Harold Acker Obituary

HAROLD "WES" ACKER, JR. September 8, 1931 ~ May 18, 2014

Wes, age 82, passed away on May 18, 2014 at home in Washougal, WA. He was born in Camas, WA to Harold (Dytch) and Martha and was raised in Washougal.
After graduating from Washougal High School he joined the Army, served basic training in Baltimore, Maryland, and was then stationed in Japan and Korea for two and a half years in ordinance maintenance as a Staff Sargent. He was honorably discharged in June of 1954.
Upon his discharge from the Army, Wes attended Clark Junior College and the University of Washington, receiving the Associate Arts, Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.
Wes and Marlene were married in 1956, and lived most of their married life in the Washougal area.
In 1991, he retired from Bonneville Power where he received several awards over the years for his innovative ideas. Upon retiring, Wes solidified plans to spend a good share of his retirement in Alaska where he and Marlene enjoyed sightseeing, fishing for both halibut and salmon in Cook Inlet, digging razor clams, and making many new and lasting friends from all over the United States. His favorite pastime was cutting firewood with his trusty chainsaw, enjoying the thrill of watching birds and animals in the woods, and picking mushrooms and huckleberries.
Wes is survived by his wife, Marlene, at home; son-in-law, Lee Uhlar; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by their son, Kenny; daughter, Linda Uhlar; and his sister, Diane Miles.
Wes donated his body to OHSU, and his ashes will eventually be spread among the trees at home.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Sat., May 31, 2014 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The celebration will begin with an Honor Guard salute followed with a light buffet in the Legion Hall at 10221 Washougal River Road (10 miles up the Washougal River Road from Washougal).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Hospice Southwest, PO Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668.
Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.