Gary Harwood Erb
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- Category: Obituaries
- Created on Tuesday, 09 December 2014 12:36
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Former longtime Sitka fisherman Gary Harwood Erb died with family at his bedside on Nov. 29, 2014, at his home in Anacortes, Wash. He was 81.
He was born July 20, 1933, in Spokane, Wash.
Gary was a commercial fisherman for more than 50 years, trolling mostly out of Sitka, on the Nomad, Lurch, Queen Ann, Chancy and the Splice.
He was part of the ground-breaking crew in Sitka for the Seafood Producers Coop fish plant, now a leading salmon producer in today’s market. He served on the SPC board of directors and on the board of the Alaska Trollers Association. Gary built a number of trollers for himself and others over the years.
He also built several homes, including a log home, in Sitka, and extensively remodeled two homes in Anacortes.
He enjoyed woodworking, creating rowboats, rocking chairs and driftwood benches. His ingenuity and tenacity to make things work was legendary, friends said, and he was a master “Gary-rigger.”
In recent years, he was able to make light of challenging circumstances using a great sense of humor. His faith in God was a great comfort to him. Gary had a way of making one feel truly special upon arrival; his face would light up with a ready smile and twinkling blue eyes. He really enjoyed pulling pranks on people he cared about.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and one sister; his wife of 44 years, Ann Erb; and son Randy Erb.
He is survived by siblings Connie, Randy, Victoria, Jon, Kurt, Regina, and Julie; daughters Melody Douglas (Denis Douglas) of Soldotna, Ruth Ann Robinson (Joel Johnson) of Anacortes, Kim Delany (Dave Cocchi) of Shelton, Wash.; and son Michael Erb (Roberta Rinehart) of Anchorage.
Five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren also survive.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Gentry House, 1208 7th Street, Anacortes, WA 98221 are suggested.
A private family urn committal service was held at Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes, and a memorial service was held Dec. 4 at the Family Life Assembly of God, Anacortes.
To share memories of Gary, friends may sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
Arrangements were in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes.
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20 YEARS AGO
February 2005
Photo caption: S&S General Contractors crew bury conduit along Sawmill Creek Road as part of a sewer line project. They’ve been working only at night, using portable lights to direct traffic. Sitkans living between Shotgun Alley and Indian River Road are asked not to use drains or toilets Thursday as pump stations will be turned off.
50 YEARS AGO
February 1975
Photo caption: Five players selected for the first All Tournament team in the American Legion Southeast Alaska Basketball Tournament hold their trophies. From left are Jeff Klanott, Klukwan ANB; Rick Ludigsen, Ketchikan Webber Air; Al Kookesh, Angoon ANB; Terry Friske, Klukwan ANB; and Mike Erickson, Ketchikan Webber Air.
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