Verne L. Lindberg
November 6, 1938 - August 9, 2021
Our “Papa” Husband, Father, Uncle and a friend to many, was reunited with his parents and sister Marjorie on Monday August 9, 2021. He lost his heroic battle to a combined warfront of Parkinson’s, Cancer and finally Covid. He continued to show his courage in these life’s challenges with a smile and a healthy sense of humor. He was born in Port Angeles, Washington November 6, 1938 to Mabel (Boone) and Lloyd Lindberg, growing up in the house his dad built, and on the property inherited from his Grandfather Boone (If you can find it, you can have it).
He graduated from Port Angeles High School in 1956, as a scholar and all-around sports athlete. He continued his education attending the University of Washington graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering. During his collegiate days at the UW he enjoyed his Fraternal brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha and competing in swimming and diving. During his summer breaks he worked as a full time assistant engineer at the Port Angeles pulp and paper mill. He even designed a lumber type boat, still seen in the harbor of Port Angeles – “See that Ugly Boat – I designed it.”
After Graduation his first job in Seattle was with Western Gear, and his first major job was designing a fix for the rotary gear drive for the Seattle Space Needle and in time for the opening of the 1962 World’s Fair. Recently he was able to visit and see the newest gears with the new glass floor, and discovering a new fear of heights. During his time with Western Gear he earned his credits for his professional license. He was then recruited by Sumner Iron Works in Everett (aka Black Clawson, and now Acrowood Corp., a leading international forest products machinery company) traveling the world as a designer and trouble shooter, later becoming a key figure in R&D.
Verne was always searching for new work challenges and fascinated by all the various fields found in manufacturing and construction. Also, in foundry and fiber glass management & design, excelling in solving tough problems. He finally settled down as a consulting engineer with a new company Diversified Design, Inc. in early 1967. As one of the initial employees, he was the chief engineer & professional engineer of record, he retained that position until his recent retirement. Verne was still wanting to work, continuing as a consultant with a few personnel clients. Verne had many personal achievements including eight patents and awards in various industries. Through his work he traveled all of North America (U.S., Canada & Alaska) and Hawaii, internationally he worked on projects in Mexico, Singapore, Austria & New Zealand. In his later career years he also did major industrial loss appraisals for major insurance companies, primarily damages from storms, tornados, fire and earthquakes across the North American continent.
Verne remained an avid athlete throughout his life. Known to some as a “vicious” handball and squash player. His love for the great outdoors, included hunting, fishing, shooting, waterskiing and snow skiing well into his 70’s. Verne was a Boy Scout master extraordinaire, beginning in Montlake with sons Craig and Jay, finishing up with his son Seth in Everett, embarking on big hikes both in the Olympic and Cascade mountains, honing snow survival skills and gun safety.
His main joy was his family which includes his wife Karol (Bunney) of 42 years, his children Craig (Kish), Jay (Diane), Aaron (Shane) Olson, and Seth (Lillian), his Grandchildren, Caitlin, Ali, Molly, Kane, Jakob and Gage and Great-Grandson Odin. He is also survived by his in laws Robert and Patricia Bunney, Craig (Debbie), Nieces Adrienne and Melissa (Joel) and his Grandnieces Olivia, Ava, Lucy and Harper and many cousins and their respective families.
FUNERAL INFORMATION
Services will be held at 2:00 PM on July 8, 2023, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 9320 Meadow Way, Everett WA 98208