Luther David Solverson

Colonel Solverson is a native of the state of Wisconsin, growing up on a dairy farm. He earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in 1966. He completed his Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree in 1975 from Ohio State University (GO BUCKEYES), and later completed a Masters Degree (M.A.) in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University.

Dr. Solverson has completed over 38 years of reserve and active service to the U.S. Army. He began his career in 1966 with the Army Reserve in Madison, Wisconsin, later serving with the Ohio National Guard where he completed Officer Candidate School in 1970 and was commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant. He began his active career as an optometrist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 1975, later serving at Aberdeen Proving Ground. His next assignment was in Landstuhl, West Germany, and then returned to the US Army Environmental Hygiene. In 1990 he was deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield/Storm, serving with XVIII Airborne Corps and the 85^th Evacuation Hospital. Colonel Solverson’s next assignments took him to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, back to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and finally to Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Expert Field Medical Badge, and various other awards.

Colonel Solverson retired from the Army in 2004, and continued to work as an optometrist at the Fort Gordon hospital for the next 11 years. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, three daughters, and his 7 grandchildren.

Dr. Solverson is survived by his beloved wife, Joan; daughters Hayley Elizabeth Scott (Stewart) and Tracy Lee Browne (Curt); grandchildren Brandon Clark, Kayla Browne, Bryce Banks, Shelby Banks, London Browne, Blake Banks, and Brooklyn Scott; and brother Paul Solverson (Nita). Preceding him in death are his parents Odell Solverson and Clarice Christensen Solverson, daughter Karen Blalock; and brothers Ole Solverson and Lyle Solverson.

A service honoring his memory will be held at Our Savior Episcopal Church on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation