Obituary
Babitzke, Herbert R. is a descendant of Germans from
Russia, and has been an active member of the Arizona Suns Chaper of the
American Historical Society of Germans From Russia. He was born in Eureka, South Dakota to Henry and Rosiana Babitzke on May 7, 1930. He was reared on a farm East of Ashley, North Dakota where he attended grade school; he graduated from Ashley High School in 1948. On March 2, 1949, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and served for six years. His service took him to various locations including the Philippines and Alaska. His rank was Hospital Corpsman, First Class when discharged in 1955. While in Juneau, Alaska, he met and married Esther Mae George. After
discharge, he
attended Oregon State University; in 1959 he graduated with a BS degree
in General Science. As a student, Herb started working for the Bureau
of Mines in 1958. While working for the Bureau of Mines as a Research
Chemist, his tour of duty took him to Albany, OR, Washington D.C.,
August, ME and Spokane, WA. Upon retirement in 1985, he and Esther
moved to Olympia, WA where they lived for 13 years. In 1998, they moved
to Mesa, AZ. Herb was active in Toastmasters, Elks, Woodworkers,
Computer Club and the Rovers Club and was a member of the Victory
Lutheran Church in Mesa. He is predeceased by his parents, Henry and
Rosiana; his brothers: Arthur, Edwin, Albert, and Harold; and sister,
Emma. Herb is survived by his wife, Esther; daughter, Tracy of Monmouth
OR; and brother, Walter of Burnsville, MN. Family requests that friends
make a charitable donation rather than flowers. Memorial Services will
be held Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 2:00pm at Victory Lutheran Church
(University & Recker), Mesa, AZ.Back to Russian
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