John Victor Asplund: 1927-2020

John Victor Asplund passed away September 12, 2020 in Chehalis, Wash., after living a fulfilling 93 years. John was born on January 30, 1927 in Coos Bay (Marshfield), Ore. John is survived by his wife of 71 years, Catherine (Raffin) Asplund and his three daughters, Christine (Chris) Langford of Chehalis, Wash., Mary (Morry) Stafford of University Place, Wash., and Susan (Mark) Kershisnik of Loveland, Colo.; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, John Walter Asplund and Hazel Marie (Christensen) Asplund and his sister, Charlotte (Asplund) Palmateer.

After graduating from Marshfield High School, John served with the Navy as a Seaman 1st Class (signalman) during the closing days of World War II. After the war, John attended Oregon State (College) University where he met his wife Catherine (Raffin) Asplund. They married in St. Helens, Ore., in 1949.

After graduation, John began his career in Civil Engineering. John worked on many projects for Pacific Power and Light Company, including serving as Project Engineer for the Centralia Power Plant (Centralia, WA) and Jim Bridger Power Plant (Rock Springs, Wyo). Pacific Power and Light honored John by petitioning and receiving designation of John Asplund Creek in the State of Wyoming.

In his early years, John worked logging as a summer job and always sought experiences in nature. He loved spending time at the family cabin on 10 Mile Lake, hiking, fishing, and swimming with friends.

John, with his wife and daughters, explored out of the way places in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain states. He loved adventure and would take the family on roads a car was never meant to travel, to places such as 23 Skidoo, telling them about the adventure as it was happening. In his mid-80’s John hiked quite a bit, with Silver Star in Southern Washington State as a hike that should not be missed. The family recalls years spent at their property on Clear Lake and extending their travels to lands near Medford, Ore,, Green River, Rock Springs and Sheridan, Wyo.

After retirement, John and Catherine loved visiting family and began overseas adventures to places of historical interest as their destinations: Italy, Turkey, Greece, Malta, Moscow, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, and sailing around Cape Horn with stops along the way in South America.

John was an avid sailor enjoying time spent on local lakes and the Puget Sound. He had many hobbies through the years. He was a ham radio operator, loved turning wood, building model ships, photography and was an avid reader and life-long learner.

John taught his family many lessons by example: the value of dedication, doing your best at anything you undertake, and to adopt a life of constant learning. He was gracious and welcoming, and possessed a wonderful sense of humor.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the wonderful and loving care John received from the staff at Woodland Village and Assured Home Health.

A family memorial is planned for a later date.