Harvey K. Friesen Jr.

Harvey Friesen was born in Bothell, Wash., July 4, 1947, to Harvey Sr. and Gladys Friesen. Papa, as he was known to his grandsons, passed away peacefully Feb. 19, 2015, after enduring an extended illness for years.

After graduating from Bothell High, he attended Shoreline CC for his associate degree before transferring to Washington State. Go Cougars. A year and a half later, he decided he had enough schooling, falling one semester shy of getting his biology and physical education teaching degree. He opened his own business, HighCountry outfitters, and started taking city folks up in the mountains. Around 1973, he joined the Washington State Ferries, where he served as a captain for more than 25 years and retired in 2005.

Dad started spending summers and weekends on Whidbey Island in the 1960s, when grandpa finished building their lake house, eventually building his own, two doors down.

He loved being up in the mountains on horseback, born to be a cowboy and a mountain man. You could always count on him showing up at your sporting events, usually coaching. More than anything, he loved being a father and later a grandfather. He was damn great at it, too. His boys came first.

Harvey is survived by his son Jake, daughter-in-law Isha, and grandsons Ryder and Kanin, of South Dakota; son Joel, of Clinton; sister, Jan Kelly, and brother-in-law, Al, of Woodinville.

At his request, we will have a potluck celebrating Harvey’s life at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at Holmes Harbor Rod & Gun Club. Bring some stories.