A5
THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021
OBITUARIES
Walter G. “Spike” Weber
Jr. passed from this world
peacefully at home on April
7 at the age of 81. His wife,
three children, brother and
close friends were honored
to be by his side, surrounding
him with love the last week of
his life.
Born in Yakima, Wash-
ington, to Phyllis Jane and
Walter G. Weber Sr. on July
2, 1939, Walt was raised in
Kelso, Washington, with his
younger brother, John.
Many stories have been
shared about the two Weber
boys exploring the rivers,
sloughs and fi elds of Cowlitz
County. Those early child-
hood days fostered Walt’s
deep devotion to the outdoors.
Despite a birth injury to
his hip that was undetected
until walking age, and thanks
to his devoted mother, Phyllis
— who went as far as “camp-
ing out” in the lobby of Seat-
tle’s Children’s Orthopedic
Hospital until only the best
surgeon would see him—
Walt overcame many surger-
ies and physical challenges
to become a great athlete and
avid outdoorsman.
After graduating from
Kelso High School in 1957,
Walt attended the University
of Washington, graduating
with an accounting degree in
1961. It was at his graduation
party at the UW where Walt
met his “Sheri,” his future
wife.
Sharon Marie Wells imme-
diately caught Walt’s very
discerning eye. He bravely
walked up to her, introduced
himself and politely off ered
her his beer. Sharon smiled at
him, then politely asked him
to get her a cold one. They
married one year later.
Employed as a certifi ed
public accountant at Peat,
Marwick & Mitchell in Port-
land in the early 1960s, Walt
soon decided a desk job
was not for him. With sup-
port from his loving wife,
they moved to Corvallis so
Walt could attend Oregon
State University, where he
achieved an additional degree
in marine biology.
As they started their fam-
ily, Walt began his dream
job as a North Coast fi sh and
g ame b iologist for the Ore-
Walter G. ‘Spike’ Weber Jr.
Chinook, Washington
July 2, 1939 — April 7, 2021
gon Department of Fish and
As a lifelong learner, Walt
Wildlife. The Webers then had a plethora of interests
moved to Seaside, into a outside of hunting and fi sh-
house steps from
ing. His endeav-
the ocean.
ors included scuba
Walt immersed
diving, water and
himself in his
snow skiing, Toast-
work, family and
masters,
fl y-ty-
community. Ever
ing, master garden-
the
entertainer,
ing, winemaking,
he led his fam-
water color paint-
ily on great out-
ing, cooking, wild-
door adventures:
life art and excur-
salmon
fi shing,
sions to Alaska and
Walter Weber
clam digging, crab-
Eastern Oregon for
bing, vacationing
fi shing and hunting
at the family’s Hood Canal with his son and good friends.
cabin, father-and- son hunt-
Once the children were
ing trips, water-skiing excur- grown, Walt left his post on
sions (wow, he was a patient the Oregon C oast in 1988.
teacher) and camping and He and Sheri relocated to the
road trips to interesting high desert of Bend, where
places.
he took on a dual position
A proud father, he was a with the Deschutes National
big supporter of the Seaside Forest in partnership with
Kids program, and coached the Department of Fish and
his son’s Little League teams. Wildlife .
He rarely, if ever, missed
As a satisfying coda to his
his kids’ extracurricular career, he was promoted to
activities.
district fi sh and game biolo-
When Sheri began her gist, Northern Coast Region,
running career in the late which brought Walt and Sheri
1970s, Walt supportively back to the beautiful coast,
rode his bike alongside her settling in the quaint town of
in his “Sheri’s Coach” sweat- Chinook, Washington, on the
shirt, and he often brought Long Beach Peninsula. He
wildfl owers to her from the retired in 1997.
forests he worked in.
Walt’s passionate com-
In his community, Walt mitment to and leadership in
was the go-to guy when an countless Northwest orga-
abandoned seal pup, moth- nizations that work to pro-
erless fawn or other at-risk tect and restore wildlife hab-
creature was discovered.
itats will be dearly missed.
A generous teacher, he His advocacy for the rights
always had resources at the of area hunters and fi shermen
ready for anyone interested was tireless.
in learning about the wildlife
Walt co-founded the North
habitats of the world. In fact, Coast Chapter of Ducks
his kids recall him regularly Unlimited in the 1980s, was
reading the National Geo- a founding member of Rain-
graphic to them as their bed- land Flycasters Club and, in
time story!
retirement, was the major
The Seaside School Dis- driving force in the contin-
trict honored Walt for his con- uance of the Department of
tributions to educational pro- Fish and Wildlife’s essential
grams, which helped students Salmonberry River winter
better understand the Oregon steelhead spawning surveys.
