Clifford Melvin Hestdalen, formerly of Poulsbo, died May 15. He was 83.
Hestdalen was born June 19, 1926, to Abe and Allie (Bobst) Hestdalen in Abercrombie, N.D. He was educated in Abercrombie and drafted at the beginning of his senior year before graduating from high school. He was awarded two Bronze Stars for his service in the African and European campaigns during World War II. He returned to the United States to serve in the Ceremonial Detachment at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and the White House.
After his discharge from the Army, Hestdalen attended Moorehead State University in Moorehead, Minn. He graduated with bachelor’s degree in business and accounting and a teaching certificate. He then went on to receive his master’s degree from the University of North Dakota. He went to work as a teacher, counselor, coach and administrator in North Dakota, Montana, California and Washington. Hestdalen was instrumental in the initiation of the “inside/outside work experience programs” in California. He retired from education in 1980 and moved to Poulsbo with his wife, Sharon, and son, Brannan.
During their retirement, the couple spent 30 years traveling the United States from coast to coast, as well as many cruises from Mexico to Alaska, through the Panama Canal, and many others. Hestdalen’s interests included RVing, golf, baseball (volunteering at the Mariners’ Cactus League), fishing, gardening, travel and especially his family.
Hestdalen belonged to a number of organizations and clubs, including the National Education Association, Kiwanis Club, Rotary, Elks Lodge #1482, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon, in Longview; his son, Brannan (Melanie) Rowe of Poulsbo; four sisters: Dorothy (Oscar) Leelman of Lead Hill, Ark., Frances (Herb) Meeks of Concord, Calif., Hazel Stowell of Schroon Lake, N.Y., and Fay Littlefield of Hillsboro, Ore.; two brothers: Donald (Marlyne) Hestdalen of Abercrombie and Gene (Linda) Hestdalen of Terrebonne, Ore.; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Frank (Cynda) Webb of Longview and Bill (Kris) Grace of Lynden; his granddaughters, Caitilin Rowe of Springfield, Ohio, Cassidy (Josh) and Elijah Conners, all of Tacoma, and Miranda Eubanks of Poulsbo; his family friend, John (Claudia) Arruda of Poulsbo; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cliff was preceded in death by a son, Clifford M. Hestdalen Jr.; a brother, David Hestdalen; a sister, Myrtle Worth; as well as his parents.
A private service is scheduled to be at Tahoma National Cemetery.
