Gary Arnold Hamacher, Our dad passed away peacefully in his home in Palmer, Alaska at 75 years of age on December 26, 2012 surrounded by family and friends.
A gathering in his honor will be held at his home in Palmer, Alaska later this spring. A public notice will be published when a date is determined.
Our dad was born October 11, 1937 in Monticello Village, MN. He moved to Anchorage, Alaska with his family in 1949 from Becker, MN. He and our mother, Joan, moved from Anchorage to the Stephan family farm in Palmer, Alaska in 1999 where he resided until his passing.
Our dad began his long career in construction in Alaska alongside his father Carl Hamacher and Uncle Louis Hamacher, constructing many notable structures in Anchorage. He later focused on building custom homes and custom furniture. He was very proud of the work he did repairing Anchorage homes, schools and other public buildings immediately following the 1964 earthquake.
In his spare time, dad was a sculptor, painter, and master wood worker. His works have graced the Anchorage Museum and are maintained in many fine art collections.
Our dad was a true Alaskan. He loved camping, boating, and hunting; however, he was shamelessly devoted to fishing and had many grand adventures with friends and family over the years. He was not shy when it came to sharing secret techniques or spots, (as long as you brought your own tackle). Two of his favorite pass-times were gardening and carefully scrutinizing the Stokes Seeds Gardening Guide.
He loved, and was loved by, those who knew him as Father figure and mentor.
He enlisted in the Army at Fort Ord, CA. and served with the 813th Engineer Battalion Fort Richardson in Alaska from 1958 to 1964, completing his service with the Army Reserve.
He was preceded in death by his wife Joan Elizabeth Hamacher, Nee Stephan; their infant son Steven, and his parents Carl and Letty Hamacher.
He is survived by his daughter, Leslie Hamacher and her sons Dylan and Devon Yunker, all of Seattle, Washington; his son Daniel Hamacher, Daniel's wife Alison and their daughter Lilyanne and son Sebastian, all of Palmer, Alaska; Kathleen Tibbles of Spokane Washington, and Janet Core of Grass Valley, CA; brothers-in-law Duane Tibbles and Richard Core.
Arrangements were cared for by the Valley Funeral Home and Crematory. Please visit Gary's obituary and online guestbook at www.AlaskanFuneral.com
Published in adn.com from January 6 to January 7, 2013
