Henry William "Bill" Haigh
June 9, 1921 - July 19, 2014
Obituary
Henry William (Bill) Haigh
June 9, 1921- July 19, 2014
Henry, known as Bill to family and friends, was born in Seattle to Margaret and Henry Haigh, but lived in St. Paul, Minnesota for a number of his early school years. In 1937, he returned to Seattle with his mother and stepfather, Ben Veltman. They settled in Seward Park and he graduated from Franklin High School in 1939. His college education as an Army ROTC member at the University of Washington was interrupted in 1943 when he was called to serve in World War II in Europe. He returned to the university in 1946 and graduated with a degree in chemistry in 1947. Bill continued to serve his country in the Army Reserves for many years, retiring as a colonel in 1981. He worked for Martin Marietta Corporation researching and developing adhesives for wood products, and then for Weyerhaeuser as a technical information manager.
Bill met Phyllis, his wife of 56 years, the day after her high school graduation. They were married 9 years later and built the house in Normandy Park that he lived in until just before his passing. His passion for the outdoors was reflected in all he loved to do, including skiing, climbing most of the major peaks in Washington, backpacking and day hiking, camping and sailing the waters of Puget Sound in his cherished Hinckley Pilot sailboat, Sarabande. He also enjoyed gardening, photography, traveling and doing anything with his daughters and their families. He was a long-time member of the Three Tree Point Yacht Club, serving as commodore one year and participating in many races and social cruises.
Survivors include daughters Leslie Nuttman (Mark), and Sandy Haigh (Frank) and granddaughters Katy and Mattie. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis, who passed away in 2005.
Services will be held September 14, 2014 at the Normandy Park Community Club at the Cove, 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive, Normandy Park, starting at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to either of the following organizations:
- Washington’s National Park Fund, earmarked for Mt. Rainier National Park. Donate online at www.wnpf.org or mail contributions to 1904 Third Ave., Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98101
- Des Moines Legacy Foundation, earmarked for the Youth Sailing Program. Donations can be sent to PO Box 13582, Des Moines, WA 98198.
Bill was such a wonderful and caring man who would, and did, do anything for his beloved daughters Leslie and Sandy and their families. He also knew how to lay tile beautifully!
I am happy and fortunate to have known your Dad as my uncle, and to have shared with him some of those outdoor activities that he loved.
I remember, too, one long Sunday afternoon, when he gave my “English bike” a full tune-up, with great care — probably the best tune-up it ever had!
Ann C.
So sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. We enjoyed cruising with Phyllis and Bill. Also sharing years of activity on “C” dock. He will be missed.
I will always remember your father as a kind and gentle man who always had a smile on his face and a zest for life. I quietly thought of him as my “2nd Dad” when I was growing up. We spent so many nights on the patio and woke up to Silver Dollar pancakes flipped by your Dad. Getting to ski, hike and sail with him has left me with many great memories. i know he will be missed but remembered by so many whose lives he enriched.
We have fond memories of cruising with Bill and Phyllis and their beloved dog, Ginger. I remember a great two-week sailing vacation to Barkley Sound with Bill and Phyllis and four other boats from Three Tree Point Yacht Club (it was in 1984, I think). We still have a video tape of this great adventure that Bill put together for all of us.
May special memories of your dad bring comfort to you.
Bill you have left us with memories that will live on for the rest of our lives. Pat has great memories of all those TTPYC family cruises throughout the PNW waterways. For me, I was honored to sit beside you, helping document those earlier years as you and your best friends built that cabin up at Mt. Rainier. Oh the tales that came with each photograph; what happy times you shared with me. Tea and baked treats from the bakery always waiting with each visit. A gentle gentleman always. Rest well dear man. You have touched many and we have been blessed.
We always enjoyed Bill at the TTPYC events. He mentored us in how to host the Sleep and Creep and provided us with a detailed list of food and supplies necessary to carry off this very popular event. Thanks, Bill. You made us look like pros!
I had the most wonderful day with Bill when he and I sat the day at TTPYC water land festival booth in Des Moines. We spent the time just talking and I learned many things about Bill’s life and his time in the service. Things that will stick in my memory for ever.Bill boated with all of us TTPYC boaters for many years and we are all fortunate to have had these times with him. He told me one day when he was in hie early 80s that he was thinking of selling his boat. I told him to give it a lot of thought, Because he won’t go back to it if he does. He sailed on to the bitter end. GOODBY my friend. David
I had the most wonderful day with Bill when he and I sat the day at TTPYC water land festival booth in Des Moines. We spent the time just talking and I learned many things about Bill’s life and his time in the service. Things that will stick in my memory for ever.Bill boated with all of us TTPYC boaters for many years and we are all fortunate to have had these times with him. He told me one day when he was in hie early 80s that he was thinking of selling his boat. I told him to give it a lot of thought, Because he won’t go back to it if he does. He sailed on to the bitter end. GOODBY my friend. David
Bill we will always remember you for teaching us how to sail. You were a good friend to all of us learning to sail and your friendship and good will, will always be cherished. Smooth sailing my good friend!