Obituary: Ostenson

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Alan Thornton Ostenson

Brinnon, Washington

June 24, 1941 – Sept. 29, 2014

Alan Thornton Ostenson, 73, passed away peacefully in his home in Brinnon, Washington on Sept. 29, 2014. He was born June 24, 1941 to Burton and Betty (Winchester) Ostenson in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He moved to Parkland, Washington in 1947, where his father taught biology at Pacific Lutheran College. Alan graduated from Franklin Pierce High School in 1959. He served in Vietnam for two years with the US Navy, then became a teacher like his father, graduating from PLU with degrees in Earth Science and Education. Alan devoted most of his life to working with students on Indian Reservations in Alaska and Washington. He spent his last five years living on Hood Canal, a place dear to his heart since his Boy Scout days. He was an active and beloved member of the Brinnon community. He served as co-commissioner of Parks and Recreation, helped start a weekly meal at the senior center, and founded a community music group. Alan loved reading books, building boats, and cooking seafood for others, especially clam chowder. He will be remembered by family and friends for his quiet generosity, his willingness to solve problems, and his ability to fix anything with the tools he carried in the back of his car.

A service is planned for 1 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Brinnon Community Center, to be followed by a potluck lunch. Memorial gifts can be made in Alan's name to the Brinnon Community Center.