Category: In Memoriam

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.”

In Memoriam: Chuck Tuft

Comrade Charles (Chuck) Wesley Tuft, age 89, of Seattle, passed away March 20, 2022. He qualified for VFW membership through service in Korea (KSM) 1953-54. Chuck was living away from home when his mother called in late summer of 1952 to tell him his draft notice had arrived in the mail. He didn’t want to be drafted so went to the U.S. Air Force recruiting station. When they asked if he had received his draft notice, he answered (truthfully) that he hadn’t seen it.


He joined the USAF in October of 1952, went through basic, Radio Operator Fundamentals School and graduated from Ground Radio Operator School in August 1953. In a strange coincidence, he was assigned to an Army unit in Korea as a liaison radio operator. The Army unit said they didn’t need him since they had their own radio operators. Chuck said the Army First Sergeant told him to make himself scarce, especially when inspectors or other higher ranks came around. Chuck was successful at that and served his year in Korea playing sports on the Army teams. After Korea he was assigned to a real USAF unit in Japan, where the personnel sergeant wanted to know why he hadn’t received the normal promotion for his time-in-grade. Upon hearing Chuck’s explanation, they promoted him, and he served out his time in Japan and Texas.


For many years, Chuck bowled on the Ballard Post-sponsored team. He was an active member of the post until Covid hit in March 2020.


At our April business meeting, the post charter will be draped with a black cloth for 30 days in his honor. Rest in peace, comrade.