Herman Eugene "Hank" Bott

Born September 25, 1931 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Was married to Jan, his best friend and soul mate for 58 years. He had 3 children, Gregory “Paul,” Jana Jean and Jason Lee. Hank had 4 grandchildren, Eli Paul Stetson, Victoria Joy, Elizabeth Leigh and Nathan Jason Bott. His sister Joan lives in Pittsburg with 2 daughters, Cindy and Helen.

Hank was a Veteran of the Air Force (1951 – 1955). During that time, he met his wife Jan in Spokane Washington, and later moved to San Francisco and worked as a Mechanic for United Air Lines and was the President of the “Mainliner Club”. He and his family lived in the Bay Area and Sunnyvale until 1967 when they moved to El Dorado and Hank accepted a position with the El Dorado Union High School District as the district Transportation Manager, and later worked with The Mother Lode Union School District in the same capacity and later worked for the El Dorado County Office of Education where he worked in their Special Education Department, driving children to school, a job he especially loved.

Hank was a Boy Scout Leader for 30 years and received the “Scouter Key”. He was a 4-H leader, a little league coach for 25 years and was District 54 representative for 11 years. Hank loved baseball and traveled to Arizona to watch “Spring Training” with his sons and Jason’s family. He attended the very last San Francisco Giants – Oakland “A’s” game in Candlestick Park and Jason took him to one of the Giants – Padres game this year in San Francisco’s new stadium. He also started the “Youth Basketball” at Herbert Green School and he and his wife Jan were in charge of the Ponderosa Football Snack Bar and the Basketball Concessions for many years, earning them the title of “Honorary Bruins” Together, they owned and operated “Jan’s Frosty” in El Dorado.

He also loved trout fishing and spent time fishing along the Truckee River and at Caples Lake. His last fishing trip with Greg was to Caples Lake where he was the only one to catch a trout, except for a giant Bald Eagle that swooped down about 12 feet from the boat (Hank’s CD handle was Bald Eagle). He also loved taking his family camping along the Truckee River.

Hank was a member of the First Baptist Church of Placerville for 22 years followed by membership in the Green Valley Community Church. He belonged to the Mother Lode Lions for many years and received the Melvin Jones Award.

He loved going to San Diego to visit his grandchildren and watching them play baseball, and soccer and tennis. He loved his family and was a devoted father.

Hank was a man who gave, and gave of himself and helped people when ever he could. He lived an exemplary life and by his example, had a positive effect on many, many people, especially kids.

Hank sadly leaves behind his best friend and wife, Jan; his sons, Greg and Jason; his daughter, Jana Stetson; his daughter in law, Paula; his grandchildren, Eli Stetson, Victoria, Elizabeth and Nathan Bott; his sister Joan and her children Cindy and Helen; his sister and brother in law, Carol and Gary Kenworthy, and their children; his beloved dog, “Cha Cha”; and hundreds of friends who loved him.

The family has planned a viewing for Thursday, December 15th, at The Chapel of the Pines, 2855 Cold Springs Road, in Placerville, from at 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., with a Memorial Service planned for 1:00 p.m., December 29th, at Green Valley Community Church, 3500 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. In lieu of flowers, there has been a memorial fund set up at the El Dorado Savings Bank, PO Box 901, Diamond Springs, CA 95619. Please make checks payable to the “Hank Bott Memorial Fund.” Thank you.