A5
THE ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021
OBITUARIES
State reports new virus cases for county
The Astorian
The Oregon Health Authority has
reported more than two dozen new coro-
navirus cases in Clatsop County over the
past several days.
Richard ‘Rich’ Miller
The health authority reported 15 virus
cases over the weekend and 12 virus
cases on Friday.
Since the pandemic began, the county
has recorded 2,117 virus cases and 25
deaths.
Astoria
July 11, 1943 — June 22, 2021
Hops: ‘We were aff ected pretty heavily’
Continued from Page A1
In June, the U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture predicted
the Pacifi c Northwest would
string 60,735 acres for har-
vest, 4% more than the pre-
vious year and an all-time
record.
Carpenter estimated that
because of heat damage,
however, the 2021 harvest
will actually fall below aver-
age. According to USDA’s
National Agricultural Sta-
tistics Service, the fi ve-year
average is 56,847 harvested
acres.
Much of that decrease in
strung hops can be attributed
to baby hop plants, stunted
by heat, never making it to
the trellis, according to Ann
George, the executive director
of Hop Growers of America.
Yields in Yakima, Wash-
ington , the No. 1 hop pro-
ducing state, are “down a bit”
this year, said Carpenter, of
Yakima Chief. Moxee fared
better, with yields at or above
average.
Oregon, industry leaders
say, was hurt more. The Citra
variety, an aroma hop highly
sought after by brewers, was
hit worst because it’s not very
heat-resilient.
Fred
Geschwill,
the
co-owner of F & B Farms
and Nursery in Woodburn, a
third generation hop grower
with about 300 hop acres, said
some of his Citra bocks, espe-
cially younger fi elds, took up
to a 60% reduction in yield.
“We
were
aff ected
pretty heavily on our farm,”
Geschwill said.
Sierra Dawn McClain/Capital Press
A hop harvest at Sodbuster Farms in Salem.
Because of the heat,
Geschwill
said,
spider
mites were “early and really
abundant.”
At Sodbuster Farms in
Salem, brother-sister team
Peter Weathers and Erica
Lorentz, who run the farm
alongside other family mem-
bers, said they saw about a
30% Citra loss. Of the farm’s
900 hop acres, about 230
acres are Citra.
Cones are also smaller and
lighter, they said.
Like Geschwill, they
also faced “really bad” spi-
der mites, and both farms say
fi nding enough laborers this
harvest was even harder than
in previous years.
Southwest Idaho hop yields
will also be below average.
Obendorf Farms owner
and manager Brock Oben-
dorf said that yields on ear-
ly-maturing varieties have
been down 15% to 20% from
average.
He said the unusually dry
spring and summer, and high
demand from farmers water-
ing crops in dry soil and
heat, pressured water sup-
plies. Many irrigation districts
planned to end delivery by
mid-September, two to three
weeks early.
But Obendorf said water
supply has been adequate
this season, and “most places
have wells to get to the hops
that will be left” after deliver-
ies end.
Michelle Gooding, the
chief operating offi cer at
Gooding Farms south of
Parma, said there were some
water-supply challenges in
the growing region. But they
were eased by conservative
practices and widespread use
of less consumptive drip irri-
gation in hops.
“The problem is that after
harvest, we won’t be able to
water back,” she said. Grow-
ers of perennial hops tradi-
tionally use irrigation water
available after harvest to “put
the crop to bed properly.”
Gooding Farms’ hop har-
vest is about 65% completed
and expected to conclude
Sept. 27.
Gooding said yields are
down about 20% from the
long-term average.
“We’re defi nitely seeing
reduced yield, and the tim-
ing of varieties has been much
more complicated,” she said.
Richard “Rich” Miller passed away sight unseen. They settled down in Asto-
on June 22, 2021, in his home. He was ria where they raised Robert and Curtis.
born in Waubay, South Dakota, on July He managed the J.J. Newberry store (later
bought out by the McCrory
11, 1943, to Philomena and
Co.) in Astoria for over 40
Henry Miller. Rich spent a lot
years, where he received many
of his memorable youth on
Manager of the Year awards
the family farm near Webster,
and became a well-established
South Dakota, with his grand-
businessman in the community.
father and grandmother, Joe
Rich was a dedicated father
Gonsoir and Veronica Snaza,
and husband. He worked tire-
and Uncle Joe and Stanley.
