Troy D. Oestreich, Sr.

Troy D. Oestreich, Sr., age 89, died Dec. 20, 2011.

He was born Sept. 9, 1922, at Ritzville, to Melven Oestreich and Martha Thiel Oestreich, where he grew up with his family.

He married Mary Ruth Polk in April 1944 at San Jose, Calif. During their life together, they served for 28 years in the US Air Force beginning in World War II. He was a pilot initially flying the Boeing B-17 and later heavy lift/cargo aircraft. He was a survivor of subsequent conflicts in Korea, the Congo and Vietnam.

They lived in places ranging from Hawaii to France and Alabama to Tacoma. In each place they lived, they involved themselves in the local culture with their children. According to the family, throughout his life, he was an avid sportsman reveling in hunting, fishing, and sports of all kinds, particularly golf.

He and his wife returned to Washington in 1968 and took up residence in Ritzville, Port Townsend, Spanaway, and ultimately, Nisqually Valley just north of Olympia.

Their activities together involved farming, Funeral Home Services, golf course management, commercial fishing and volunteer services with libraries and museums in the various towns where they lived.

In Nisqually, they lived a quiet life enjoying the company of each other and watching their family grow.

As avid Seattle sports fans, together they could recite the key statistics of key Seattle Mariners, Seahawks or Supersonics. Televised events were simply not missed.

He is survived by their three children, Troy Jr. of Thurston County, Martha Boshart of Castle Rock and Ann Olson of Ritzville; six grandchildren, Troy Oestreich III, Traci Gilbraith, Todd Oestreich, Rebecca Boshart, Tiffini Sessions and Tina Olson; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded by Mary Ruth Polk, his wife of 62 years, who died in 2006.

You may sign the guestbook and leave condolences at www.FuneralAlternatives.org.

Arrangements are with Funeral Alternatives of Washington-Tumwater.