Sydney Barney Altena passed away peacefully on February 3, 2014, at his home in Seattle at Aljoya Thornton Place. He was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be fondly remembered by all. Syd and his twin sister Julia were born in Everson, WA, on September 19, 1923, to John and Josephine Altena. He and his siblings were raised on Nooksack area farms where Syd tended the dairy cows. He graduated from Ferndale HS in 1942 and joined the Merchant Marines. Syd worked in the engine room and sailed all over the world during WWII. After the war, he met the love of his life, Maxine, and they married on December 20, 1946. They settled in Richland, WA, where Syd found work at the Hanford Project as a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. He retired in 1989 with 42 years of service and relocated to Seattle to be with family.
Family was the most important thing in Syd's life. He and Maxine raised 3 children in Richland: Gene, Dianna, and Ken. By 1989, all 3 children had homes in the Seattle area and so did Syd and Maxine. The family has stayed very close over the years and has been able to share many special times together. Syd was especially proud of his 4 grandchildren: Melinda, Kevin, David, and Kathryn. Many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren have also helped fill Syd's life with love and special memories. Syd's beautiful wife Maxine passed away in 2006 after 59 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his son Gene and by his siblings: Anna, Sue, Bonnie, Julia, and John.
Syd was a Christian man and he and Maxine were active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Richland and then Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle. Syd spent many years as a Scout Leader in the Blue Mountain Council as both sons reached the rank of Eagle. He was a Wood Badge graduate, a Silver Beaver recipient, and a Vigil Honor member.
Syd loved watching and talking sports. After many years of faithfully following the Richland Bombers, the Seahawks became his favorite team in Seattle. The Hawks have been especially entertaining for Syd, and he was so glad they were able to return to the Super Bowl to get the title they were "robbed" of in 2006, when he was able to attend. All who knew him are not surprised that he held on to life until he had heard of their victory in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Syd is survived by his daughter Dianna, his son Ken, Ken's wife Jennifer, Gene's wife Mary, and his beloved grandchildren. It took a village to keep an eye on Syd over the last several years and much heartfelt thanks goes to all of his health care providers and his many wonderful relatives, friends and neighbors.
Syd and Maxine will be interred at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland at 1:30 pm on Saturday, June 7, 2014. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following the interment at 2 pm at the Event Center at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Published in Tri-City Herald on May 25, 2014
Family was the most important thing in Syd's life. He and Maxine raised 3 children in Richland: Gene, Dianna, and Ken. By 1989, all 3 children had homes in the Seattle area and so did Syd and Maxine. The family has stayed very close over the years and has been able to share many special times together. Syd was especially proud of his 4 grandchildren: Melinda, Kevin, David, and Kathryn. Many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren have also helped fill Syd's life with love and special memories. Syd's beautiful wife Maxine passed away in 2006 after 59 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his son Gene and by his siblings: Anna, Sue, Bonnie, Julia, and John.
Syd was a Christian man and he and Maxine were active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Richland and then Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle. Syd spent many years as a Scout Leader in the Blue Mountain Council as both sons reached the rank of Eagle. He was a Wood Badge graduate, a Silver Beaver recipient, and a Vigil Honor member.
Syd loved watching and talking sports. After many years of faithfully following the Richland Bombers, the Seahawks became his favorite team in Seattle. The Hawks have been especially entertaining for Syd, and he was so glad they were able to return to the Super Bowl to get the title they were "robbed" of in 2006, when he was able to attend. All who knew him are not surprised that he held on to life until he had heard of their victory in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Syd is survived by his daughter Dianna, his son Ken, Ken's wife Jennifer, Gene's wife Mary, and his beloved grandchildren. It took a village to keep an eye on Syd over the last several years and much heartfelt thanks goes to all of his health care providers and his many wonderful relatives, friends and neighbors.
