Harvey William Herrigstad

Harvey W. Herrigstad

Nov. 1, 1934 –

Nov. 23, 2015

Harvey William Herrigstad was born on Nov. 10, 1934, in Pontiac, Mich., to William and Cora Herrigstad. During his youth, Harvey lived in Elizabeth Lake, Mich.; Lengby, Minn.; Paradise, Calif.; Kalispell, Mont.; and Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, where he finished high school and met the love of his life, Rose Ann Jensen. He completed his associate’s degree at North Idaho Junior College and earned his mechanical engineering degree at the University of Idaho in 1956. Soon thereafter, he and Rose Ann were married and remained happily so for nearly 60 years, until his death.

After college, Harvey worked for a short period for Boeing in the Seattle area and joined the Navy in 1957. Harvey excelled as a naval officer, becoming an aviator, an instructor pilot. He earned his master’s in meteorology and served in Vietnam and in various staff and command roles at multiple duty stations across the nation. Harvey earned the rank of captain and retired from the military in 1980 and moved to Oak Harbor, where he and Rose Ann remained and were both active members of the community.

Harvey was a member of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church for decades, holding various leadership roles, and was a key contributor in building the present Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, where the church has a fellowship hall named in his honor. Harvey was one of the founding members of Oak Harbor Habitat for Humanity and one of the many home builders who constructed dozens of homes for families in need of affordable housing. He was also an active member of the Oak Harbor Lions Club and other military-related associations.

Harvey’s most proud accomplishment was the raising of his four children: Kathy, Carl, Dale and Dan – three of whom followed in his military footsteps having served honorably in the Air Force, Marines and the Army. Besides his children, he is also survived by his wife, Rose Ann, who now lives in Anacortes, 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren (one on the way), and his brother, Gerald, who lives in Sacramento.

Harvey was a role model in the community; a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather; and an honorable veteran of our military. He was greatly loved and respected and is incredibly missed, but he will not be forgotten.

Harvey’s memorial service was held in Oak Harbor in November, but his ashes will be interned at Tahoma National Cemetery with military honors during a ceremony at 11 a.m. on June 6, 2016.