Gary Vanderwerf

Gary Milo Vanderwerf, 76, of Poulsbo, WA, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2016, at Kanmar Place, a division of Casa de la Luz Hospice in Tucson, AZ after a lengthy battle with COPD. Gary is survived by his wife, Diane; daughter, Kim Hoover of San Fernando, CA; sons David and Derek; step-son Richard Christman; and granddaughter Kelsy Christman, all of Bremerton, WA; his mother, Wilma Vanderwerf; and his two sisters, Sharon Peterson and Joan Jarnigan, all from the Sacramento, CA area. He was preceded in death by his father, Milo Vanderwerf. Gary was born in Yuba City, CA on May 19, 1939. He was raised in northern California in the small town of Gridley during an era when kids could safely run free, riding his bike all over town with his faithful dog, Rocky, always by his side. He played sports and enjoyed hunting and fishing from a very early age. He enjoyed music and held the position of first trumpet at Gridley High School, and was often invited by his band teacher to play in adult dance bands. Gary joined the Navy in 1956 and served until 1967. He served in the submarine service on the USS Tunny, USS Bashaw, and USS Perch. He did WestPac tours that took him to many ports including Adak, AK, the Philippines, Japan, Hawaii, and New Zealand. He has since enjoyed many annual reunions with his Navy buddies from the Bashaw, at various locations such as Estes Park, CO, Iowa Falls, IA, and New Orleans, telling sea-stories and reminiscing about shore duty and life at sea. Upon discharge from the Navy, Gary went to work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as an Electrician. He also worked for several years at SupShips in San Diego, CA, and ended his 38-year civilian Navy career at Trident Refit Facility at Subase Bangor as the Head of the Electrical Division. After retirement, Gary continued to enjoy hunting , fishing, traveling, and playing golf until his COPD prevented that level of activity. Then, for 10 years, he and his wife became “snowbirds”, spending winters enjoying the sunshine in Tucson, AZ. But regardless of where he was living, he never failed to follow his Seahawks and Mariners! Despite the difficulties of the final stages of his disease, Gary enjoyed life to the fullest, full of hope, humor, and gratitude for all the pleasures his good life brought him. He will be greatly missed and his memory cherished forever. An open house was held to honor Gary at his home in Tucson on April 29, 2016. In addition, a Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held in his memory on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 4:00 pm at 9224 Ridgetop Blvd, Silverdale, WA 98383 (Re/Max Platinum Services building). Please call the family for details. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the National COPD Foundation at www.COPDfoundation.org.