Herb passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in the company of his beloved wife March 10, 2003. We were told by hospice nurses that he heard all of our goings on throughout the weekend, and we think he would have approved. There were lots of stories of Coupeville and family days gone by; Ken played the accordion in true multigenerational Pickard fashion; Jillian and crew assembled a work project; we shared poetry, music, memories, laughter and tears.

Herb was born in Seattle on Nov. 21, 1918. We’re grateful that his parents, Moritz and Ernestine moved to Coupeville in June of 1921, when they and Ernestine’s sister and brother-in-law, bought Prairie Center Mercantile which was the hub of Pickard life for more than half a century. Herb bought the store upon his parents’ retirement in 1946, launching his successful business career that was always overshadowed by his devotion to his customers, community life, and passion for farming and music.

Herb graduated from Coupeville High School with a group of 12 friends in 1936. That fall he went off to the city where he attended the University of Washington for two years, then transferred to Oregon State University to major in agronomy, the study of seeds and soil chemistry, a town and major more akin to his interests. During his college years he was a gymnast, and played accordion with a dance band, activities with which he entertained us throughout his life.

After graduation Herb worked for the state of Washington Department of Agriculture. During his tenure with the state he met Muriel and they married in 1942. With the war looming Herb enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he spent several years in the South Pacific. He was discharged from active duty as a lieutenant in 1946.

Herb was an original principal in Island Savings and Loan, now Pacific Northwest Bank, where he served as director and vice-chairman of the board of directors. He retired as an emeritus board member at 75 years of age. Herb also enjoyed his business partnership in Koetje & Pickard Co.

Herb loved Whidbey Island and devoted years of his life volunteering for the community. He served on the Fire District; was a member of Island County Planning Commission; Island County Solid Waste Committee; and the Island County Board of Tax Equalization. He was vice president of the U.S. Navy League; a member since 1946 of Coupeville Lions Club; on the Board of United Way; chairman of Whidbey Island Puget Sound Power & Light Citizen Advisory Council; on the Housing Commission for Senior Apartments and helped establish the Ebey’s Prairie National Reserve. Herb was a member of Whidbey Playhouse board and served on the Senior Services Financial Investment Board.

He was proud of his membership on the board of the Island County Museum where he worked hard to help raise money for the new building.

Herb will be remembered for his quick wit, leadership, diplomacy, story telling, great sense of humor, love and commitment to family, and good old-fashioned common sense. He never met a person he didn’t like.

Herb leaves his wife Muriel; their son Ken, and his family Claire and Aaron; daughter Jan, and her family Anne Harvey, Daniel Nieder, Jillian Nieder and Tyler Harvey; and his sister and brother-in-law Delphanie and Mayer Baron of Camano Island. His sister, Muriel “Sissy” Bank, preceded him in death. Herb had a number of nieces and nephews, and their children, whom he loved.

Graveside family services will be held in Seattle at Hills of Eternity. A memorial celebration will be held at Coupeville Methodist Church Friday, March 14, at 4 p.m. Contributions in Herb’s memory may be made to the Island County Historical Museum, P.O. Box 305, Coupeville, WA 98239; Coupeville Lions Club, P.O. Box 918, Coupeville, WA 98239; or the Alzheimer’s Association, 919 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60611.