Hoy Harrison Washburn

1921-2011

Hoy Harrison Washburn passed away peacefully at his Kamilche Point home with his family April 19, 2011.  He was born to Harry Leo and Amanda Delphine Washburn on April 1, 1921 in San Leandro, Ca. the third of four children. He grew up in Hayward, Ca. and lived in Seattle and Foster City, Ca. before retiring to Kamilche Point on Totten Inlet near Shelton.

Hoy was always fascinated by radio and electronics.  As a kid he set up his own radio shack in his back yard.  His interest moved on to television and then computer technology.  He built his own organ that he learned to play and his first computer.  He did his best to stay up with advances in technology to his final days.  He introduced his grandsons to computers and greatly enjoyed talking with them about the things they were doing with their increasing technological sophistication.  Hoy's interest in electronics led him into the field of radio operation and avionics during his military service and afterwards.  He was one of the pioneers in the post-war development of commercial aviation in the northwest as an avionics installation and maintenance specialist with Boeing, West Coast Airways and Alaska Airlines before becoming a Supervisor for Aviation Safety Inspection, Oakland, Ca. for the Federal Aviation Administration from which he retired in 1985.

 Hoy started his aviation career as a member of the Boeing Fight test crews for B-17’s and the very first B-29’s  Hoy joined the FAA in 1964 Hoy was a Ham radio operator with a network of friends across the country.  He became a 32nd degree Mason while in Seattle.  He enjoyed travel and with his first wife, Camille, was an RVer for several years.  In recent years he became an avid genealogist who identified the Mayflower roots of his branch of his family.  He expanded his circle of friends through his on-line and in person research and sharing information and giving assistance to other amateur genealogists.

 He is survived by his wife Patti, his sister Ethel of Sacramento, Ca., daughter Carole Washburn and husband Verne Gibbs of Olympia and son Richard Washburn of Lacey, grandsons Brandon and wife Vanessa Rosage and Tyson Rosage and Nick and Dylan Washburn. He had two great-grandsons Jackson Washburn and Hudson Rosage. He is also survived by his family through marriage to Patti, daughter Christina Barry and grandchildren Shayna and Doug Barry. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Camille, and brothers Carl of Seattle and Ray of Canoga Park, Ca.

 Hoy was a gentleman, a thoughtful man, a solid and loving family man, a willing mentor and a reliable, compassionate friend.  He will be deeply missed by all who knew and were touched by him but his spirit will live on in our hearts and our memories.  Go with God, Hoy.