Henry Hellenkamp Jr.

Obituary Henry (Hank) Hellenkamp, 90, died peacefully at his home on September 30, 2018, of congestive heart failure. Hank left behind five sons, Joel (Sherry), Greg (Christine), Terry (Amy), Chris (Donella) and Mark, 14 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. His sister, Ellen Evoy, also of Tacoma, passed away just three weeks before him. Hank was born in Tacoma, Washington on May 27, 1928, to Henry and Elfrieda Hellenkamp. He attended Holy Rosary Grade School and Bellarmine High School, where he made many friendships that lasted his whole life. Hank attended Seattle University, majoring in Engineering, and graduated in 1952. After a short stint in the army, he worked as an engineer his entire career. He took great pride in his airplane design work for Boeing, where he spent most of his working life. Hank also took great pride in his family. After college, Hank met Patricia Strain, who had recently moved to Tacoma from Dunkerton, Iowa. They were married in 1955. Hank and Pat Hellenkamp were married for 51 years until Pat passed away from pulmonary fibrosis in 2006. Throughout their lives together, they were very involved with raising their five sons and later their grandchildren. They were also very involved in music in countless singing groups and church choirs, usually directed by Pat, and they explored the northwest and beyond with their biking groups and frequent trips to the family mountain cabin. In later years, they made regular trips to California and often spent winters in Palm Springs or San Diego. More recently, Hank spent several winters in San Diego near two of his sons. Hank was active in his Catholic church, and enjoyed meeting up with his friends from high school for regular lunches. He loved spending time on his most impressive garden, and may have bragged about his tomatoes on occasion. Hank also enjoyed watching soccer, whether it was his own sons or grandchildren playing, or the Sounders. In addition to his devotion to family, Hank was known for his friendly and engaging demeanor, unshakable ethics and good advice. He always had a good word to say, and would never pass up the chance to visit family and friends. He will truly be missed by many. A Funeral Mass for Hank will be celebrated on October 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Tacoma. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association (https://donatenow.heart.org/) or Food Connection (www.foodconnection.org). Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home