Paul Martin Engebretsen

Paul Martin Engebretsen

01/23/1950 – 03/16/2024

After braving many difficulties with cancer, Paul passed away in his home in Mount Vernon, Washington and is sorely missed. His sunny disposition and love of music were evident when you came and knocked at his door and heard him humming to jazz or blues. Paul was born in Salem, Oregon to a Navy family and grew up in Granite Falls, Washington. Paul’s love of the outdoors started there when he spent many fine hours playing in the woods beneath old-growth trees with his siblings. His red Alpha Romeo sports car and his playing basketball and golf were highlights or his high school years. After graduation he joined the Army and served in Vietnam on a rescue helicopter with the 9th Air Cavalry. Alongside his infantry duties, he was an avid photographer and returned from  Vietnam and got a bachelor’s degree in the Arts. He also attended Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. He traveled to New Zealand and swan in the Great Barrier Reed, backpacked through Europe, hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, and skied in the Cascade Mountains. In the early 90’s he moved up to Mount Vernon. He went to a renowned cabinet-making school and graduated with his “final” being a heavy, hardwood shop-worktable that was more like polished fine furniture. In retirement from woodworking, Pual was a sports enthusiast and studied pool, shooting countless games with friends in his woodshop, where his pool table was. He collected various kinds of musical instruments and jammed with other musicians. He specialized in flute. He loved children and encouraged them to play his drums even though they made a racket! Paul was loving and was loved, and he will always be in the hearts of those who knew him.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Shirley and Joel Engebretsen, older brother Joel Jr. and James Engebretsen, and older sister Karen May. He leaves behind his older sister Suzanne (and husband Ken) Popp and older brother Eugene (and wife Ilene) Engebretsen and his younger sisters Laura Engebretsen and Edie Strowbridge.

A memorial will be held at American Legion Cemetery in Granite Falls, Washington and the time and date will be announced later.

Please visit www.hawthornefh.com to share your thoughts and memories and sign the online guest register.