C oast’s local resources and
Walt had the wisdom and
management.
foresight to continue the col-
As an early advocate of lection of this data, which
recycling, he taught his fam- was intrinsic in preserving
ily the diff erence one person the future health and spawn-
could make, however small, ing habitat of one of the last
by doing their part.
truly wild steelhead runs in
Lorian Marie ‘Lori’ McSwain
a free-fl owing river on the
n orthern Oregon Coast.
Other organizations that
he tirelessly donated his
time, energy and resources
to include the Native Fish
Society, Necanicum Water-
shed Council, Oregon Trout,
American Fisheries Society
and Trout Unlimited.
Walt’s immense circle of
friends speaks to the value
he placed on relationships.
Rarely did he miss a Kelso
High School reunion. He
treasured new friendships
just as much as those that
were steadfast and decade-
slong. He never failed to ask
his kids about those dearest to
them, as well.
Those closest to him will
miss his crab cocktails, oys-
ters on the half shell and his
smoked duck and salmon
hors d’oeuvres . Those lucky
enough will also remember
sipping a bourbon with him
now and again.
Walt is survived and
missed by his wife, Sharon;
his three children, Lance
Weber, Lisa (Paddy) Ryan
and Tammy (Dan) Elwess;
seven grandchildren, Sharon
(Richard) Bracey, Bradley
Weber, Jane, Maggie and Pat-
rick Ryan, Meredith (Sam-
uel) Marksberry and Shane
Elwess; great-granddaugh-
ters, Kendra and Kaylynn;
brother, John (Bev) Weber;
and many much-loved cous-
ins, nieces, nephews, in-laws
and friends.
In his memory, please take
a long hike in the wilderness
and thank him for his contri-
butions toward saving it for
future generations.
If you would like to honor
him, please feel free to do so
by making a contribution in
his name to the North Coast
Chapter of Ducks Unlim-
ited using this link: bit.ly/
NCDucks. The money col-
lected will go toward DU
youth programs.
A celebration to honor his
well-lived life is planned to
take place this summer.
Warrenton
Jan. 29, 1942 — April 2, 2021
Lorian Marie “Lori” also survived by eight grand-
McSwain, 79, of Warrenton, children, fi ve great-grandchil-
passed away April 2, 2021.
dren and numerous nieces and
nephews.
Lori was born
Lori worked
Jan. 29, 1942 in Flint,
in many careers
Michigan, to Leonard
before becom-
and Marguerite San-
ing a school bus
ford. After the death of
driver in Asto-
her mother, her family
ria, where she
relocated to Charlev-
was known and
oix, Michigan, in
remembered
1946, where she was
fondly.
raised with the help of
After
her
her grandmother.
Lorian McSwain
retirement, she
Lori was the
enjoyed sewing,
youngest of fi ve chil-
dren. Raymond “Ray,” Robert sharing stories and photos of
“Bob ” and Lucille (Allard) all her grandchildren and travel-
preceded her in death. Richard ing to see her grandchildren.
Sanford survives in Michigan. She was a constant fi xture at
Lori graduated in Charlev- sporting and 4-H events in
oix. In 1961, she married Jim support of her granddaughter,
Lewicki. The two had three Baylee.
Interment will be private.
sons, and were later divorced.
In 1978, she married Steve A celebration of life will be
McSwain in Astoria. They had announced by her family at a
one son. Steve preceded her in later date.
In lieu of fl owers, dona-
death in April 2000.
In addition to her brother, tions may be made to the
Lori is survived by four sons, American Cancer Society or
Tim (Julie), Tom (Michelle) the Clatsop County 4-H Club.
Hughes-Ransom Mortu-
and
Trevor
(Danielle)
Lewicki, all residing in North ary is in charge of the arrange-
Carolina and South Caro- ments. An online guest book
lina, and Adrian (Melissa) may be signed at hughesran-
McSwain of Astoria. Lori is som.com
County reports 10 new virus cases
The Astorian
Clatsop County has reported 10 new coronavirus
cases over the past few days.
On Friday, the county reported six cases.
The cases include two males and a female between
10 and 19, a man and a woman in their 30s and a man
in his 60s living in the southern part of the county.
All six were recovering at home.
On Thursday, the county reported four cases.
The cases involve a woman in her 40s and two men
and a woman in their 50s living in the southern part of
the county.
All four were recovering at home.
The county has recorded 912 cases since the start of
the pandemic. According to the county, 22 were hospi-
talized and eight have died.
We’ve gone ABOVE & BEYOND to make
sure you are COMFORTABLE & SAFE
at your next dental visit.
We have Infection Control Procedures
in place for your safety & ours.
** In addition to a filtration
system, external vacuum
systems, air purifiers,
and foggers, we have
added negative pressure
to all operatories. The
safety and comfort of
our patients has always
been a priority at Klemp
Family Dentistry. We are
very proud of these
innovations. Thank you
for your continued
confidence in all of us.
