Harold Henry "Hal" Gewecke
October 23, 1923 — August 25, 2016
Harold Henry “Hal” Gewecke was the only child of Henry & Lucille (Tinkham) Gewecke, born October 23, 1923, in Lincoln, Nebraska. During the early years of the depression he spent time with relatives and lived on their various farms while his father worked for the Union Pacific RR. The family settled in Evanston, WY in 1936. After high school, Hal worked for a short time as a Machinist Apprentice for the Union Pacific Railroad before accepting a job at Douglas Aircraft in El Segundo, CA. His parents soon followed him to Southern California. In 1942, at age 19, he joined the Navy and served 3 yrs., 3mos. He attended John Muir Junior College, where he met Barbara Louise Brown. They wed in December, 1948, and were married 29 years. Hal subsequently earned a BA degree in Education at USC and a Masters Degree from Cal State, LA. In 1952 they bought a new home on Greenwood Ave. in San Gabriel, where their children were raised. The family enjoyed annual month-long camping trips throughout the United States, as well as skiing and back-packing together, and spending time at the beach.
Hal was a well respected educator for the Garvey School District, where he taught elementary school for 9 yrs, and served as an elementary school principal for 21 years in South San Gabriel. He took early retirement in 1983, and spent most of the last 33 years enjoying the outdoors - traveling around the United States hunting, fishing, camping, golfing and visiting family.
Hal is survived by four of his five children: Pamela Gosselin and her husband, Paul; Karen King and her husband, Jerry; Janet Downer; and Richard (Rick) Gewecke; grandchildren: Jack, Kou & Jackie Gosselin, Jackie’s boyfriend, German; Sean-Casey (Amy) King, Shannon (Chad) Knipfer & Erin (Grant) Ambroz; Ryan, Rachel & Russell Downer, and great-grandchildren, Katie & Jackson Knipfer and Lydia King. He is also remembered fondly by extended family members including his second cousin, Scott Walter and the family of his cousin, Roger Gewecke, many members of his former wife’s family, the Browns, as well as special neighbors the Aguayo family, and wonderful care-giver of many years, Teri Garza.
Hal was preceded in death by his son, Michael Henry in 1958, and his parents, Henry J. and Lucille (Tinkham) Gewecke, in 1982.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Ducks Unlimited, a wetlands and waterfowl conservation organization. http://www.ducks.org/how-to-help/make-a-gift-to-du
Hal was a well respected educator for the Garvey School District, where he taught elementary school for 9 yrs, and served as an elementary school principal for 21 years in South San Gabriel. He took early retirement in 1983, and spent most of the last 33 years enjoying the outdoors - traveling around the United States hunting, fishing, camping, golfing and visiting family.
Hal is survived by four of his five children: Pamela Gosselin and her husband, Paul; Karen King and her husband, Jerry; Janet Downer; and Richard (Rick) Gewecke; grandchildren: Jack, Kou & Jackie Gosselin, Jackie’s boyfriend, German; Sean-Casey (Amy) King, Shannon (Chad) Knipfer & Erin (Grant) Ambroz; Ryan, Rachel & Russell Downer, and great-grandchildren, Katie & Jackson Knipfer and Lydia King. He is also remembered fondly by extended family members including his second cousin, Scott Walter and the family of his cousin, Roger Gewecke, many members of his former wife’s family, the Browns, as well as special neighbors the Aguayo family, and wonderful care-giver of many years, Teri Garza.
Hal was preceded in death by his son, Michael Henry in 1958, and his parents, Henry J. and Lucille (Tinkham) Gewecke, in 1982.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Ducks Unlimited, a wetlands and waterfowl conservation organization. http://www.ducks.org/how-to-help/make-a-gift-to-du
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