Syd and Maxine will be interred at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland at 1:30 pm on Saturday, June 7, 2014. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following the interment at 2 pm at the Event Center at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Published in Tri-City Herald on May 25, 2014
Sydney Barney Altena passed away peacefully on February 3, 2014, at his home in Seattle at Aljoya Thornton Place. He was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be fondly remembered by all. Syd and his twin sister Julia were born in Everson, WA, on September 19, 1923, to John and Josephine Altena. He and his siblings were raised on Nooksack area farms where Syd tended the dairy cows. He graduated from Ferndale HS in 1942 and joined the Merchant Marines. Syd worked in the engine room and sailed all over the world during WWII. After the war, he met the love of his life, Maxine, and they married on December 20, 1946. They settled in Richland, WA, where Syd found work at the Hanford Project as a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. He retired in 1989 with 42 years of service and relocated to Seattle to be with family.
Family was the most important thing in Syd's life. He and Maxine raised 3 children in Richland: Gene, Dianna, and Ken. By 1989, all 3 children had homes in the Seattle area and so did Syd and Maxine. The family has stayed very close over the years and has been able to share many special times together. Syd was especially proud of his 4 grandchildren: Melinda, Kevin, David, and Kathryn. Many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren have also helped fill Syd's life with love and special memories. Syd's beautiful wife Maxine passed away in 2006 after 59 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his son Gene and by his siblings: Anna, Sue, Bonnie, Julia, and John.
Syd was a Christian man and he and Maxine were active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Richland and then Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle. Syd spent many years as a Scout Leader in the Blue Mountain Council as both sons reached the rank of Eagle. He was a Wood Badge graduate, a Silver Beaver recipient, and a Vigil Honor member.
Syd loved watching and talking sports. After many years of faithfully following the Richland Bombers, the Seahawks became his favorite team in Seattle. The Hawks have been especially entertaining for Syd, and he was so glad they were able to return to the Super Bowl to get the title they were "robbed" of in 2006, when he was able to attend. All who knew him are not surprised that he held on to life until he had heard of their victory in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Syd is survived by his daughter Dianna, his son Ken, Ken's wife Jennifer, Gene's wife Mary, and his beloved grandchildren. It took a village to keep an eye on Syd over the last several years and much heartfelt thanks goes to all of his health care providers and his many wonderful relatives, friends and neighbors.
Syd and Maxine will be interred at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland at 1:30 pm on Saturday, June 7, 2014. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following the interment at 2 pm at the Event Center at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Published in Tri-City Herald on May 25, 2014
Family was the most important thing in Syd's life. He and Maxine raised 3 children in Richland: Gene, Dianna, and Ken. By 1989, all 3 children had homes in the Seattle area and so did Syd and Maxine. The family has stayed very close over the years and has been able to share many special times together. Syd was especially proud of his 4 grandchildren: Melinda, Kevin, David, and Kathryn. Many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren have also helped fill Syd's life with love and special memories. Syd's beautiful wife Maxine passed away in 2006 after 59 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his son Gene and by his siblings: Anna, Sue, Bonnie, Julia, and John.
Syd was a Christian man and he and Maxine were active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Richland and then Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle. Syd spent many years as a Scout Leader in the Blue Mountain Council as both sons reached the rank of Eagle. He was a Wood Badge graduate, a Silver Beaver recipient, and a Vigil Honor member.
Syd loved watching and talking sports. After many years of faithfully following the Richland Bombers, the Seahawks became his favorite team in Seattle. The Hawks have been especially entertaining for Syd, and he was so glad they were able to return to the Super Bowl to get the title they were "robbed" of in 2006, when he was able to attend. All who knew him are not surprised that he held on to life until he had heard of their victory in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Syd is survived by his daughter Dianna, his son Ken, Ken's wife Jennifer, Gene's wife Mary, and his beloved grandchildren. It took a village to keep an eye on Syd over the last several years and much heartfelt thanks goes to all of his health care providers and his many wonderful relatives, friends and neighbors.
Syd and Maxine will be interred at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland at 1:30 pm on Saturday, June 7, 2014. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following the interment at 2 pm at the Event Center at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Published in Tri-City Herald on May 25, 2014
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