Our beloved father and husband, Russ Hewitt, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 16, 2012. He was 98 and lived a long and happy life. Born in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, on July 14, 1914, Russ moved to the U.S. with his family when he was three years old. He'd smile when he reminisced about his childhood on Meydenbauer Bay in Bellevue. An avid swimmer, diver, sailor, tennis player, and golfer, he was also captain and quarterback of his Bellevue High School football team (as well as student body president). Proudly, he graduated from the University of Washington in 1938 with a degree in business administration. While at the UW, he belonged to the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and was quarterback of the Huskies Freshman football team. After graduation, Russ moved to Alaska and worked as an accountant. When WWII broke out, Russ joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a paratrooper and officer. He fought in the war-changing, horrific battles on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Wounded on Iwo Jima, he returned to a Navy hospital in Seattle where his severe leg wounds healed for over a year. There he met Margaret Dean Lamping, a young war widow, and they were married in 1946-they began a long, loving, and adventure-filled life together. As a father, Russ topped the charts and never let his children down. Family always came first for him. His favorite saying: "Life is good." In addition to his passion for golf and swimming, Russ was known for his kindness, strength of character, and quiet humility, and will never be forgotten. Russ is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Sally, son Jim Lamping (Martha), six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. His son Jeff (Carolyn) died of cancer at age 39. A memorial service and reception for Russ Hewitt will take place on Friday, December 28th, 3:30 p.m. at Skyline Presbyterian Church, 6301 Westgate Boulevard, Tacoma, WA. For more information, please call (253) 752-5757.Sunset Hills Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
January 12, 2013
Nancy Grayum
It was a privilege to sit with Russ and family for more than one holiday dinner a few years back, and especially at the dinner honoring his daughter Sally's contributions to our community. Sally's achievements speak volumes about the man who was her father. He was a very sweet and dignified man. Peace at Heart.
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