Dr Oliver Ludwig Puttler, Jr.: 1940-2026

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OLIVER LUDWIG PUTTLER, JR.

OLIVER LUDWIG PUTTLER, JR.
June 24, 1940 – April 19, 2026
Humboldt County, CAOLIVER PUTTLER, O.L., OLLIE, JERRY, or DR. PUTTLER to most, walked hand-in-hand with JESUS April 19, 2026.Beginning his life as the first born named after his father as Oliver Ludwig Puttler, Jr. in Milwaukee, WI.  His mother Bergliot (Hefte) insisted he be named after his father.  It was Oliver Senior who bestowed the nickname JERRY.  Its origin harkened back to a job at a bakery that Oliver Senior held from 1928-1932.  His boss was named Jerry, and he cherished the name and passed it on.  Bergliot and Oliver Senior would add a sister, Karen, and then a baby brother, Jim.  The family of five resided in a ranch style home with a pool in San Marino, California.  Oliver would follow in the parental footprints of medicine: His mother was a Nurse and his father was a Physician.He graduated from Stanford in the top three of his class and with Phi Beta Kappa, then went to University of California San Francisco Medical School graduating in the top three of his class, as well.  That is when the title of Dr. Puttler was bestowed on him. He did his internship at Yale University.

In 1967, he joined up with the Air Force as a general physician, but was redirected to obstetrics.  He was stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base until 1969.  He was discharged and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Southern California, working at Los Angeles County Women’s Hospital.

In the late 1970’s, he was with a four-obstetrician practice at Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, California known to his associates as O.L. and Ollie.  The large, gentle, helpful hands of Dr. Puttler would continue on from medical school to bring thousands of new lives into the world.  His calm, gentle, easy-going personality helped to reassure the thousands of hormonally imbalanced and anxious, young to older women that ” everything will be just fine.”  He devoted his whole being to his profession and his patients.  For appointments and phone calls, patients were met with someone who genuinely gave them their undivided attention and years of experience and knowledge.

Along with obstetrics and gynecology as his profession, Oliver had created a family that helped keep him young.  Married in 1965, he would follow his father and be blessed to have a first-born son to which was named after the parental side, Oliver or Ollie.  He was followed up by a son, Eric, and a daughter, Kristina, called Kris.
Married again in 1980 to wife Karen, daughter Sandi, joined, and then followed by daughter, Megan.  They resided in the hills of Glendale, California in a two-story home with a pool.  With extended family and friends, The Puttler’s were, “The Place” to have a party.  Jerry’s “Famous Margarita’s” and that Pool, made for beautiful and long-lasting relationships and memories.

Brought up Lutheran and going to Lutheran churches throughout his life, Zion Lutheran Church in Glendale, California, was where the Puttler family attended and worshiped for ten years.   Many longtime friendships began and continue today.
In 1990, the then family of four got an offer to transition and slow down.  They moved to an unknown part of California, farther north than San Francisco, to beautiful, green-wooded Humboldt County.  Setting up a private practice at Mad River Community Hospital in Arcata, California, his practice thrived for over 35 years.
The connections he developed between fellow doctors, nurses, hospital staff, not just at Mad River, but St. Joseph Hospital, Redwood Hospital, and the local clinics, ran deep and widespread.

Dr. Puttler was involved in a number of organizations: The Pregnancy Care Center, The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, the two churches he attended, Lutheran Church of Arcata and New Heart Community Church in McKinleyville.  As well as, most school-oriented events and activities while his daughters attended local educational establishments.

Beginning in 2001, yet another title was bestowed on the beloved doctor and family man: “Granddaddy!”  Between four of his children, eleven deeply loved and cherished grandchildren joined the Legacy.   Thanks to the advancement of technology, he stayed as much involved in everyone’s lives as much as possible when not occupied with deliveries.  When out-of-town family and friends visited, a mandatory trip to the Sequoia Park Zoo interacting with the Gibbons (when they were in residence) and watching the resident “Gibbon Whisperer” speak to the wiry and agile primates.
Another mandatory requirement when in Humboldt was to engage in “Game Time” at the house: Scattegories, 221 B Bakerstreet, Trivial Pursuit, Monkey Game, Five Crowns, and Blockus.
The family man and physician will be forever loved, fondly remembered, and deeply missed!  Oliver was preceded in death by his father and mother.  He is survived by his wife, Karen Puttler; his son Oliver Puttler (Kirsten) and sons: Karl, Alec, Drew; his son Eric Puttler (Dawn) and daughters: Ava, Alexis, Olivia; his daughter Kristina Miller (Christopher) and daughters: Nicole, Samantha; his daughter Sandi Cox (Michael) and children: Zane, Grady, Tatum; and his daughter Megan Puttler.  Also surviving are his sister Karen Grobien; his brother Jim Puttler; countless nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A celebration of life will be held at New Heart Community Church in McKinleyville on July 11, 2026 at 11a.m. If you are unable to attend, the service will be streamed online.
It will be on the New Heart Community Church Facebook page.
If you would like to donate something in memory of Oliver Puttler, you can direct that to New Heart Community Church for the development of the parking lot.