Jeff L. Hassler

1942 - 2016

Jeff Hassler, 74, passed away on Dec. 20, 2016, in Sun City, Ariz. Jeff was born on Feb. 10, 1942, in Reading, Pa., the son of Arlone and Harrison Benjamin Hassler. He arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, with his mother in 1952, and remained there until his retirement to Sun City in December 2010. Jeff graduated from Anchorage High School in 1959, and the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., in 1964, with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. He married Betty Breiten in Tacoma and they settled in Anchorage in 1965. Upon his return to Anchorage, he worked for the National Bank of Alaska, First Federal Savings and Loan and then joined the Properties Division of the Carr-Gottstein Company which later became Carr-Gottsten Properties. He was instrumental in forming HRT Real Estate and H & R Management in the early '90s, and then temporarily relocated to Juneau, Alaska, for a position with the State of Alaska Department of Revenue. Jeff served in the Alaska Air National Guard as an aircraft loadmaster from 1967 until his discharge in 1971. He had a lifelong love affair with automobiles and was active for many years in the Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska and the Midnight Sun Street Rod Association. Jeff is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty; daughter, Stephanie Thomas and husband Kent of Anchorage; son, Jay Hassler and wife Maria of New York City; and grandchildren, Henry Thomas and Emma Thomas of Anchorage; aunt, Madelynne Rentschler of Anchorage; and cousins, Pat Jackson, Larry Rentschler and Debbie Read. Preceding him in death were his parents; and his uncle, Carl Rentschler of Anchorage. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Lidia's Care Home for the wonderful care Jeff received and for allowing his loyal companion, Kirby, to be present in his life until the end. Jeff's final resting place will be in the Columbarium Wall, Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery. A gathering for family and friends is planned for late summer in Anchorage. Memorial donations in Jeff's name may be mailed to The Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska, P.O. Box 232086, Anchorage AK 99523-2086; or Lutheran Social Services of Alaska, 1303 W 33rd Ave Ste A, Anchorage, AK 99503. Arrangements were made by Menke Funeral Home in Sun City, Ariz.