Thank you Diamond Heating and JJ
Electric Service LLC for completing our
negative pressure system.
Excellence in challenging conditions.
Diane G.
I saw the highest standard of health safety practices in effect
during my hygienist appointment today—much higher precau-
tions than I’d seen in a local hospital when having tests last
month. The new sanitation equipment and attention to patient
safety at Klemp Family Dentistry is in keeping with a dental
practice I consider cutting edge with respect to all my dental
needs. It’s wonderful having a world class dental practice here
at the coast, one where I can have procedures performed for
which I used to have to travel to a specialist in Portland. I have
been a patient of several local dentists in the past, but none
had the skill and, more importantly, the attention to patient
comfort that Dr Klemp provides.
KLEMP FAMILY DENTISTRY
1006 West Marine Drive, Astoria
(503) 468-0116
www.klempfamilydentistry.com
SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA
TODAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
REGIONAL FORECAST
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Seattle
53 42
55 43
56 42
Cloudy with a
Periods of rain
shower
A shower
59 43
Mostly cloudy
60 46
59 45
60 44
Rain possible
Cloudy, rain
possible
Showers
possible
Aberdeen
Olympia
52/43
53/45
Wenatchee
Tacoma
Moses
Lake
53/40
ALMANAC
UNDER THE SKY
TODAY'S TIDES
Astoria through Thursday
Tonight’s Sky: The tiny constel-
lation, Leo Minor, is beneath Ursa
Major, directly below the bowl of
the Big Dipper.
Astoria / Port Docks
Temperatures
High/low ................................ 55/49
Normal high/low .................. 57/42
Record high .................. 75 in 2005
Record low .................... 32 in 1960
Precipitation
Thursday ................................. 0.00”
Month to date ........................ 0.34”
Normal month to date ......... 4.04”
Year to date .......................... 33.15”
Normal year to date ........... 28.88”
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021
Source: Jim Todd, OMSI
Sunrise today .................. 6:13 a.m.
Sunset tonight ............... 8:15 p.m.
Moonrise today ............. 5:21 p.m.
Moonset today ............... 5:27 a.m.
Last
New
11:53 a.m. 7.4 6:02 a.m.
none
6:18 p.m.
Cape Disappointment
11:28 a.m. 7.3 5:18 a.m.
none
5:28 p.m.
First
11:41 a.m. 7.8 5:37 a.m.
none
5:50 p.m.
Warrenton
11:48 a.m. 7.8 5:46 a.m.
none
6:02 p.m.
Knappa
12:27 a.m. 7.8 7:03 a.m.
12:30 p.m. 7.7 7:19 p.m.
Depoe Bay
Apr 26 May 3 May 11 May 19
10:42 a.m. 7.3 4:45 a.m.
11:16 p.m. 8.2 4:56 p.m.
1.3
0.3
1.5
0.4
1.4
0.3
1.4
0.4
1.1
0.3
1.3
0.1
City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Honolulu
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
New York City
Phoenix
San Francisco
Wash., DC
Today
Hi/Lo/W
Sun.
Hi/Lo/W
71/54/t
70/51/s
57/39/r
77/54/pc
65/43/pc
85/72/pc
84/59/pc
68/54/pc
87/77/t
69/51/pc
91/65/s
61/52/c
66/52/r
72/52/s
55/47/r
51/40/pc
83/64/s
75/48/pc
85/71/pc
84/61/s
65/55/pc
90/72/s
64/45/r
92/62/pc
59/49/r
68/47/pc
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy,
c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms,
r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice.
57/43
Hermiston
The Dalles 66/44
Enterprise
Pendleton 50/33
61/41
60/42
La Grande
52/38
55/42
NATIONAL CITIES
High (ft.) Time Low (ft.)
Hammond
SUN AND MOON
Full
Time
50/38
Kennewick Walla Walla
58/42 Lewiston
66/44
55/42
Salem
Pullman
60/37
Longview
53/42 Portland
56/44
49/38
Yakima 63/40
53/40
Astoria
Spokane
57/41
Corvallis
56/40
Albany
58/41
John Day
Eugene
Bend
56/41
56/29
54/35
Ontario
62/43
Caldwell
Burns
55/30
63/44
Medford
58/42
Klamath Falls
50/30
City
Baker City
Brookings
Ilwaco
Newberg
Newport
Today
Hi/Lo/W
52/34/sh
49/44/r
54/43/r
56/42/r
50/42/r
Sun.
Hi/Lo/W
52/30/c
49/43/r
56/44/c
59/40/r
51/41/r
City
North Bend
Roseburg
Seaside
Springfi eld
Vancouver
Today
Hi/Lo/W
53/43/r
59/42/r
54/43/r
58/40/r
57/42/r
Sun.
Hi/Lo/W
52/41/r
57/40/r
56/42/r
59/42/r
60/41/r
