ALLEN BURKE HATFIELD

1924 - 2011

Allen Hatfield, 87, died peacefully on May 11, 2011 surrounded by his loving family in the comfort of the family home in Anacortes Washington.

Born in Hoquiam, Washington on January 27, 1924, ALLEN BURKE HATFIELD was given 3 last names, the first and middle being his grandmother's. His parents, Clyde and Virginia (Allen) Hatfield, lived in a logging camp, but his mother went to Hoquiam for the birth.

Allen was a popular and outstanding student at Hoquiam High School. He enjoyed playing football on a particularly good team, beating Hoquiam's rival team of Aberdeen. Prior to entering college, Allen labored in the woods as a logger, an occupation which convinced him of the importance of education. Initially he attended what was then Washington State College and pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

His college education was interrupted by World War II when he entered the U.S. Army. He became an officer and narrowly missed being a part of the Battle of the Bulge. At the conclusion of the war, he was assigned to Korea for a year as a military governor, an interesting experience which created a lifetime fondness for the Asian culture.

Allen's military experience took him to Texas where he met and married his first wife, Bobbye Lee Raley of Tyler, TX.

Upon his discharge from the army, he returned to his beloved northwest with his wife and child and entered the University of Washington. After exploring several interest areas, he wisely settled on accounting, graduating in 1949 with a BBA degree. During that time he was awarded a teaching fellowship and elected to Phi Beta Kappa and other honorary fraternities. Rather than continue on with a master's degree, he accepted a position with the accounting firm of Stratford Visse & Company in Portland, OR. His first assignment took him to their Medford, Oregon office where his career as a CPA took off. One of his first clients was Harry & David. The firm merged with Haskins & Sells which was later to become Deloitte, Haskins & Sells and then Deloitte Touche, a CPA firm of international scope. Allen was transferred to Portland where he became an audit partner in the firm. Allen handled many large clients such as Jantzen, US Bank, Tektronix, Idaho Power and many others. During that time he held numerous volunteer positions in the community such as United Way and Rotary International.

He also was active in the Oregon Society of CPA's, eventually becoming president of that organization.

Unfortunately Allen's wife passed away early on, but he carried on in his career and community obligations. One of his volunteer positions was as President of Waverly Children's Home where he met an employee, Mary Ann Wachs, whom he later married. They have enjoyed a wonderful life together blending their two families for a total of 5 children, 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

One of Allen's lifetime passions was boating. He owned a number of boats most of which were named "HATS OFF", a takeoff on Allen's nickname of "Hat".

Upon retirement from Deloitte Touche, he joined with others to buy into a yacht brokerage in Portland, a business in which both he and MaryAnn worked. Eventually it was time to leave the area and they "followed their boat" as the saying goes to the San Juan Islands and Anacortes, WA. Almost immediately Allen became immersed in the Anacortes community, serving on various civic committees, as a civil service commissioner and AARP volunteer tax preparer and continuing his commitment to Rotary as member of Anacortes Rotary and as a Paul Harris Fellow. Fidalgo Yacht Club was a focal point for the Hatfield's, with its members becoming a second family to them. This expanded their boating experience immeasurably, as well as widening their circle of friends. Allen became commodore of the club in 1995 and during his watch the club developed a plan to create their own clubhouse. Their most memorable boating experience was when Allen and MaryAnn cruised on their HATS OFF to Alaska, a feat which many boaters do, but, because they were novices and went alone, it was for them quite an adventure.

Allen is survived by his wife, MaryAnn and daughter Kathryn Bennett (wife of Rick), Anacortes, son Gary Hatfield (husband of Sherrie), Bellingham, step-sons Andrew Wachs (husband of Colleen) and David Wachs (husband of Lisa), both of Bend, OR and step-daughter Susan Howard, Tucson, AZ. Grandchildren are Lisa Bennett Knowles, Shani Hatfield Anderson, Stefani Bennett Gibson, Brook Ann Hatfield, Grant Howard, Macks Howard, Lucas Wachs, and Kirby Wachs. Great-grandchildren are Alischa Hatfield Anderson, Katie Knowles, Bennett, Maguire and Coleman Gibson. Also surviving are brother and sister-in-law Jerry & Jean Reynolds of Terre Haute, Indiana and two sisters Linda Packham (Mrs. John) of Camarillo, CA. and Sandra (Mrs. Mike) Kaiser as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful for the skilled and supportive care provided to Allen by Skagit Adult Day Care, Homeplace, the staff of Home Instead and Hospice of the Northwest.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or Hospice of the Northwest Foundation, P.O Box 1376, Mount Vernon WA 98273.

A special gathering to remember Allen will be held at 2:00 pm on May 21, 2011 at the Skyline Beach Club, 6041 Sands Way Anacortes, WA 98221.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Allen, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.