Harry G Merrick

Harry Merrick, beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away on Nov 13, 2012 at his home in Chattaroy, Washington with loved ones around him. The family feels very proud and lucky to have had him in their lives. He is remembered as being proud of his thoughts, dedicated to his beliefs, loving to all who knew him, considerate to anyone needing help, knowledgeable on his teachings, and intelligent to the ways of the world. He was a dreamer, an achiever, an adventurer, and a unique and quirky character. Harry was born in Bellevue Idaho on June 27, 1930 to George and Doris Merrick. His father was a sheep rancher at the base of Lookout Mountain, where Harry enjoyed many adventures hunting, fishing, swimming in the Little Wood River, and working with his dad on the ranch. Graduating from Bellevue High School as Valedictorian (class of six) Harry went on to further his education at the College of Idaho, and Colorado State. He then joined the Army where he obtained the rank of Sergeant, and led his tank unit in Germany during the Cold War (1951-1953). After returning from military service, Harry enrolled at Eastern Washington University where he met his bride Bernie Sinn at a college dance. Bernie was the senior class President. They fell in love and married on August 12, 1956 with John Merrick (brother) as best man, and Roma Ingram (Sinn) as Maid of Honor. Shortly after being married, Harry and Bernie started their family. Their oldest son Kevin was born in 1958, middle son Eric in 1960, and their youngest son Kent in 1962. Never an idle man, Harry continued his education while raising a young family, obtaining his Masters in Biology, and his Doctorate in Education from Washington State University. Simultaneously, he also built a family cabin at Priest Lake Idaho, enjoyed by many family and friends over the years. Harry and Bernie ended their marriage in early 1990. Harry later began dating Kailynn Glubrecht whom he had known and taught with for over 20 years. In 2012, Harry and Kailynn celebrated 22 wonderful years together, which included many adventures traveling throughout the country and around the world. Harry’s favorite destination was Moscow Russia. Harry and Kailynn enjoyed dancing the jitterbug together, and spending time with family. They danced their final dance together at Harry’s grand-daughter Chelsea’s wedding on November 9, just four days before his departure to Heaven. Known for his adventurous personality, some of Harry’s achievements and adventures in life include: • Helping to start Spokane Falls Community College • Gaining national attention for his earth-sheltered home design • Building numerous outbuildings on his property including a covered bridge, lighthouse, Kid Condo, Octagonal Garage, Big Red Barn, and planting a Patriots Grove of trees. • Receiving two patents for a ladder stand/ladderway and split platform ladder stand • Authoring numerous books including textbooks, family stories, and a novel. • Traveling to all 50 United States. • Traveling to numerous countries throughout the world. • Taking numerous treks to research ancient trees around the country. • White-water rafting down the Green River. • Floating with family down the main fork of the Salmon River. • Hunting the breaks of the Snake River above Clarkston, Washington. • Retracing the steps of the McKenzie expedition through British Columbia. • Taking a horse-back ride into the remote areas of Yellowstone with Uncle Charlie and family. • Driving non-stop from coast to coast to move son Kent and his family back home. • Riding horse-back for a week with son Kevin on a guided deer hunt to the remote Salmon River region at 74 years of age. • Guiding many family trips to the peak of Mt. Roothaan, Hunt Lake, Soldier Creek, and Upper Priest Lake. • Retracing his boyhood trip up the St. Joe River to the Silver Lakes region of Idaho gathering ripple rock which he remembered as a young man. • Exemplified his quirkiness at the county fair by walking around with a praying mantis on his head the entire evening. Harry will always be loved and remembered for his passion for helping others, which often included opening his home for extended periods of time to family members, and lending his time, talents, and resources to whoever needed him. He always made family a priority, and will be greatly missed. His positive outlook on life combined with his love for family, friends, and adventure will be his lasting legacy. We encourage you to share your memories of Harry and his life for others to enjoy and to be treasured by family. He traveled the world, served in the armed forces, and settled in Spokane in 1956 where he met his bride Bernie Sinn and shortly after started a family. Father to Kevin, Eric & Kent Merrick, he taught biology at Spokane Community College, then became the Dean of Instruction and Liberal Arts at Spokane Falls Community College, where he retired after 30 years. Numerous accomplishments in his life include inventor, author, and innovator, with his life touching many in the community. Harry was preceded in death by his parents George & Doris Merrick, and Bernie Merrick. He is survived by his three sons, Kevin (Kelly), Eric (Sue), & Kent (Cindy) Merrick, companion Kialynn Glubrecht, sister Marianne Drussel, brother John Merrick, 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. A celebration of Harry’s life will be held on Saturday, November 17 at 3:00 PM at Riplinger’s Funeral Home, 4305 N. Division. Memorial contributions can be made in Harry’s name to Hospice of Spokane, or Spokane Falls Community College scholarship fund.