Glenn Schirmann

Glenn Schirmann

Glenn was born in Startup, Washington on August 13, 1928 to Minnie and Gustov Schirmann. His mother planned to give Glenn up for adoption; he was a child of the Depression and his father had died soon after he was born. His mother had five other children, and was worried about being able to take care of them all, but his oldest brother who took a liking to him, said “We’ll all starve together,” and so they kept him.

Glenn grew up leaning to fish, hunt, and fall timber from his older brothers. He graduated from Sulton High School and Everett Junior College. He played football at both and won an athletic scholarship to University of Washington in Seattle. Times being what they were, the scholarship didn’t pay enough for Glenn to stay in school, and he began what was to be his life’s work: falling trees and logging.

Glenn married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Martin, in 1949 and that same year he came down to Orick, California to work falling redwoods with his brothers. Joyce came down to visit and ended up staying. The families they met in Orick became their life long friends. Three kids and three major floods moved them to Mckinleyville in 1966. The move brought Joyce and Glenn closer to the high school and all their kids’ social and sporting events. Joyce describes these as some of the best years of their life; they loved going to their boys’ football and basketball games.

1966 was the same year that Glenn and Joyce started Schirmann Logging Co. Glenn was a great proponent of logging and during this time he became active in the politics of the federal take over of what became the lands of the Redwood National Park. He helped create the peanut that was driven across the country to protest the land grab. That peanut is still in Orick today.

Glenn truly loved and was committed to his work in the forest. He was a founding member and president of the Associated California Loggers, the statewide association representing independent logging companies and was a member of the Board of Directors for several years. In 1996 Glenn and his family celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Schirmann Logging Co and in 1997 Glenn was awarded the annual Lifetime Achievement Award by the Redwood Region Logging Conference.

Glenn and Joyce loved to travel. Through the ACL, they traveled to Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Australia, and Russia. They also enjoyed multiple trips to Europe and Alaska. Another favorite destination was Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where they often vacationed with their children, grandchildren, and friends.

Glenn is survived by his wife, Joyce, October 8th would have been their 60th wedding anniversary; his daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Chuck Giannini, his son Dick and his wife Jackie, and son Bill and his wife Barbara; his grandchildren Julie Giannini-Previde and husband Errol, Scott Giannini and wife Meghan Callahan, Natalie Giannini and husband Brian Solus, Kelly Schirmann, Emily Schirmann, and Jeff Schirmann. He is also survived by his great-grandsons Rocco and Dominic Previde, Charlie, Mario, and Gino Giannini, and Owen Giannini-Solus.

Glenn truly loved and fully enjoyed his life. He loved his wife and together they enjoyed gardening and traveling the world. He loved his work and was a true environmentalist in his love for nature. He loved his children and grandchildren and taught them to fish, hunt, log, and enjoy nature. His love for family and the outdoors came together in his two favorite places, his home in Willow Creek and his ranch in Vail, Oregon. His garden in Willow Creek is legendary and he hunted for many a pheasant with his sons and grandchildren at his ranch in Vail. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his dry sense of humor, and his love for life. He will live on in our memories of fishing trips, strong drinks, and one-liners. Glenn suffered from Parkinson’s disease for twenty years and even at his worst he could still crack a joke. He endured his illness with dignity and perseverance.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of Humboldt or McKinleyville High School Athletics.

A service will be held...

Care is under the direction of Pauls Chapel.