Paul Hirst

Paul A. Hirst, 62, died December 6, 2007 at his Ocean Park residence. He was born April 23, 1945 in Richland, Washington. In 1963 he graduated from Richland High School where he met his wife Mary Ann. Paul graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington in 1967. Paul was a talented engineer who was very much respected in his field and made life-long friends wherever he lived and worked. He worked for several different companies over his career, from Honeywell to Heart Technology, which took him to Minneapolis, MN, Auburn, IN, Riverside, CA, Renton, WA, and finally Liberty Lake, WA. He was successful in getting several patents for products ranging from gas valves to arterial medical devices. Paul retired to the Long Beach Peninsula in 2001 and felt he was in a little bit of paradise by living here. He was in awe of the natural beauty surrounding us and felt blessed for the wonderful neighbors and friends he had while living here. He valued all the friendships he had made over the years, including a large group of friends from grade school, junior high and high school he kept in close contact with. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Gordon A. and Martha Hirst, and his brother Gordon E. Hirst. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mary Ann; sons Ken Hirst of Montesano, WA and Matthew (Jennifer) Hirst and new baby grandson, the light of his life, Teagan John-Paul Hirst of Puyallup, WA; step-mother Thelma Hirst of Sequim, WA; and step-siblings Dona (Scott) McLean of Sequim, WA, Trudy (Merlin) Simonson in Germany, Dennis (Cathy) Wheeler in Redmond, WA, Jodi (Mike) Walker in University Place, WA; niece Deborah Hirst in Paris, France; plus many other family members scattered around the county and the world. At Paul's request, no services will be held. Please share a memory and sign his guestbook at www.penttilaschapel.com.