Dennis Dale Hostvedt

Dennis Dale Hostvedt of Bremerton, died Nov. 24, 2013, in Bremerton. He was born July 3, 1942, to Etta Ruth and Larry Hostvedt and the family resided on Mercer Island. His father was a nationally recognized fine woodworker and taught Dennis the trade, along with a strong work ethic.

At age 15, Dennis built six Penguin sailboats, designed, crafted and raced his soap box derby car to win state championship. At the national competition in Akron, Ohio, he met actors Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Jimmy Stewart, George Montgomery, singer, Diana Shore and Max Baer, a world boxing champion.

Dennis earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Washington where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. After retirement from a 33-year career at Bremerton Naval Shipyard as a Department of Defense engineer project design manager, he opened Denny’s Fine Woodworking, his great passion.

Tomara, Dennis’s Grand Banks boat and boat work, is featured in Ron McClure’s book, “Classic Wooden Motor Yachts.” PassageMaker Magazine described Dennis as a “highly skilled woodworker,” and his boat work as “…flawless -rating an 11 on any 1 to 10 scale.”

He was a 35-year Bremerton Yacht Club and Elk’s Club member. He enjoyed golf and aced a hole-in-one after 60 years.

After a Mercer Island class reunion, a favorite school teacher of theirs reunited Dennis with Ga Neille, his childhood sweetheart. They married in 2003 and shared many adventures. They liked to ski, hike, travel, dance, kayak and create art projects together.

He said, “Family is most important. I’ve had a good life.”

Dennis had great times with many good friends. Dennis is remembered as warm, kind and a quintessential good man.

His family includes his wife, Ga Neille; sons Tom Hostvedt, Tyler (Lisa) Posey, Brent Posey, daughter, Lene’t (Matt) Virgilio; brothers Darrell, Daniel, David and Dwight; sister, Sherri (Freelon) Hunter; 10 grandchildren; his wife’s mother, Jean Crocker and other dear relatives.

Dennis was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, first wife, Linda, and sons, Kevin and Jeff.

At his request, no services are planned. He asked that others “Give the gift of love and forgiveness.”

Dennis gave an anatomical donation to the University of Washington for medical research and corneas to Sight Life for two blind persons.