Russell Duane Hite

(Age 92)

We lovingly celebrate the life of Russell Duane Hite. Our beloved husband, father and grandfather passed to his heavenly home on February 7, 2015. Russ was born November 27, 1922 and was raised in Post Falls, Idaho. As a child he helped around the family farm by herding cows and doing chores. He graduated from high school there in 1941. He was working at Lockheed Aircraft in California when WWII began. He helped build aircraft carriers in Portland, Oregon before entering the Army in 1944. He served in Okinawa and Seoul, Korea. After being discharged in 1946 he enrolled at North Idaho Junior College and two great things happened to him. He met his future wife, Betty Lou Trolin, whom he married in 1947, and he learned to fly an airplane! Last June Russ and Betty celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. He was a career postal employee, retiring in 1978 as a Customer Service Representative. When their sons were young they all enjoyed camping, later Russ and Betty spent winters in Arizona and enjoyed playing golf. In 1989, Russ joined the Spokane Police Department Senior Volunteer Program and retired in 2011. Recently, he was privileged to travel with his son, Jeff, on an Honor Flight to Washington D. C. Russ is survived by his wife Betty, sons David and Jeff (Lauri), grandson Derek (Magdalena), and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on February 21, 2015, 1:00 p.m., at Spokane Valley Baptist Church, 1222 S. McDonald Rd, Spokane Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any contributions to honor Russ be sent to Inland Northwest Honor Flight at 608 W. 2nd, Ste 309, Spokane, WA 99201-4430.