Henry Walter Streich

battle with cancer.

He was born April 10, 1952, in Chewelah, Washington, to German immigrants Reinhold and Augustine Streich. His parents were born and raised in the German enclave of Volhynia, Ukraine, before being driven out of their home in 1940.

Like thousands of other ethnic Germans, they resettled into the Warthegau region of Poland until being forced westward in early 1945, ahead of retreating German forces. The family eventually settled near

Bremen, Germany, where they applied for immigration to America.

Due to a sponsorship of a maternal great-uncle, Adam Linke, the family settled in Chewelah, WA, in 1949. Hank was forever grateful to the Linke family for this act of kindness.

Hank spent many childhood hours fishing and playing sports. At Chewelah High School, he

played on the basketball and baseball teams and was voted the “Most Likely to Succeed” by

his 1970 Senior Class. He attended Eastern Washington University 1970-1974, graduating with

honors in Business Administration/Accounting. He was hired by Arthur Andersen & Co.,

where he worked in Washington DC and Cleveland before returning to the Northwest in 1976.

He was successful throughout his career, eventually being hired by Yardarm Knot as its CFO

while becoming a minor owner of the company.

Hank married the loving Catherine Linda Gale Stewart in 1977, settled in Lake Forest Park, and

had 38 wonderful years together before her untimely death in 2015 while vacationing at their

second home near Phoenix.

They enjoyed traveling, gardening, snow and water sports, golf, and spending time with their friends, children, and grandchildren.

Hank would always say his greatest investment was spending time with his family. Coaching

sports, boating on Lake Washington, and being involved in their lives brought him much joy.

Hawaii was a favorite destination which held many fond family memories for Hank and Linda.

Hank loved to golf and hosted his local and high school buddies for golfing vacations. He and

his friends would normally golf in the morning at a destination course, followed by sipping gin

and tonics while floating in the pool, then play another round in the late afternoon.

In 2016, another love entered Hank’s life as Karen Edwardsen became a wonderful companion

and traveling partner. They traveled to New Year’s bowl games with the UW Huskies, different

parts of the US, and overseas to China, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany, and most recently on

a Danube River Cruise. Hank and Karen loved the times they had together.

Hank was the youngest of 11 children. He is preceded in death by three brothers who died in

infancy in Volhynia, brother Edward, and sisters Liz, Irmgard, and Erika.

He is survived by siblings Elly Pack, Al Streich, and Linda Merchant, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Hank is also survived by his beloved immediate family…Erin McDermott (John) of Lake Forest

Park and Andrew Streich (Natalie) of Brier, plus grandchildren Catherine & Eleanor

McDermott and Harrison & Norah Streich.

They meant the world to Hank. He was the best Papa the grandchildren could ask for.

To honor Hank’s life, a Memorial Service will be held at the Queen Anne Presbyterian Church

on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 12:00pm; 414 W. Howe St. Seattle 98119.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Hank’s name and sent to Fred Hutchison Cancer Care Center or Seattle Children’s Hospital Uncompensated Care.