Gerald R. “Joe” Proebstel of Stanfield died on April 19, 2018 in Walla Walla, Wash. at the age of 83.
He was born on Jan. 23, 1935 in Orchards, Wash. to Ellis and Elizabeth Bubach Proebstel.
Joe was raised in the Portland area before joining the United States Navy. He served during Korea, and after a 28-year career he retired as a Chief Hull Tech. While in the Navy, Joe served on several vessels and bases, including the USS Los Angeles (CA-135); USS Naval Station in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; USS Naval Air Training Command in Kingsville, Texas; USS Fulton AS11, New London, Conn.; USS Simon Lake Plank owner Scotland; USS Ashland LSD, Norfolk, Va.; naval and active ship maintenance facility, Bremerton, Wash.; and the naval base in San Diego, Calif. He was a member of Seabees 10 in Port Hueneme, Calif., where he was chosen to serve with a select team in Palau.
Joe was united in marriage to Patricia G. Ross on Sept. 15, 1955 in West Linn. After Joe retired from the Navy, they lived in Parkdale from 1978 until moving to Stanfield in 1983, where they have lived since. Joe worked as a mechanic for Lamb Weston until he retired in 2000.
He was a member of the VFW, American Legion and Fleet Reserves. Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, his hobby farm, playing cards and watching horse racing. He cherished spending time with his grandchildren at their sporting events and other activities.
He is survived by his wife, Pat Proebstel, Stanfield; daughters, Gayle Hamner (Rex), Pinedale, Wyo., Carolyn Papineau (Jay), Lexington, and Janet Herbes (Mike), Union; sons, James Proebstel (Cindy), Portland and Bill Escobar (Laura), Camarillo, Calif.; 14 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Miles; and sisters, Arlie and Violet.
Those who wish may make contributions in Joe’s memory to a charity of your choice.
A graveside funeral service with military honors will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the Pleasant View Cemetery, Stanfield.
Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
