Herbert Lush

Long-time Anchorage resident Herbert Lush passed away on Monday, November 7, 2011, in Anchorage at the age of 87. Herb was born on March 14, 1924 in Pembroke, Maine. The son of a Methodist pastor, Herb graduated from Caribou High School in 1942, and attended Gorham State Teacher's College and the University of Maine where he received B.S. and Master's Degrees in Education. In college, as 'Big Man on Campus' and captain of the basketball team, he met Louise Hutchins, an art major who also went on to a career in teaching. They married in 1950 and taught school in Maine, New York, California, and Arizona before reaching Alaska in 1967. They planned to stay a year but never left. They taught one year in Thorne Bay (Prince of Wales Island, Southeast Alaska), and the remainder on Elmendorf Air Force Base before retiring from the Anchorage School District in 1979.

During their summers and after retirement, Herb and Louise operated commercial fishing set-net sites in Cook Inlet, the last site located at Clam Gulch. Post-retirement, they won a trip to London and extended the trip to tour Europe. Herb's sense of adventure kept them busy afterwards traveling with the Chugach Gem & Mineral Society, collecting rocks and gemstones from Spain and Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and South America. They spent 6 weeks in China at Wuhan University learning Chinese and studying Chinese culture.

Herb was a member of First United Methodist Church of Anchorage, where he recently designed and installed the stained glass windows at the church's front door. He was a member of the Alaska Retired Teacher's Association, Chugach Gem and Mineral Society, Prospector's Society, Pioneers of Alaska, and the Anchorage Senior Center.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Louise; his son and daughter-in-law the Reverend Daniel and Margaret Lush, Willow, AK; daughters and sons-in-law Nancy and Bruce Steely. Eagle River, AK; May and Michael Simonds, Westlake Village, CA; and Becky and Gary Hunt, Hermiston, OR; fourteen grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; a brother, Elmo Lush, Fairfax Station, VA; and sister Thelma Thibodeau, West Hurley, NY.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Alaska Regional Hospital, Anchorage, as well as Prestige Care & Rehab Center.

A celebration of Herb's life will be held this Friday, November 11 at 4:00 p.m. at Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel located at 737 E Street. A reception will follow at the First United Methodist Church, 725 W. 9th Avenue, Anchorage, AK.

Arrangements are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel;

www.janssenfuneralhomes.com.