lessly to provide a good, sta-
He loved his pet crow, raising
ble life to his family. He loved
homing pigeons, being on the
hunting and fi shing in and
family farm and the great out-
Richard Miller
around Astoria and found clam-
doors, hunting and fi shing. He
ming on the North Oregon
always had a great story about
his youth and the wilder side of South Coast beaches to be a favorite past time
Dakota or Minnesota winters. His fam- when the conditions were right. He and
ily settled for a time in Aurora, Colo- Jan enjoyed longtime friends in the area
rado, where he met and married his high and spending time helping at the local
school sweetheart of more than 50 years, Eagles Club. They weren’t big travelers,
but enjoyed trips to Alaska, and interna-
Janice Hopkins.
He enjoyed rock and roll of the 1950s, tional trips to Israel, Egypt, Ireland and
fast cars and dancing. In the ‘60s it was Scotland, which they often reminisced
still nice cars but now cowboy boots, about. They always visited family when
country music and two stepping with Jan, they could. He is survived by his young-
who was from Texas. While in Colorado est son, Curtis, and his wife, Katie, and
they started a family, having their fi rst children, Luke and Finn, and their older
child, Robert. Rich worked for Hesteds son, Robert, and his wife, Amy, and chil-
department stores, where he worked his dren, Robyn and Nolan; his youngest sis-
way up from stock boy to store manager ter, Vickie, and her husband, Pat, and his
at a very young age. Hesteds was bought older sister, Lorraine (Lolly).
He was preceded in death by his par-
out by the J.J. Newberry Co., and Rich
was moved from Colorado to Twin Falls, ents, Philomena (Phillis) and Henry
Idaho, with a new baby boy. Four years Miller; his wife, Janice (Jan); and his
later they had another son, Curtis. Rich younger brother, Ronald (Ronnie). Visit
was off ered another move to California the online guest book at www.hughesran-
or Oregon. He and Jan chose Astoria, som.com
Mitchell Austin Penn
Astoria
Aug. 30, 1952 — Sept. 7, 2021
Mitchell “Mitch” Austin Penn
was born Aug. 30, 1952, in San
Rafael, California, and passed
away Sept. 7, 2021, in Astoria.
He is survived by his daugh-
ter, Jewell Penn (Damien)
Strowger; stepsons, Scott Lau-
rent and Jeremiah Sawyer;
numerous grandchildren; sisters,
Traci Penn Rector and Noelle
Penn; several nieces and neph-
ews, and dear friend, Cherylann
Hernandez: Patient, professional center of calm
Continued from Page A1
Originally from Chile,
Hernandez emigrated to the
U.S. in 2007. He came to
Oregon by way of Tennes-
see, where he worked at a ski
resort in Gatlinburg super-
vising international student
employees. It is something
he admires about his adopted
country, that people can
change their fi eld, or remain
in it if they excel. “You can
do everything — I mean, you
can do everything you want at
some point,” he said.
In Astoria, he found his
fi eld in social work. “It’s my
destiny probably,” he said
with a laugh.
For about two years, he
worked for a company driving
veterans to Portland, Vancou-
ver and Lebanon for medical
treatment at U.S. Department
of Veterans Aff airs clinics.
He landed his fi rst Clatsop
Community Action gig man-
ning the agency’s community
resource desk at Providence
Seaside Hospital, where he
worked for about 3 1/2 years,
before coming to the Astoria
offi ce.
At Clatsop Community
Action , “most people, they
are coming here to ask for
help,” he said.
When someone is spiral-
ing emotionally, he has to
remain cool. “They are not
happy with their life, they are
in (a) bad mood, or they have
problems — you know, life,”
he said. He knows he cannot
mirror their frustration, rise to
their level of intensity, or react
with negativity of his own. If
he cannot control the mood of
the person, he can at least con-
trol the interaction by being
patient and professional, a
center of calm for someone in
crisis.
Some people’s problems
may run so deep that they can-
not be helped — not funda-
mentally. But when the basics
can be taken care of, “We start
improving, a little bit, their
life,” Hernandez said.
To keep his mind clean,
Hernandez heads for the out-
doors — riding his bike,
camping and kayaking, going
for runs and walks, and spend-
ing time with friends and his
14-year-old daughter.
Zanavich.
He is preceded in death by his
parents, Cyril and Jane; broth-
ers, Todd and Roger Penn; sister,
Stephanie Penn; and son, Chris-
topher Sawyer.
