Hendrick Laurence Husby joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 27, 2025. Born in Vancouver, WA on November 4, 1934, to parents Goldie and Hendrick Husby Sr., he grew up in Washougal, WA, on the banks of the Columbia River.

Hank was a storyteller. His humorous tales of adventures with his sisters and cousins and the small-town characters of his youth entertained his own children and everyone else who knew him. His own life was a testimony to God's grace.

The first in his family to attend college, he worked his way through Washington State College, later University, at Pullman, graduating with a BS in Agriculture. He found a job as a county agent, working with dairy farmers. The next logical step, in the young man's mind, was to get married and start a family. He got married and a few days later, received his call from Uncle Sam to join the army.

He was sent to New Jersey, and because of his agriculture degree, was assigned a job as food inspector for the army. His first two daughters were born on Long Island. Two more children were born following the family's return to Washington, four babies in four years. When his wife abandoned him, taking the children, he was devastated. But people from a nearby church befriended him. One man in particular wrestled in prayer with Hank until Hank came to the place where he told God, "I did it my way, and really messed up. From now on, I'm doing it Your way." From that day on, he did his best to live God's way.

Though it was unusual at the time, the courts awarded Hank custody of his four children. For a number of years he raised the children by himself, with the help of his mother and hired babysitters. Then he met and married Lois Becker Hawkins, and adopted her little boy. The family became part of the Church of the Nazarene, near their home in Washougal.

Hank worked for 35 years at the paper mill in Camas, WA, first as a laboratory technician and then as a fireman. He loved the work and especially the socializing during coffee breaks.

When Lois died in 1998, Hank reconnected with one of her old friends who hadn't yet heard of her passing. Letters and e-mails flew back and forth, and in June, 2000, Hank retired from the paper mill, married Joan Rawlins Biggar, and moved to the Stanwood area. He was a much-loved husband, father, and friend to Joan and her two adult children for almost 25 years.

In retirement, Hank had time for the hobbies he loved, reading and gardening. He and Joan loved traveling. They made special memories during spring break explorations with granddaughters Marva and Annie Biggar.

Hank was a member of the Warm Beach Free Methodist Church, the Farmhouse Fraternity of WSU, and the American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents and both sisters, Ava Lorraine Mills and Wallace Anne Frick, and most recently, his daughter Katherine Cahoon.

He is survived by Joan Husby, his wife, daughters Carmen Davis and Karen Husby and sons Larry Husby and Nathan Husby (Linda), son-in-law Glenn Cahoon, and stepson and daughter, Rob Biggar and Lenora Biggar Anderson (Steve). He leaves 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Burial will be at Washougal Cemetery. A memorial service for Hank will be on Thursday, March 13th, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Warm Beach Free Methodist Church, 20815 Marine Drive, Stanwood

For those who wish to honor his memory in a tangible way, two organizations close to Hank's heart were:

Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center

20800 Marine Dr., Stanwood WA 98292

or

Kako Retreat Center

Box 29

Russian Mission, AK 99657