Chuck Hanke Obituary

Chuck HANKE Charles Josef Hanke passed away on March 6, 2011. Born a Tlingit/German/Irishman in Bellingham, WA on November 19, 1939 to Fred and Sophie Hanke, Chuck developed a love of nature and cars at a young age. As a pre-teen, he trekked off alone along the coastline below Chuckanut Drive to spend his weekends camping and fishing. At 12, Chuck owned his first car; the first of well over 1000 that he owned in his lifetime. His destiny as a Longshoreman was determined early when, at age 9, he gave himself a tattoo: an anchor on his forearm which was enormous on his child-sized body but tiny on his 6'6' adult frame. Chuck lived a unique life, especially as a parent. In 1969, he married Valerie Curran and lovingly acquired her 3 children Erin, Tasha and Gregg. Together they had Garth. After his 1st marriage ended in divorce, Chuck married ReeAnne Halonen in 1985 and from her gained yet 3 more children: Vince, Mance and Angela. Together, they created a welcoming, fun home (warmly known as 73rd & Chaos) which was a safehaven for many, full of good music (especially Blues), good food and humor. Chuck regaled us with hilarious stories of his adventurous life, especially working on the waterfront; bringing all who were interested down to the piers to enjoy the view as he tied up freighters. Chuck approached life with a creative eye and the motto 'Normal? Any jerk can be normal!' He generously shared his love and exceptional sense of humor, once joking at work 'I left a legacy that will last a lunchtime.' Predeceased by his parents, wife ReeAnne, brother Fred Hanke, and granddaughters Vanessa Downing and Samantha Sterkel-Webb. Survived by his 7 kids and their children, his sisters Millie, Karla and Rose and a brother Jack, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A celebratory memorial will be held on April 10 at 1:00pm at Daybreak Star: 3801 West Government Way, Seattle 98199. Special thanks to the ILWU Local 19 and to the excellent staff at Foss Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times from Apr. 2 to Apr. 3, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Chuck Hanke

13 Entries

Susan Mullen

April 11, 2011

Thank you, Chuck and ReeAnne, for providing such a loving, welcoming home. I will miss you both and I know you are together again, the Raven and the Eagle.

jesse toro

April 9, 2011

as a former linehandler with chuck after we would tie a ship up and then take the circle drive up spokane street onto hwy 99 we would race our cars up the viaduct until the tunnel. We always figured that was far enough and he beat me most time unless i was on my harley. i will miss a good friend and worker. jesse james toro sr.

Kristina Hanke

April 7, 2011

My dear Uncle Chuck :"(, what a strong brave hearted man you were. I think of you and I see a very tall always upright man, good with his hands, a Longshoreman, an old motorcycle rider and hot rod builder with a salt and pepper beard and ponytail. I can hear your voice in my head, deep and gruff but always gentle and kind and his soft cyrtal eyes, a true Hanke, Alaskan Native, Tlingit to the core. If I could see you one last time, I would hug you tight and tell you to never let go and to hug and kiss my grandpa Fred for me when you get to heaven and let him know I love him. I love you Uncle Chuck and I know Brian and I will truly miss you forever and for always!

Viva Bader-Baker

April 6, 2011

Sorry for your loss hope he went in peace. RIP Chuck
Much love

John Garcia

April 5, 2011

Gunalchéesh áyá yáa yee tula.aaní ax xooni yeil. Jinkwát sheeltín, tsu yéi ikkwasatéen.
(Thank you for your friendship my Raven friend. Take care, I will see you again.)

Sue Hoidal

April 5, 2011

Hey Uncle Chuck,
I will always remember growing up on Key St. and you swooping in on us with your big smile, and off-beat "Hanke" sense of humor. You were, and always will be, my favorite Uncle. My only regret is that we didn't get together more often over the years...but know that you will always live in my memory and in my heart.
Love you...Susan

Jennifer Faber

April 3, 2011

We did not know Chuck that well, but from our short time in Seattle we enjoyed his humor and hospitality. ReeAnne and Chuck's house was a warm, comfortable place because of their kind, loving spirits. We will miss them.
Our best wishes to the family,
Jennifer & Grant Faber

April 3, 2011

Ahhh! No! I cannot believe that the next time I come "home" to Seattle I will not see you drinking coffee ,sitting comfortably in your Giant Chuck chair quietly enjoying NASCAR. Not as the Seattle world should be for me, but life is the life and goodbye is a word our family has had to use all too often this year. My Seattle "home" is also the love that Chuck left all of us through his kids and cats. I remember the first time I met Chuck, viewing him primarily through the eyes and smiles of sister ReeAnne. 'Thank you", I said to him in one of our quiet early morning alone moments, "for making my sister so happy!" "She", he said, "makes me so happy". Perfect I thought. What has become a greater truth for me this last year, is how much I love Chuck for himself. Even as we mourned ReeAnne, he brought ALL of us into his loving, tearful, joyful and goofy world. You are a profound thinker Chuck and taught me to understand that people die twice. Once when the heart, brain, lungs and body we know cease to be. The second time, when the the last person who remembers you dies. You and Ree will a part of the stories, and legacy, photo albums, and past we share with all those we love for generations. We need you in our lives and our sharing of you you will continue on and on and on and on.......I Love you Chuck.

Simone Brennan

April 2, 2011

Thank you Chuck...for loving Ree Anne, for being a great father and grandfather, a hard worker, a funny, funny man, for making Sammy and Critter laugh, for the fun we had seeing where you worked (I think that day was just you and me) and later, watching chain reaction and judge judy during Ree's last days. Thanks for being yet another amazing role model of what a father looks like - complex, imperfect, insightful, and always loving. Thanks for being a terrific Uncle. I love you and miss you.

Emily Norton

April 2, 2011

Chuck taught me how amazing everything tasted when you added pepper - okay maybe not icecream.... Some of my first memories were of him caring for his aches and pains, from all those years of being a longshoreman in part, by rubbing WD40 into his joints. Though a quiet man, his presence filled the room with humor, gentleness and love for all his family. I have a picture flash frozen in my mind of my daughter Liz when she was about 2 or 3 just standing in the kitchen looking up at him while he looked down upon her and the two of them smiling. Chuck was a great man who embodied the phrase gentle giant. I miss uncle Chuck and aunt Ree Anne, and will forever treasure the days I spent living with them or near them.

Monica McPherson

April 2, 2011

Chuck, I love ya and will miss you , You were a great joy to know, you always greeted me with a smile.. as you did so many. When people think of perfect pairs you and Ree will be at the top of the list. Thank you for everything , Heaven will be a little brighter now that you & Ree are together once more,, Love you , Monica

Monica Mcpherson

April 2, 2011

Chuck, Love & miss you..

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results