Owen Gilbert Haselton

Born in Everett, Washington, on January 8, 1937, Owen became the Duncan WA State Yo-Yo Champion at 13. He graduated from Snohomish High School in 1955 as Student Body President and also enjoyed drama and tennis.

Often voted the “funniest,” “brainiest,” and “best writer” in his family, Owen graduated from MIT and then spent 35 years as a Boeing engineer. He wrote computer programs for projects including the Lunar Orbiter, an airport in Taiwan and many others. He also spent several years in England the training the Royal Air Force on AWACS planes.

Owen’s lifelong curiosity fueled many adventures, including part ownership of the sailboat Eros, which he sailed in the 1973 Six Meter World Cup. An early adopter of houseboat life, Owen raised his children on Seattle’s Portage Bay and later lived in a floating home on South Lake Union. A committed horseplayer, he devoted countless hours to his handicapping program, SuperNag, with mixed results.

Owen married the love of his life and fellow Snohomish High School graduate, Diane Ramberg (Linse), on February 1, 2012. They shared 14 adventure-filled years before Diane passed away on January 28, 2026, just days before their anniversary.

Owen reveled in being a dad and “Faux Pas” to his stepchildren. He lived for Diane, golf, horse racing, sailing, opera, building birdhouses, fresh cracked crab and the New York Times crossword puzzle. A prolific letter writer, he was known far and wide for his annual Christmas cards. He was also a generous friend and quiet supporter of people and causes he believed in.

Owen was preceded in death by his parents, Beatrice and Owen Haselton; his sister, Joan Pfuhl; and his beloved wife, Diane Ramberg.

He is survived by his children, Brennan (Ann) Haselton and Hilary Haselton; stepchildren Jon (Maria) Ramberg, Brian (Linda) Ramberg, and Mark (Christa) Ramberg; sisters Margie Haselton and Sandra Hauser; grandchildren Tim (Kelsey) Ramberg, Becca (Chance Alsup) Ramberg, Hayden Ramberg, Lillian Ramberg, and Justus Ramberg; great-grandchildren Ryan and Riley Ramberg; many nieces and nephews, and countless lifelong friends.

A celebration of Owen’s life will be held at the Red Onion Tavern in Seattle on Saturday, September 26, at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Owen Haselton to Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue.