Harold Frank Schab, of Wenatchee, WA, passed away at Blossom Valley Assisted Living on Saturday, January 4, 2014, at the age of 90.

He was born October 1, 1923, in Aumsville, OR to Russian German immigrants, Andrew and Catherine (Burghart) Schab.

He moved with his parents and ten siblings to the Yakima Valley in 1932. After the death of his mother in 1933, he had to take on the responsibilities of an adult, becoming the family cook at the age of nine. This experience led to a very strong work ethic that he passed down to his children. His family moved to a dairy ranch near Benton City, where he continued working on the land and in the kitchen. He moved to Yakima in the mid-1940's. Harold married Ruby Jean Anderson in Yakima on March 23, 1946. He was employed as an ironworker on the Hanford Project and at McNary and The Dalles dams.

In 1956, he moved his young family to Seattle for safer employment at Lonestar Cement Co. He and Ruby moved to their Camano Island property after retiring in 1986. They spent countless hours clearing the land for their retirement home. Harold 's favorite pastimes were working in the yard (he always had a beautifully landscaped yard) and working on his cars. Over his lifetime, he owned at least 30 cars, including vintage automobiles. He loved to "show" his old cars and took great pride in them. For nearly 20 years, he and Ruby wintered at the Caravan Oasis RV Park in Yuma, AZ, where he loved the feel of the warm sun on his bare chest. Harold and Ruby moved to Wenatchee in 2004. He had a wonderful sense of humor and laughed heartily at a good joke. He loved country music, camping, flowers and Camano Island, but his greatest love was for his family.

Harold is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Ruby; his children, Dee (Jim) Moody of East Wenatchee, Linda Askelson of Lynnwood and Ken Schab of East Wenatchee; granddaughters, Tiffany (Corey) Wisner of Bothell, Monika Askelson of Lynnwood, Kristen (Bud) Poe of Portland, OR, Jessica (Eric) Dinwiddie of Arlington and Kaitlyn (Chris) Almeida of DuPont; great-grandchildren, Jacob and Sarah Wisner, Easton and Zaiden Dinwiddie, Lucas and Addison Almeida and Olympia Poe; siblings, Florence (Lloyd) Walker of Yakima, Bud (Devon) Schab of Zillah, Lorraine Erickson of Yakima, John (Cathy) Schab of Prosser, Margaret Schab of Spangle, Tony (Kay) Schab of Spokane, Ed (Bev) Schab of Prosser, and Andrea Schab of Spangle; sister-in-law, Lenora Schab of Yakima; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Catherine Schab; brothers, Clarence, Ramey, Clem, Wally, Bob, Curt, Richard and Don; his sister, Marie Remund; and stepmother, Jennie Schab.

He was loved by many and we are blessed to have had him in our lives for so many years. A Family Celebration to honor his life will be held at a later date under the warmth of the sun.

Wenatchee World, January 9, 2014