Obituary of Harry H. West

Mr. Harry H. West, 92, Dallas, formerly of Plymouth, passed away on Monday, February 4, 2013. He enjoyed making new friends and participating in the activities while he was a resident at the Hi-Meadows Apartments. He was the son of the late Joseph and Edith R. West and a 1938 graduate of Plymouth High School. Mr. West retired in 1982 from UGI Corp, Hunlock Creek as an operations engineer with 31 years of service. During WWII, he was a first sergeant in the Army AirCorp, Mediterranean Division. As a civic leader, he was past president of the Century Club of UGI; past secretary of Local #262 UWA; past treasurer and coach of Plymouth Little League & Teener League Baseball; former Boy Scout leader of Troop #247; former member of Plymouth #1 Hose Co; former member, deacon, and trustee of Pilgrim Congregational Church in Plymouth. He was a member of American Legion Post #463, VFW Shawnee Post #1425, Blue Lodge #332 F & AM, and a member of the Patriotic Brotherhood of America. Mr. West was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. His grandchildren shared some adventures while traveling in his camper trailer. His "Work hard, Play hard" attitude, inspired them to travel and appreciate the outdoors. His accomplishments include visiting and camping in ALL 50 STATES with the completion of the PA Appalachian Hiking Trail and beyond. He was a member of the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club, and secretary of the KEA Hiking Club. He was instrumental in designing and marking the "Joe Gmiter Hiking Trail" and providing detailed hiking maps for Luzerne County. Each year, he would plan his next exploration. Traveling east to Europe, west to Hawaii, north to Alaska, and south to Panama, were a few of his quests. Former WDAU spokesman, Dave DeCosmo, enjoyed his traveling companionship. He was a member of the Ruggles Methodist Church where he co-sponsored a young man in pursuit of his Eagle Scout badge. He also helped with the Summer Bible School program. Any young man uncertain of his future, he strongly suggested joining the military to develop life skills. Mr. West was active in country and square dancing circles. A hint of his humor, he would tell tales of being the "Harry West" of the WARM radio show. Then he would insist that HE is the real Harry West. He valued his family time and never missed a special occasion from graduations and weddings in CA, CO, FL, and PA to local softball/soccer/field hockey games and piano/dance recitals. He would quiz us with"hully-gully"pocket change games, naming the birds from his porch, and trivia from his Snapple bottle caps. Preceding him in death are his wife of 37 years, the former Jane M. Maggs, his son, Dr. Harry West, P.E. of Houston, TX, and his brother, Thomas West of Sunbury. He is survived by his son, Robert West and his wife, Maureen, Bowie, MD, and daughter, Nancy West Walters and her husband, Gary, Shavertown. Grandchildren, Deborah West, Boulder, CO; Donald West and his wife, May, Taipei, Taiwan; Scott Walters and his wife, Alicia, Wyoming, PA and Susan Walters and her fianc, Josh Reissig, Atlanta, GA. Six great-grandchildren, Coral Hackler, Pearce, AZ; Elena, Jenna, Kate, Lauren and Silas Walters, Wyoming, PA; a sister, Mrs. Jennie Dwyer, Larksville and nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service was held at Grace Community Church, Dallas, PA. Final arrangements were made by Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, corner of routes 29 & 118, Pikes Creek, PA. He had a love of learning and encouraged others to reach their potential. Memorial gifts can be made to the Back Mountain Public Library 96 Huntsville Road Dallas, PA 18612 or the Plymouth Public Library 107 West Main Street Plymouth, PA 18651. A memorial tribute was created by Debby West. www.debbywest.com/pop