Harry George Bebow
1917-2011
Harry Bebow, a well known and much loved island resident passed gently from this life to the next on Saturday, June 25th, at Virginia Mason Hospital with family near after extended illness.
Harry was born in a farmhouse in the township of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin during a fierce snowstorm. He and his identical twin brother Milton were born very prematurely. The attending country doctor advised his parents not to become attached to them as they were unlikely to survive. Nevertheless, their parents determined that their sons would live, nurturing them with intense devotion.
Harry and his two brothers enjoyed an energetic childhood on the dairy farm, where they were surrounded by animals, wonderful gardens and many members of their extended German American Family. The boys loved rocketing about in Ford Model T’s and motorcycles. Harry almost drowned when he jumped enthusiastically into a swimming hole, then remembered that he couldn’t swim.
After High School Graduation, he attended two years of teachers college, but his interest in flying prompted him to enlist in the Army Air Corps in 1937. He was assigned to the Air Force Training Command during World War II and was stationed in Texas, Arizona, and Florida. Once, he flew on a secret mission to Casablanca, Morocco, although he never knew the secret. As a flight officer he served as a co-pilot and helped train other officers, once flying a training aircraft on an exciting tour of the Grand Canyon, skipping the formality of official approval. On an assignment to Seattle, he met his beloved wife, Irene, at a USO dance. They married in 1944. Harry left the Airforce in 1945, and the couple returned to Fond du Lac, where their two children, Jerry and Nancy were born.
In 1956 Harry was offered a position as a quality control inspector with Boeing, so the family moved to Seattle. Harry missed country life, searching many areas of rural King County for a suitable home to buy. Finally a co-worker suggested he explore Vashon Island. After consulting a map to discover where Vashon actually was, he ventured out one weekend and never wished to live anywhere else. He and Irene purchased the family home on SW 107th where he lived until the age of 91, when increasing health problems prompted a move to Vashon Community Care Center.
After a Boeing layoff in the 1970’s, Harry found a position as a custodian for the Vashon School District. He greatly enjoyed working among the children and teachers. Many of the children, now grown with families, remember him fondly. After his retirement in 1983, Harry devoted himself to gardening, carpentry projects, woodcarving, yard sale expeditions, and his many animal companions, especially cats, rabbits and ducks. He cared devotedly for his wife through her illnesses. Irene died peacefully in 2003.
Harry loved people, parties and especially Vashon Coffee Roasterie where he gathered with his many friends daily for several years. He was also an enthusiastic volunteer at Granny’s Attic for fifteen years. Harry’s two brothers preceded him in death. He is survived by his son Jerry of Vashon and his daughter Nancy of Bainbridge Island.
The family wishes to thank the loving caregivers and support staff at Vashon Community Care, Dr. Gary Koch who watched over him so well, and the nurses and physicians at Virginia Mason Hospital. A memorial service will be held at Vashon Presbyterian Church Saturday July 30th at 4pm with a potluck reception following in the church fellowship hall. There will be a fantastic potluck party at the Vashon Coffee Roasterie on Friday, Aug. 5th at 6pm. Harry would love it if everyone could come.
Please remember Harry with a donation to his favorite organizations, Vashon Island Pet Protectors, Vashon Community Care or Vashon Presbyterian Church.
Loving husband and father, caring friend and neighbor, curious, energetic and enthusiastic soul, appreciation of humor, follower of Jesus and adopter of stray
cats, we will love and remember you as long as we live.
Paid Obituary.
