Duane Penttila

Duane Penttila, 57, died August 27, 2007 in Seattle of natural causes. The son of Richard and Patricia (Anderson) Penttila, he was born May 19, 1950 in Ilwaco. He grew up in Naselle where he graduated from Naselle High School in 1968. Following high school Duane attended the University of Washington for two years. He then returned to Naselle where he worked in the woods for Valley 8 Logging. Returning to Seattle he completed his education at UW, earning a degree in landscape architecture. Moving to Longview he worked 4 years for the City of Longview Parks Department and also operated his own landscaping business. In 1980 he returned to Seattle where he was employed since by the City of Seattle Parks Department. Duane held several management positions, most recently as manager of the horticulture and forestry department. He was a certified landscape architect. During the Vietnam Conflict Duane served his country as a member of the US Army Reserves. Duane and Ruth Duckering were married March 26, 1976 in Seattle. She survives. Duane was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Blessed with a friendly, outgoing personality, he made friends easily and was everyone's best friend. He never forgot his roots in Naselle and went out of his way to keep in touch with family and friends there. Duane enjoyed salmon fishing, golfing, and was a gourmet cook. Besides his wife, Duane is survived by his son Ryan Penttila of Renton; granddaughter Mele Penttila; mother Patricia Penttila of Naselle; brother Charles "Dean" Penttila of Sedro Wooley, WA; sister Darlene Ammer of Deep River, WA; and numerous other members of his extended family. His father died in 1991. Funeral service will be held Saturday, September 1, 2007, 2 PM at Naselle Lutheran Church. Graveside service follows at Salmon Creek Cemetery, Naselle. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 728 134th St. SW, #101, Everett, WA 98204. The guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com. Arrangements are by Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach.