Name: Harold A. Estep
Email address: haestep@yahoo.com
Spouses name: I'm divorced
Years married:
Number of Children: 3
Number of Grandchildren: 6
Education: 16+
Career/Work Info: retired
Company or Business name: Boeing
Notable Achievements:
Your status now: I'm undergoing chemotheropy for small cell lung cancer and doing fairly well.
Future plans: Get well and get on with life.
Todays date: June 23, 2010
Comments or information:

Obituary published in the Kitsap Sun on Feb. 21, 2011:

Harold Arthur "Hal" Estep

(June 7, 1942 - February 17, 2011)

Harold Arthur Estep born in Bremerton, WA on June 7, 1942, was the second of five children born to Arthur and Ruth Estep. Harold passed away on February 17, 2011 in Gig Harbor, WA at the age of 68, following a courageous battle with cancer. Harold attended South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard. But rather than sticking around to graduate, he and his best friend Larry Reynolds decided to join the Marine Corps in August of 1959. As a consequence, Harold was in the first wave of US Marines hitting the beach during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. In the Marine Corps, Harold was trained in aviation electronics. There he repaired wiring on aircraft, repaired instruments and navigation systems, and performed other trouble-shooting functions. He completed his service at the rank of Corporal (E-4). It was the Marines who named him "Hal." While in the Marines, Hal married Patricia Nicholson. Together they had daughters Debra and Rhonda. They were later divorced.

In 1963, following his Marine Corps service, Hal went to work for the Boeing Company in Renton, WA. There he was an electronics technician on the Boeing 707 and 727. Hal would later work on the first Boeing 747 at the Boeing Everett plant, when he returned to the company some time later. Hal married Cheryl Cooper and they had daughter Danielle. They later divorced. Always seeking a challenge, and loving to travel, Hal worked for United Control Corporation (now part of Sundstrand), Boren Radio Co., Lear Siegler Inc. (in the USA, Japan and the Philippines), and Qualitron Aero Inc. (in Germany).

Returning to Washington in 1973, Hal enrolled in college to become a vocational teacher, first being enrolled at Olympic College in Bremerton, and then transferring to Central Washington State College in Ellensburg, WA. He received his BA in Education in 1976 and became a certified teacher. He taught high school at Cle Elum, Roslyn School District, for one year, including math and industrial arts classes in the areas of electronics, wood working, welding, sheet metal and machine shop. With his skills and education, Hal then accepted a position as Advisor/Teacher with Iran Aircraft Industries, working for the Iranian government, in Tehran, in 1977. This was when the Shah was still in power. The Shaw was his employer. In late 1978 and early 1979, the Iranian Revolution was taking place and the government was being taken over by the Ayatollah Khomeini. U.S. contractors tried to leave Iran on the few flights that made it out. Hal was able to get his wife Cheryl and daughter Danielle out of the country but it was some time later before he was able to escape with only what he could carry as he ran to a plane bound for Kuwait.

Upon returning to Washington, Hal rejoined the Boeing Company where he remained until his retirement in 2001. He married again and adopted his son Marc, later divorcing. In his free time, Hal devoted countless hours to the VFW, Eagles, and other organizations. He is a former Commander of VFW Post 2224 in Puyallup, former Worthy President of the Eagles 2308 in Puyallup, and a member of the Amateur Beer and Wine Makers. He also loved to cook and cooked extensively for charities, the VFW, and Eagles, developing many of his own recipes. He was especially known for his pumpkin pies. Hal also loved to camp, go fishing and sailboat cruising. He loved working with his hands in tile and marble and made and repaired fishing poles.

Harold is survived by children Debra Estep of Georgia, Rhonda Underwood of Georgia and Danielle Estep of Federal Way, and Marc Estep of California; brothers Darrell Estep of Port Orchard, Virgil Estep of Puyallup and Paul Estep of Port Orchard; sister Lillian R. Schauer of Port Orchard; grandchildren Nicholas, Jonathon, Mariah and Jared.

A memorial service will held at the Puyallup VFW Post 2224, 120 2nd St NE, Puyallup, WA 98371, on Saturday, February 26, 2011, at 1 p.m.