Henry W. Huntsman

Henry W. Huntsman passed away on July 7, 2019, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born June 26, 1937 in Los Angeles. He grew up in LA’s Mandeville Canyon, where he loved to ride horses in the then still-open hills and valleys. In 1961, he graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, where he met the love of his life, Patty, as well as many dear life-long friends. In 1964, Henry graduated from law school at the University of Washington. He worked for 43 years as a judge for the State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, retiring in his 70s. Henry lived a full life. He had a lifelong love of the outdoors. He went on countless hiking and camping trips. He raced sail boats on Lake Washington. He raced bicycles in Seattle. He summited all of the mountains in the Pacific Northwest, including Mt. St Helens when it still had a top, Mt. Rainier four times, Mt. Baker and others. He became an excellent skier, and was a ski patrolman at the old Hyak area on Snoqualmie Pass. Henry and Patty spent many years birding throughout the western U.S. At one point, Henry could easily identify seven or eight different kinds of hawks by sight. He loved words and always had a stack of books on his bedside table. He loved bluegrass and old blues music, as well as Vivaldi, Beethoven and Bach. In January of 1986, he earned his pilot’s license and restored an old Citabria, N602Z. He flew many hours in Washington, Oregon and California, another one of his many passions. Henry loved dogs and had three Labrador retrievers that he was devoted to. He was well known around town for wearing one or another of his numerous Labrador tee shirts and hats. In the 1970s, Henry blew the motor in his Porsche and resolved to rebuild it on the kitchen table. After many months, it was finally a successful rebuild, and Patty was relieved to have the kitchen table back for normal use. Henry spent countless hours remodeling their 1936 house in Olympia, doing carpentry, wiring, roofing, building fences, landscaping. Henry had the ability to fix almost anything. He had wisdom and experience as well. Henry lived in Olympia his last 40 years. He loved hanging out at some of his favorite places, such as Dancing Goats, Bread Peddler and Water Street Cafe. In the last part of his life, Henry lived a short time at Brookdale East and then at The Hampton Alzheimer’s facility. The family is grateful for his wonderful caregiver, Dawn Hemminger, and to all his other caregivers as well for their kindness. Henry Huntsman is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Patty; his son, John Huntsman, and daughter-in-law, Jennifer; his sister, Pamela Hook; brother-in-law, Gary Forrest, and sister-in-law, Bev; as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved. Henry will perhaps be most missed for his wisdom, wit, intelligence, friendship, and wonderful and detailed stories that are now sadly lost to time and faded memories. Live life fully as he did, Carpe Diem. A celebration of Henry’s life will be held Saturday, September 21, 2019, 2:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1925 Bloulevard Road SE, Olympia, WA 98501. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that anyone wishing to honor Henry’s memory consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Organization (alz.org/), or to any animal-related charity of your choice.