Hanford Thayer, PE, 92, passed away on Jan. 25, 2002, at his home on Whidbey Island. Hanford was born Sept. 12, 1909, to Nap Bon and Ida Mae (Purchase) Thayer of Maple Island, Washington County, Minn. He was preceded in death by his close brother Marshall Thayer in 1995. (1911-1995)

He is survived by four children, all in Washington, Roger Thayer of Seattle, Diane Hill of Camano Island, Alden Bon Thayer of Whidbey Island, and Shirley Thayer of Tonasket; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Mr. Thayer resided for most of his life in Seattle, raising his family with his wife, Lois. After Seattle, he moved to the quiet countryside of Whidbey Island, where he felt at home.

He graduated after earning his way with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Iowa State College in 1935. Hanford became a prominent and well-known Seattle engineer and consultant who was proud of his more than 39 years of government service in the departments of Interior, Commerce and Defense.

He received a Gold Medal for Distinguished Service from the American Society of Military Engineers, where he became regional vice president. He was president of the American Society of Civil Engineers and was chairman of the Puget Sound Engineering Council. He was a member of the Knights of St. Patrick Honor Engineering Society and National Society of the Scabbard and Blade.

He retired as chief of the Architect-Engineering Section of the Seattle District, Army Corps of Engineers 1942-74. He became manager of business development with Tudor Engineering Co. and was assistant vice president of Quinton-Budlong Co.

He enjoyed his friends at South Whidbey Kiwanis and volunteered many hours to the South Whidbey Community Center. He was also a member on the Seattle Municipal League and Newcomer Society.

Hanford received notable recognition for his work on planning, design and environmental protective measures on the Manhattan Project, Hanford Engineer Works, Richland (1943-46).

He liked rifle marksmanship, fencing and family history. Hanford found a magic in sharing his adventures from being a boy working on a farm in Iowa to discussions of the vast variety of engineering projects he enjoyed working on.

He may be done with his works for man, but his love lives on with all who knew him. He had a wonderful spirit for life that touched so very many and it is that wonderful spirit that we now hold. If something was made strong, he would call it "skookum" and smile.

In place of services, memories, thoughts and prayers will be with us to remember him by. (http://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/)