Walter George Liebe of Hermiston passed away peacefully on March 9, 2020 at the age of 97.
He was born on Feb. 10, 1923 in Lebanon to George and Ida Middlestadt Liebe.
His family moved to Hermiston when he was 3 months old. He attended Columbia School in Hermiston. He was a World War II veteran who served in the 187th Regiment of 11th Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. His qualifications included parachutist’s badge and glider badge. He also qualified as a sharpshooter with an M1 rifle. His deployments included New Guinea, Southern Philippines, and Luzon from 1943 to 1946. He earned the American Theater Service Medal, Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with two bronze service stars, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Bronze Service Arrowhead, and Good Conduct Medal. In 1945, Private First Class Liebe served on General MacArthur’s honor guard for the signing of the peace treaty with Japan aboard the USS Missouri. His military nickname was Slim, and he was better known as “a man of few words.”
After his service in the Pacific, he returned to Hermiston. In 1948, he married Adelle (Fort) Anson and had five children, Shirley, David, Daniel, John and Steve. In 1965 he married his second wife, Margaret (Thorpe) Liebe and gained three stepchildren, Patty, Larry and Terry. As a civilian he worked for the Umatilla Army Depot as a packer of high explosives, as well as many other positions, for 34 years. In 1954, he had the honor of driving President Eisenhower from the Pasco, Wash. airport to the dedication of McNary Dam. After his retirement at the Umatilla Army Depot, he went to work at J.R. Simplot for 10 years. After his second retirement, he returned to work as a volunteer at the Hermiston Senior Center.
He is survived by sons, David Liebe and John (Martha) Liebe of Hermiston; stepchildren, Patricia (Liedtke) (Gene) Duvall of Kingston, Wash. and Terry
Liedtke of Pilot Rock; step-daughter-in-law, Jill Liedtke of Eugene; and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret (Thorpe) Liebe; his parents, George and Ida Liebe; daughter, Shirley (Liebe) Tannahill; sons, Daniel Liebe and Stephen Liebe; and stepson, Larry Liedtke.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Hermiston.
A graveside service with military honors will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please share memories of Walter with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