Mitch was an incredible art-
ist, lover of music, classic car
enthusiast and close friend to
many.
A celebration of life will be
held at a later date.
Mitchell Penn
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SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA
TODAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
REGIONAL FORECAST
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Seattle
73 50
Partly sunny
and nice
65 49
68 50
72 50
66 49
Sunny to partly Mostly sunny
Not as warm
cloudy
and nice
Partly sunny
66 51
69 47
Mainly cloudy
Areas of low
clouds
Aberdeen
Olympia
77/55
72/54
Wenatchee
Tacoma
Moses
Lake
75/50
ALMANAC
UNDER THE SKY
TODAY'S TIDES
Astoria through Sunday
Tonight’s Sky: Full Harvest Moon
(4:54 p.m.).
Astoria / Port Docks
Temperatures
High/low ................................ 65/51
Normal high/low .................. 67/50
Record high .................. 85 in 1939
Record low .................... 36 in 1983
Precipitation
Sunday ..................................... 0.16”
Month to date ........................ 2.54”
Normal month to date ......... 1.41”
Year to date .......................... 40.52”
Normal year to date ........... 40.53”
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021
Time
1:53 a.m.
2:28 p.m.
7.7 8:23 a.m. -0.3
7.7 8:45 p.m. 0.2
Cape Disappointment
1:32 a.m.
2:05 p.m.
Source: Jim Todd, OMSI
Hammond
SUN AND MOON
Sunrise today .................. 7:01 a.m.
Sunset tonight ............... 7:15 p.m.
Moonrise today ............. 7:58 p.m.
Moonset today ............... 7:34 a.m.
Full
Last
New
First
1:43 a.m.
2:17 p.m.
Warrenton
1:48 a.m.
2:23 p.m.
Knappa
2:30 a.m.
3:05 p.m.
Depoe Bay
Sep 20 Sep 28 Oct 6 Oct 12
7.8 7:35 a.m. -0.2
7.5 7:52 p.m. 0.3
8.1 7:53 a.m. -0.3
7.9 8:14 p.m. 0.2
8.1 8:07 a.m. -0.2
8.1 8:29 p.m. 0.3
7.9 9:24 a.m. -0.3
7.9 9:46 p.m. 0.1
12:44 a.m. 8.2 7:02 a.m.
1:18 p.m. 8.1 7:22 p.m.
0.0
0.8
City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Honolulu
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
New York City
Phoenix
San Francisco
Wash., DC
Today
Hi/Lo/W
Wed.
Hi/Lo/W
81/70/t
71/65/pc
69/56/t
81/58/pc
68/44/s
87/76/pc
92/66/t
87/67/s
88/77/t
74/67/pc
101/79/s
85/58/s
80/69/pc
75/57/t
76/66/c
67/50/pc
84/56/s
83/50/s
88/74/s
83/56/pc
88/63/s
89/77/t
76/69/c
103/81/s
72/57/pc
80/69/sh
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy,
c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms,
r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice.
79/51
Hermiston
The Dalles 80/45
Enterprise
Pendleton 73/51
79/50
81/51
La Grande
74/44
82/53
NATIONAL CITIES
High (ft.) Time Low (ft.)
73/48
Kennewick Walla Walla
78/54 Lewiston
79/49
81/51
Salem
Pullman
75/46
Longview
73/50 Portland
83/56
72/48
Yakima 76/45
76/50
Astoria
Spokane
73/52
Corvallis
80/49
Albany
81/49
John Day
Eugene
Bend
81/50
82/48
78/46
Ontario
76/43
Caldwell
Burns
76/35
74/42
Medford
89/53
Klamath Falls
81/40
City
Baker City
Brookings
Ilwaco
Newberg
Newport
Today
Hi/Lo/W
72/36/s
68/50/pc
71/52/pc
82/48/s
66/49/s
Wed.
Hi/Lo/W
75/38/pc
64/54/pc
61/51/c
76/49/pc
62/48/pc
City
North Bend
Roseburg
Seaside
Springfi eld
Vancouver
Today
Hi/Lo/W
72/50/pc
87/52/s
77/50/pc
82/49/pc
83/53/s
Wed.
Hi/Lo/W
67/51/pc
80/52/pc
64/49/c
76/45/pc
74/52/pc