My uncle Bill

My Uncle Bill (William Eric Paine, Sr., born 16 August 1939) passed away early this morning, just shy of his 83rd birthday. Growing up, I don’t think I could have asked for a better Uncle.

My aunt Elaine

Today, my aunt Elaine, my mother’s younger sister, passed away in Summit Pacific Hospital in Elma, WA, at nearly 81 years of age. The picture shown is her high school graduation picture (Lincoln High School, Tacoma, WA).

Elaine Louise Berg was born on the 8th of August 1939, in Tacoma, WA, to John and Emma Berg. My earliest memories of my aunt are from 1963; our family moved from Santee, CA to Tacoma, WA, and stayed temporarily with her (and her husband, William, and young son William, Jr.) at their home on Violet Meadow Lane. My parents rented a place nearby on Wheeler St. while our new house on 34th Ave E. was under construction. I have wonderful memories of my aunt Elaine. Our families were very close. At Christmas, she would play the piano while we all gathered around and sang Christmas Carols.

Elaine leaves behind her two daughters, Beth Moser and Stephanie Looser, Stephanie’s husband, Aaron, Granddaughter Melodie Stringfield, husband Eric, Great Granddaughter, Savannah, Great Grandson, Hunter, Granddaughter, Samantha Kienok and her husband, David, and Great Grandson Eric Paine (Eric’s father, William Eric Paine, Jr. passed away in 2018). Elaines daughter, Jennifer, also predeceased her. Elaine’s ashes are interred with her mother, Emma.

My cousin Bill

This morning, another dreary damp day in Tacoma, my cousin William (Bill) Eric Paine, born on the 28th of December 1961, passed away, losing his fight with cancer.  He was only 56 years old.

There are times when mere words cannot express the sorrow one feels, or can heal a wounded heart, or provide hope to carry one through to the next day. This is one of those times. I have such cherished memories growing up with my cousin Bill; Holiday gatherings (the Fourth of July and Christmastime were my particular favorites), building marvelous things out of Legos, Tinker Toys and Erector sets, playing baseball, throwing the football around, snow tubing down the pasture hill, singing along to Arlo Guthrie’s Alice’s Restaurant Massacree (with the four-part harmony), working on our cars … ah, the sweet simplicity of youth. Although through the years our lives would drift apart, my son and I were privileged to be among those celebrating Bill’s marriage to Corey. I was stunned when I learned of his illness, hoping and praying that he would win his battle with cancer, but God seems to have had a different plan. Through it all, Bill’s humor, bravery and selflessness shown through. He would always ask me how I was doing, as if any problem I might have could possibly compare to his. Remarkable. I will miss my cousin, my friend, and will always remember his kindness, intelligence, generosity and selflessness. My wish for Bill’s family, and for everyone who loved him, is to find comfort in faith, knowing that he has gone home to be with God and will forever live in our hearts.

Memorial Page

My brother Gary

My brother passed away today, he was almost 68 years old (the image on the left is when he was about 13 years old in Santee, California).  Gary Wayne Harshman was born on the 7th of December 1949 in Tacoma, Washington.  He was an exceedingly good man and raised three wonderful children.  A highly intelligent, humorous and caring man, he was always there to lend a helping hand and to lift the spirits of everyone near.  He was also an accomplished guitarist.  If it were not for his influence and moral support, I may not have become a Physicist.  He even taught me to tie a double Windsor knot so I would look presentable.  A true Renaissance man, he touched many, many lives during his all too brief time on Earth, and his love and caring spirit will live on through all of us.  I will miss him very much, remember what he taught me and be consoled in the knowledge that he is with our parents in God’s loving arms.  Gary leaves behind his three children, Andrew, Lana and Natalie, two siblings, Joni and Dale (me), three nephews, Mathew, Daniel and Joshua and many many more who knew and loved him.  I will be forever grateful that God chose him to be my brother. more



Gary’s 60th birthday celebration (2009).


GARY W. HARSHMAN (7 December 1949 – 28 September 2017)
Senior Environmental Planner

Key Areas of Experience
Environmental Impact Assessments
Permit Procurement
Environmental Analyses
Resource Planning
Environmental Document Preparation
Public Involvement

Education
B.S., Biological Oceanography, University of Washington, 1973
B.S., Marine Biology, University of Washington, 1973

Memberships
American Water Resources Association, Founding Chairman, Public Involvement Committee

Gary Harshman has extensive experience in environmental, capital facilities, transportation and resource planning. He has conducted SEPA reviews and procured permits for dozens of projects. He has also been involved in developing capital facilities plans consistent with the requirements of the Washington State Growth Management Act.

Gary’s broad knowledge of upland, shoreline and offshore resources includes permit applications for general development, assessment of potential impacts of residential and industrial development, environmental impacts of public projects, and surveys of commercial and environmental resources. He has served as an ecologist and environmental consultant studying the impacts and risks associated with energy-related and other industrial development throughout Washington State. Gary also has been active in terrestrial and aquatic resource development and coastal resource planning throughout the Northwest. In addition, he has been very active in the area of public involvement and citizen education with regard to environmental issues. more