Thomas Bernard “Bernie” Hingston died on Aug. 14, 2008 at Regency on Whidbey at the age of 91.
He was born June 13, 1917 in Langley to Mark E. and Margaret E. (Lane) Hingston. In January of 1921 he moved with his parents to San de Fuca, where his father operated the San de Fuca General Store for many years. Bernie attended the San de Fuca School through the sixth grade and then completed his education in Coupeville.
Following high school, Bernie attended Washington State College for one year. He left the island and traveled to the Yukon Territory, where he served as a deckhand on a river paddleboat.
Bernie befriended a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who convinced him to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. Bernie enlisted and flew B-40s and the Mosquito, an all-wood DeHavilland, unarmed aircraft that served as a multi-faceted bomber, capable of flying at 387 mph and the first twin-engine aircraft to operate from an aircraft carrier. He served the RCAF from 1939 to 1944.
Bernie transferred to the U.S. Army Air Force, again serving as a pilot aboard the C-46, flying over the “Hump” from India to China. He also flew as a ferry pilot, flying a myriad of aircraft. Bernie was married to the former Betty Dennis in Niagara Falls on Feb. 25, 1945.
World War II ended and Bernie returned to Whidbey Island. He went to work as a civilian firefighter at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Bernie retired as a captain with over 23 years of service. Not one to sit around, Bernie obtained his real estate license and began selling property for Chuck Roberts. He eventually opened his own office for a time with Dale Stewart.
Bernie was a longtime member of the Coupeville Lions Club and was very active with its garage sale. He enjoyed hunting and had a passion for poker. He loved “wheeling and dealing.”
Bernie is survived by two grandchildren, Daniel Hingston and wife Joy of Ohio and Heather Hingston of Kansas, and two grandchildren, Samantha Hingston and his namesake, Thomas Edmund Hingston; one sister Dorothy Bluhm Urbick and husband Leo of Samish Island; one daughter-in-law, Betty Hingston of Kansas; two sister-in-laws Helen (Julius) O’Dell of Welland, Canada and Alice Hingston of Seattle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his son Dennis Hingston, his parents, two brothers Kenneth and Bill Hingston and sister Peggy Cooley.
Funeral services for Bernie Hingston will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 at Burley Funeral Chapel with Pastor Darrel Berg of the Guemes Island Community Church officiating. Cremation will follow with family internment at Sunnyside Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Coupeville Lions Club Foundation. A reception for family and friends will follow the services at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge.
Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
