1974. With his military experience, a college degree and very impressive mustache, he was hired by Quaker Oats as a Plant Manager in Cedar Rapids, IA.

With Quaker, Tim worked in plants across the country. He spent time in Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, Missouri, Indiana and California. He built and managed plants, produced snacks and beverages still enjoyed today, and even caused a power outage or two. He became an expert in his field.

In the 70s and 80s, he spent his weekends sailing a Hobie around Lake McBride and driving his '68 Corvette. He was always moving.

By the early 90s, Quaker Oats brought him in to the corporate office in Chicago where he began to challenge their engineering practices and innovate production with new technology. At work, Tim was respected and feared. He was known as a badass and a hardass who fought for his people and encouraged everyone to be their best. He also saw everyone on a human level and had your back 100% if a mistake was made. He became known for his wise cracks, cutting criticism and a guffaw heard around the office. Tim protected his people and carried his best teams to PepsiCo after they acquired Quaker Oats in 2001. He even joined the team at Coca-Cola in Atlanta in 2010 with a full team of friends and colleagues beside him.

Not only was his professional presence larger than life, but his hobbies outsized his peers'. In the 90s and 2000s, Tim expanded his extracurriculars to include motorcycles and triathlons. He completed two Iron Man competitions in 2000 and 2001 and countless other races across the country with his friends. Some he trained for, some he decidedly did not (and he usually got better times when less prepared).

In 2018, Tim retired from the Coca-Cola Company, and lasted approximately five minutes as a retiree. He continued to consult for Coke, travelling to different plants in different countries and spending time on his friends' projects. His opinions were as highly respected as they were sought after, and his creativity was unmatched.

After "retiring," Tim landed on the beach in Florida and picked up every water-based activity known to man. He would kayak, paddleboard, sunbathe, swim, collect scallops, and plant seashells on the beach for his grandkids to discover. He joined a roving group of adventurers in Airstream trailers and drove across the country visiting state parks and attending Airstream rallies.

Tim Olsem spent 74 years on earth tinkering, putzing around, and talking to anyone who would listen. No one was safe from his random, just-thinking-of-you phone calls. He kept in touch with every neighbor he's ever had. Tim cherished his daughters and supported each one's uniqueness, investing in their interests and genuinely loving their quirks. He excelled at being a Girl Dad, and effortlessly stepped into his role as Grandpa.

Tim is preceded in death by his mother, Edna Olsem; his father, John Olsem; and his twin brother, Thomas Olsem.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer Olsem, of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; an older brother, John Olsem, of Yorkville, IL;  his four daughters and son-in-laws, Shannon (Matt) Nelson, of Crystal Lake, IL, Lisa (James) Clark, of Oswego, IL, Mollie Olsem, of Chicago, IL, and Evan Olsem, of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; as well as three grandchildren, Grace Nelson, Keegan Clark and Konnor Clark.

Visitation will be held from 9:30am until a Memorial Service to begin at 11:30am Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, in Pensacola, FL. A committal service will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL, with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation.