Gilbert Herman Dammann

Gilbert Dammann, 95, passed away peacefully in Everett, WA on Feb 3 just 8 wks after Madge, the only love of his life and wife of 54 yrs. He was born Mar 19, 1922 to Heinrich Herman and Bertha Maria Dammann in the family farmhouse in Plato, MN on land settled in 1886. Gil grew up learning farming, hunting, was fluent in both English and German and a devout Lutheran. He worked farm chores from an early age and learned a sense of discipline that guided him throughout his life. His mother Bertha died in 1942. His father later married Luverne Friedel, with whom Gil became very close.

Gil enrolled at the Univ of MN. His studies were interrupted when he entered the Navy Electronics School and subsequently the US Navy Submarine Corps in 1944. It was here that he learned the electronic skills he utilized throughout his career. After WWII discharge he completed his Aeronautical Engr degree and earned a Mech Engr Degree from Univ of MN.

After graduation in 1948, Gil worked for 2 yrs for EBASCO Power Co. in Brazil where he learned Portuguese, improved his Spanish and made many lifelong friends. He travelled throughout South America on his trip home in 1950. Gil loved snow skiing and skied all over the world. He travelled to the 1952 Oslo winter Olympics then skied his way through Europe with friends. He also enjoyed Harley Davidson motorcycles. His cousin Bob Hofmeister sold him his first in the early 40’s. He went on to own 7 different models.

In June 1954, Gil accepted an engineering job with Boeing in Seattle. He loved to meet new people, see new sights, and experience new cultures so he took a leave of absence from Boeing in 1959 to visit friends and family during a trip around the globe. Among many stops were Angkor Wat, Cambodia; Saigon to visit his cousin Ruth; Tehran, Iran; Germany to pick up a new Mercedes 220, and a week in the CCCP with a rather intense train ride out of the country.

It was at Boeing he met a secretary, Madge Anderson and later her four children, Leslie, Dennis, Peggy, and Betty. Gil would bring all the kids along on skiing and boating “family outings” with Madge. He liked the instant family. They were married among many family and friends in Madge’s Lutheran Church in Sept 1963. In Feb 1964 the family moved to Huntsville, AL where Gil worked on the Saturn V Booster and Lunar Rover Programs. Daughter Shirlee Marie was born in Mar 1965. The family returned to Seattle in 1967 where Gil worked in a variety of Defense Programs as an Engineer and as a Manager until retiring from Boeing in 1986 after 31 yrs.

Gil and Madge purchased property on Puget Sound and enjoyed taking family and friends to the “cabin” for the weekend. They also traveled over the years to Alaska, Europe, Asia and throughout the U.S. They often traveled light, with just a backpack. They enjoyed hiking in the Cascades, boating on Puget Sound and taking their motorhome to fish across WA with friends. They participated in a bridge club that lasted over 40 years. He also enjoyed carpentry in his woodshop, working outside in the yard with his fruit trees, gardening, and especially using his home made flame-throwing weed killing device.

Throughout his life Gil enjoyed listening to classical music and reading the paper. He was very active in the Lutheran Church and was generous in donating time and money to meet many different needs right up to his death.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Lester Dammann, sister, Marie Dammann and grandson, James Anderson. He is survived by children, Shirlee (Winston) Lessley of Lynnwood, WA, Betty Meilander of Ellensburg, WA, Peggy Miller of Hailey, ID, Dennis (Judy) Anderson of Puyallup, WA, and Leslie (Sherri) Anderson of Kenmore, WA; grandchildren, Winston Lessley IV, Marie Lessley, Mandy (Mike) Anderson, Chris (Dale) Anderson, Jason Anderson, Justin Anderson, Jessica (Wade) Bradley, Jennifer (Dave) Tozer, Nicholas Meilander, Robert Johnson, Chris Johnson, and four great grandchildren, Ashtin Anderson, Marlowe Bradley, Rayna Johnson, and Lukas Johnson.

Donations in memory of Gilbert can be made to Lutheran World Relief at: lwr.org.

A celebration of his life will be held at Light of the Cross Lutheran Church in Bothell, at 10:30 am March 3, 2018. He will be interred at Floral Hills Cemetery in Lynnwood. Condolences may be offered at www.floralhillslynnwood.com.