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
December 2004
Photo caption: Kindergartners Erika Seehafer, Emma Combs and Sienna Reid stand in the UAS, Sitka Campus, hall during an exhibition of art made by pupils in their class. The kids studied the work of Vincent van Gogh and made their own versions of his art.
50 YEARS AGO
December 1974
From On the Go: We don’t want to let the season pass without a word of appreciation for what has become a Sitka tradition: the pre-Christmas caroling cruise of the decorated ALP tug Alapul. Mill Manager George Gouker poits out that quite a lot of planning and effort go into the event, which is purely a voluntary thing with the tug skipper and crew. So thanks, fellows, for a really nice holiday treat.
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