Harold O. (Bud, Harry, Papa) Ekern was born on October 31, 1926 in Pipestone, MN and died January 14, 2018 in Tacoma, WA. He suffered from dementia and died of resulting complications.
He flew with the 509th Bomb Wing during the Korean War, then worked on Boeing/AFPRO missile programs during the 1960s, retiring from the US Air Force in 1967 after 22 years of service. He continued to fly private planes for many years. He was an engineering instructor at Green River CC, retiring in 1988. He loved to travel & visit with friends & family. After retirement, Harry was a docent at the Museum of Flight, Seattle, & a Guardian ad Litem with King County Courts.
Harold was preceded in death by his father and mother, Helmer Oscar Ekern and Madga Christina Ekern, stepmother Ada May Madson Ekern, sister Laurel Ada Ekern Tschimperle and first wife, Lyn Willow Slawson Ekern. He is survived by his second wife, Joan Bancroft, his son Mark Harold Ekern, daughter Laurie Lyn Ekern Humphreys, grandchildren, Brian Humphreys (Kristy), Eric Humphreys (Lauren), David Humphreys (Kelsey), Carol Humphreys; great-grand children Oliver, Bruce, Violet, Evelyn, step-children Kathy, Bruce Davidson, Brian Davidson, Doug Davidson; step-children Kathy Keeter (Jim), Bruce Davidson, Brian Davidson (Debra), Doug Davidson (Lynn); step-grand children Rusty, Ben, Jeffrey, Sydney, Audrey; step-great grand children Austin, Kalea, AJ, Monroe.
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