H. (Harold) Norman Hyatt

Keith & Keith Funeral Home

A Life Well Lived

H. Norman Hyatt, healthcare developer, rancher, author and local philanthropist died Tuesday, February 26, 2019. He was an avid reader, genealogist, traveler and a scholar. He was 79 years old and died in Yakima, where he was born and currently resided.

The only child of Harold Chandler Hyatt and Daisy Belle Myers Hyatt, Norm was born on November 2, 1939 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Yakima. He was raised in Seattle during World War II and then on a small cattle ranch in Prosser, WA. He graduated from Prosser High School in 1957.

In 1948 Harold and Daisy bought 12 registered Angus heifers. They remained in the cattle business for the rest of their lives and son Norman became a big part of its success. He started to show cattle in 1953 and continued until 1985. Top honors were won at major cattle shows from Canada to Colorado including the Toppenish and Yakima County Fairs. In 1985, he was part of a syndicate which owned and exhibited the International Grand Champion Aberdeen Angus bull at the Grand National in Denver, CO. Following that, Hyatt Angus Ranch retired its show string.

Following high school, Norm immediately joined the United States Marine Corps and was on active duty from 1957-1959 serving in Vietnam in Recon. He retired as a Captain in 1964 following several years in the reserves.

Norm graduated from Yakima Valley Community College, and then was accepted to and attended Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. Norm received a B.A. in journalism in 1962 and a M.A. in 1964 in International Economics. While at Stanford, he researched and worked in several Latin and Central American countries.

In 1959, Norm married Carol J. Castle of Grandview and they were blessed with two wonderful sons: Norman Randall Hyatt (born in Palo Alto, in 1961) and Jeffrey Norman Hyatt (born in Bellevue in 1964).

From 1964-1966 Norm worked for the Joshua Green Corporation and People’s Bank in acquisitions and management. It was during this period that Norm met many of his lifetime banking friends.

Sadly, in 1966, Norm’s father, Harold, suffered a heart attack and Norm relocated his family back to Eastern Washington to support and join into business with his parents who owned and operated Yakima Convalescent on Yakima Avenue and developed Yakima Retirement Manor, the first retirement property of it’s type in the Valley. Those two buildings are now the home of the YWCA, an organization close to Norm’s heart.

In conjunction, Norm pursued ranching and became involved with the Japanese Agricultural Training Program. Over the years the various ranches Norm owned hosted 23 different trainees over a 23 years. The young men that the family hosted have remained treasured life-long friends. As a result, Norm was honored to be the guest speaker at the 20th World Assembly in Tokyo, Japan in 1975.

Norm and his wife Karen met in 1979 and have been inseparable partners and companions in work, life and love for 40 years. Together they founded a healthcare company that buys, builds and develops long-term care properties. For many years they have run a robust healthcare consulting company, pharmacies (Tieton Village and River Village Drug), and numerous other entrepreneurial endeavors in development and real estate. Both sons have been involved in various aspects of the business and are partners in various properties and other separate personal endeavors.

Serving as chair of the Washington Health Care Reimbursement Committee from 1979-2007, Norm was instrumental in developing policy and advocating for funding to support the frail and elderly of our state. He was widely respected as one of the leaders in that organization for many years and had many friends state wide and nationally in that profession.

Along with sons Randy and Jeff, Norm and Karen still ranch in Eastern Oregon at Cold Springs Ranch, a beautiful property in the high desert that has brought Norm immense joy. It was his hobby to plan and execute projects to enhance the land and habitat.

Norm and Karen loved to travel and covered the globe. From Antarctica to a recent trip through the Northwest Passage (2017), across Russia, China and the Silk Road by private train, Western Europe, South America, Asia and Australia and New Zealand. They have made friends worldwide.

A true scholar, Norm’s love of history and genealogy led him to author two books about his family and the early pioneers of Eastern Montana. A well researched, historically accurate “An Uncommon Journey” enjoyed popularity as a text book as well as a biography. “A Hard Won Life” recounts a life of hardship and hope in the Montana Territory during the late 1800’s. Norm was the happiest traveling and researching for each book. He made friends throughout Montana. Both books have enjoyed success.

Despite all Norm accomplished, he was an unpretentious simple man. He loved his family and was proud of each of them, he could talk to anyone and make them feel comfortable and important. He made friends around the globe and never met a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his father Harold Chandler Hyatt and mother Daisy Belle Myers Hyatt, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and special cousins Sylvia and Bruce Craven.

He will be remembered with laughter, love and tears by his wife Karen, his sons Randy (Patti) and Jeff (Angela), their mother Carol, his grandchildren Tanner, Audre, Carrie, Dane, Madison, and Hollie and his grandchildren of the heart, Haley Heitzman-Denison, Autumn Denison, Sharayah Ashby (Camden) and Kylie Ott. He leaves behind numerous cousins.

There will be a Celebration of Life in June – date, time and place to be determined. The family will scatter his ashes on his beloved ranch in Oregon.

A quiet philanthropist, Norm was an avid supporter of wife Karen and her work in founding PNWU. He participated fully and behind the scenes. Together with other community members he helped build a new building for the YVGS Library, one of the most extensive genealogical library collections in Washington State. His grandmother’s mistreatment as a child led him to assist the YWCA in acquiring the YCC/YRM site for their new headquarters. He has supported their efforts to protect the vulnerable from domestic violence.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, the YWCA, the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society and the Capitol Theatre either directly or in care of Keith and Keith who will be caring for the family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.keithandkeith.com.

Karen extends huge affection and love to the family and friends that were caregivers for Norm in his final 15 days. No man was better cherished and loved than Norm during that time.

The family also thanks the Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital for the expert and companionate care. And finally, the staff at Landmark Care Center where Norm died peacefully, back home with the healthcare family he helped found.

Norm’s view of life can be

best summed up from a

poem he wrote for his

grandson Tanner in 1993

entitled “Who Am I, Why Am I Here.”

Life is a gift which we all pass through

In a long continuing line.

Just do your best. You’ll pass the test.

Don’t worry, Son. You’ll do fine.

Life spans from my Being through yours---

God allows about three-score and ten.

When one falls off another begins

And Time starts over again.

---

published: 6/16/2019:

November 2, 1939 - February 26, 2019

Keith & Keith Funeral Home

Please join the Hyatt family in celebrating a life well-lived as we cherish and honor Norm’s memory, June 29, 2019, 1:00-3:00 PM at Running Springs Ranch, 271 Running Springs Lane, Naches, WA.

Gather with us for lunch to celebrate and share our best memories and moments.

For directions to the venue see www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/yakima-wa/h-harold-norman-hyatt-8186000