Herbert was born on Dec. 30, 1918 in Taft, Calif. The family moved to Paradise, Calif., early the 1930s, where he resided until January 1941, when he enlisted in the California National Guard, Company G, 184th Infantry. His first campaign was the Aleutians in 1943, followed by Kwajalein, Marshalls, in 1944, Leyte, Philippines, in 1944, and Okinawa, Japan, in April 1945. He was honorably discharged in September 1945. He came to Alaska in 1946 for summer work and returned again in mid-1947 to stay.
Herbert was a member of the Teamsters Local Union 959 and worked construction all over the state. In the late 1940s to early 1950s he worked for M.K. Company construction and from 1956 to 1962 at several White Alice sites.
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Herbert earned his pilot’s license in January 1950 and his hobbies included flying, hunting and helping others. For many years he volunteered for the Blind Camp, held at Tukuskoya Camp, Flat Lake, near Big Lake.
His family wrote, “He was a hard worker, spending his vacations quite often helping others. He thoroughly enjoyed it. He was optimistic, always saw the ‘good’ in everyone. As everyone said, ‘to know Herbert was to love him.”’He leaves a great void in everyone’s heart. His family is most grateful for the loving and tender care he received from the caregivers at Colony Manor.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Virginia Spreen, step-children, Elaine Webb of Oregon, Don Eddie of Anchorage, sister and brother-in-law Bea and Mark Marquez of California, many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers Clarence, Leonard and Edward.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kehl’s Palmer Chapel. www.legacyalaska.com
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