Harold Henry ‘Butch’ Liesegang Hermiston August 18, 1918-January 17, 2016

Harold Henry (Butch) Liesegang, 97, of Hermiston passed away on Sunday, January 17th, 2016, in Hermiston. Harold was born on August 18th, 1918, at the Echo family home to Katherine Bottger Liesegang and Edward C. Liesegang.

He attended all grades in Echo and graduated from Echo High School in 1936. Harold attended Pacific University on a football scholarship, transferring to Oregon State College where he played on the OSU baseball team.

Harold married Marjorie Hindman Sept. 14, 1941, at the Episcopal Church in Pendleton. They celebrated 72 years of marriage before Marjorie passed in 2013. They were members of the Hermiston United Methodist Church for many years.

A daughter, Jan, was born in 1943.

In 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in California and the Calicoan Naval Base, Samar, Philippines. He was awarded Pacific Area Campaign Medal, Philippines Liberation Medal and the WW II Victory Medal. Harold was discharged in 1946 and returned to Echo. A son, Bob, was born in 1946. After the war he returned to his job at the Umatilla Army Depot. He retired from the depot, as comptroller, in 1973 with 32 years of service and three years of Navy service.

Harold was the youngest Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge in Oregon, 1951, recently being honored for 72 years of service in 2013. He was a life member of the Pendleton Elks Lodge, and his active life included membership in the Echo Veterans of Foreign Wars, president of the Echo P.T.A., Hermiston Kiwanis International, OSU Dad’s Club, 1961-69 (director in 1968) and Echo Quarterback Club. Sports were a big part of his life as a spectator and participant; officiating the East-West Shrine Game in Pendleton for 18 games was a highlight. He played fast pitch softball for Harris Pine Mills and the Pendleton Grain Growers, being selected in 1951 and 1952 for the state all-star team. In 1949 Butch was selected as the tournament’s outstanding player. He batted left-handed so he could get to first base faster, and short stop was his favorite position.

Golf, square dancing, round dancing, gambling, and travel and his family filled his retirement years. Many miles were put on their Blazer and trailer before they spent the winters in Mesa, Arizona. He played his brand of golf into his 90s.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Marjorie, his parents and his brother Eddie.

He is survived by his daughter Jan Hansen (Ed); son Robert Liesegang (Sue); four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family suggest memorials to the Echo Museum or to the Echo Quarterback Club.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 22, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at the Burns Mortuary chapel in Hermiston. Burial with military honors will follow at the Echo Cemetery.

Please sign the guest book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com