Robert Eugene Haggerty of Aberdeen passed away Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Gene was 58. He was born on Oct. 7, 1960, in San Diego, California, to parents Robert Haggerty and Caryls Haggerty. After graduating Oakville High School in 1978, he joined the Army National Guard. He proudly served in the guards from 1978-1985, honoring his full service contract. Among re-enlisting, he had met his wife, and decided to follow the family life. Throughout his years in the guard, Gene learned of commitment and comradery. His service years may have seemed short lengthed, but the military will always be a big part of his life.
In 1978, Gene began employment in the maintenance department of Grays Harbor Community Hospital. Among his first couple years at the hospital, he met his wife, Kelly. They would later wed on Aug. 15, 1987, at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. Gene had worked at the hospital for 40 years, and anytime someone needed something done they would call on Gene to do it. Hospital employees would regularly express to his family that Gene was their “go to guy because they could always count on him and he knew the hospital like the back of his hand.”
Gene’s interests include hunting, sturgeon fishing off his boat on the Chehalis River, and driving the logging roads around the county. He enjoyed working on his vehicles, and taking apart any machine or gadget just to learn its workings and how to put it back together. He enjoyed military movies and TV shows, war documentaries, gun magazines and books. His most favorite activities included military paraphernalia and shooting. He enjoyed military issue guns, shotguns, hand guns, rifles, and most guns of any kind. He mostly target shot, but he loved to shoot tannerite and fruit to “watch it blow.” A few times he shot a refrigerator, bowling ball, and other things of that nature. He loved driving out Wishkah with friends and family to enjoy a day of shooting and attended any gun show he could. Gene was an active member of the Grays Harbor Rifle and Pistol club, as well as the National Rifle Association.
Gene will be remembered by his strong love and loyalty for his family and the guard Along with his one of a kind hair, famous mustache, and adorable whistle laugh. His nicknames of “Harpo” and “Gene The Machine” will continue to bring happy memories to his children and their friends.
Gene is survived by his wife of 31 years, Kelly; daughters Kelsie Stensgard and Magen Haggerty of Aberdeen; son-in-law and future son-in-law, Douglas Stensgard and Ryan Elway; brothers Patrick “Alex” Haggerty of Hoquiam, Forrest Mizener of Lancaster, California; sister Kathleen Haggerty of Aberdeen; granddaughter Harlow Stensgard and step-father Joe Devine of Centralia. Gene has been reunited with his mother Caryls Haggerty Devine, father Robert Haggerty and Stepmother Donna Haggerty.
A celebration of Gene’s life with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, in the chapel of Harrison Family Mortuary, 311 W. Market Street, Aberdeen. A reception will follow until 3 p.m. in the cafeteria of Grays Harbor Community Hospital East Campus, 1006 North H Street, Aberdeen. Anyone that knows Gene are welcome to attend both service and reception. We know how loved Gene is and we welcome all to share with us.
To share memories or express condolences please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Harrison Family Mortuary is honored to assist the family.
