R. Merrel Olesen, MD

R. Merrel Olesen, MD, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, physician, colleague, mentor, and friend, a pioneer in plastic surgery, an entrepreneur, and a gentle, kind man, died peacefully surrounded by his wife Marie and family.

His death at age 90 from multiple organ failure at Prebys Cardiovascular Institute came as a shock to those closest to him, for he was a man who had endured and overcome many health issues, each time emerging revitalized and optimistic.

When asked by his brother how he’d like to be remembered, Merrel said, “I wanted my life to do as much good as it could. I wanted my life to be a blessing to as many people as possible….”

An innovator of his era, both to those who loved him and in the field of plastic surgery, Merrel reveled in others’ successes. He loved helping family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers. Merrel was a great listener and often ingenious in his approach to problem-solving. Always fascinated by what people were doing with their lives, he loved coaching others through challenging decisions that would sculpt their lives. He gained great joy from the bright minds and kind hearts of his beloved granddaughters, Greta and Johanna.

A third-generation Californian, Merrel was born in Petaluma on December 26, 1932, the oldest of four children born to Lucile and Ray Olesen. Raised in bucolic Marin County as a strict Seventh-day Adventist, he crossed the Golden Gate Bridge the day it opened, May 27, 1937, foreshadowing his own epic journey.

As a boy, he had a dog named Buster, a love of open spaces, and a close friend named Commodore. He helped his father hand-build ‘Timbrick’ houses throughout the county, beautiful homes that stand the test of time. It was this early craftsmanship that helped Merrel see that he had near-magical powers in his hands and precise hand-eye coordination which he would later use to such great effect as a surgeon.

At age 16, he traveled alone on the RMS Aquitania to a Europe devastated by World War II. He attended school in England (Newbold College, Bracknell, 1949-1950) and then France, (Campus Adventiste du Salève, Collonges-sous-Salève near Geneva 1950-1951) where he became a life-long Francophile and world traveler.

Eager to serve his country after graduating from Pacific Union College in 1954, he entered the Army and volunteered for the Army’s biologic warfare testing program at Fort Dietrich, Maryland (1954-1956). The Adventist church had negotiated this non-combatant opportunity for its members. He is featured in the documentary film, “Operation Whitecoat”, which tells the story of this Cold War-era human experiment involving yellow fever, plague and tularemia.

Merrel went on to complete his medical degree in 1960 at Loma Linda University and his Otolaryngology (ENT) specialization at Columbia Presbyterian in 1965. After practicing ENT in Maryland and La Jolla for 10 years, he completed a second residency at the University of Michigan in 1977 to become a double-boarded plastic surgeon, where his kindness, judgment, ingenuity, and surgical skill helped innumerable patients live their best lives.

He dearly loved his three children, Scott, Matthew, and Laura who were born to him and his first wife, Elvi Tobiassen Olesen. He coached baseball and softball, took the family skiing and on many cross-country drives to visit family and friends. That all three excelled at athletics was a bonus. Merrel loved sports and competing himself. He excelled at track, cycling, ping pong, volleyball, running, skiing, tennis and racquet ball but golf was his greatest passion.

His near-death heart attack and quadruple bypass in 1980 at age 47 proved the first of many close calls. Initially given a year to live, doctors and technology, including 20 cardiac stents, extended his life and legacy.

In 1981, after a whirlwind courtship, he married Marie Bonvillain Olesen, the love of his life. Not knowing initially how long they’d have together, their marriage ultimately lasted 42 happy and productive years. Their progeny are three businesses with loving work families. Merrel had a patriarchal spirit and was loved by both his and Marie’s extended families including Elvi, her second husband and his children.

Known as an exceptional and precise surgeon, “Super Stitch" became Head of the Division of Plastic Surgery at Scripps Clinic in 1981. Recognizing the unique needs of aesthetic patients, he founded La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre in 1988. He spent 5 years writing patient education materials which were so helpful to his patients that in 1994 he and Marie created Inform Software, the first CRM for plastic surgeons. It is still in use today and has helped millions of patients.

Merrel and Marie co-authored Cosmetic Surgery For Dummies which Wiley published in 2005. In 2011, The Olesens were granted a US patent for RealPatientRatings© which they founded to provide 100% verified ratings that could be trusted by practices and consumers. Days before his death, Merrel was delighted to learn that it had surpassed one million patient ratings.

In 2013, when the diminishing distance of his golf swing frustrated him, Merrel turned his passion for competition from Gin Rummy to Duplicate Bridge. Unsurprisingly, he quickly became a Life Master and was a few points away from earning 1000 master points.

Merrel and Marie shared a belief in philanthropy and business alike, believing the more prosperous they were, the more people they could help. They supported and participated in many San Diego charities. One life-altering night, he met Sister Antonia Brenner, an American nun committed to helping “the poorest of the poor” in La Mesa Penitentiary in Tijuana. She told Merrel she had been praying for a plastic surgeon to operate on the prisoners. Merrel instantly volunteered and he and his “nurse” Marie traveled to Tijuana monthly for ten years.

Merrel leaves an eternal image as a compassionate, intelligent, successful, and charismatic man, whose legacy inspires kindness, productivity, and generosity.

He is survived by his wife Marie; children, Scott, Matthew, and Laura; Matt’s wife, Jennifer; and their daughters, Greta and Johanna. He was predeceased by his parents and his sisters, Ingrid Spring and Nina Torrano, and is survived by his youngest sibling, Ole C. Olesen, sister-in-law Yvonne, and ten beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of R. Merrel Olesen, MD to Scripps Health or St. Michael’s Foundation or to a charity of your choice. For gifts to Scripps, please designate the Scripps Clinic Cardiology Fellows fund; www.donate.scripps.org or call 858-667-2622. Donations supporting elementary education in the center city may be sent to the St. Michael’s Foundation, 401 West “A” Street, #2600, San Diego, CA 92101.