Category: In Memoriam

Last World War II Post 3063 member passes away

On Thursday, January 18, 2024, VFW Post 3063 Comrade and our last World War II veteran, Edward “Ed” Roy Westing passed away at age 97 in Seattle. Ed was born June 19, 1926 in New York, NY to Carl and Anna (Brünges) Westing.

He was a WWII veteran, serving in the Army Air Force where he was stationed in the Pacific with the 20th Air Force. Ed graduated with a business degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1972 and worked at Westinghouse in Baltimore, Maryland as a technical writer for more than 20 years. He was passionate about chess, receiving a meritorious service award from the U.S. Chess Federation in 2019. For many years Ed wrote a chess column for the Jeffersonian Newspaper in Towson, Maryland, and was the longtime president of the Towson Chess Club and member of the Maryland Chess Association. Ed was also known for his love of movies and his impressive book collection. He relocated to Seattle in 2016 to be close to his daughter and enjoyed frequent visits to the Seattle Swedish Club and the National Nordic Museum. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith, of 35 years. He is survived by his daughter Karen, son-in-law Chintan, and extended family and friends.

Charter draped for Bob Hagenbaugh

Comrade Robert Hagenbaugh, age 101, of Bonny Lake, passed away on Jan. 21, 2023. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II in the Pacific Theater. At our July business meeting, we draped the post charter with a black cloth, and it will remain draped for 30 days in his honor. Rest in peace, comrade.

In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Bert Usitalo

In Memoriam
Comrade Bert Usitalo, age 87, of Seattle, passed away on Feb. 11, 2023. He served in the U.S. Army with time in Korea from 1956-1957. At our May business meeting, we draped the post charter with a black cloth, and it will remain draped for 30 days in his honor. Rest in peace, comrade.

In Memoriam (4th Quarter 2022)

In Memoriam
Comrade Erwin Boyer, age 87, of Edmonds, passed away on September 24, 2022. He served in the Marine Corps in Korea and Army in Vietnam. At our next business meeting, the post charter will be draped with a black cloth for 30 days in his honor. Rest in peace, comrade.

In Memoriam (3rd Quarter 2022)

In Memoriam
  Comrade Don Wennerlind, age 92 passed away on April 23, 2022. He served in the Army in the Korean War. Don was active with the post in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Both of his parents were very active as well.

    In updating our roster, we were notified of the following passings:
Comrade Oscar Elmer Borchelt, age 100, of Maple Valley passed away on August 13, 2021. He served in the Army in World War II. Comrade Borchelt was our post commander for seven years, from 1991-1998, and was active in our post until the past few years when advancing age and retreating eyesight restricted his driving.
   
Comrade David Wikstrom, age 91, of Seattle passed away on July 6, 2021. David served in the Navy in the Korean war as a crew member of the light aircraft carrier USS Bataan. He attended many Navy reunions and kept contact with other crew members. He often quoted Shakespeare when mentioning the war; “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.”