“I lived life my way — no regrets!”
Martin “Skip” Ekman, 76, of Aberdeen, Washington passed away on Oct. 19, 2022.
Born April 4, 1946, in Seattle, Washington, Skip was the eldest child of Chester and Eunice Ekman. He was raised on the banks of the Hoquiam River, where he enjoyed taking off in his canoe for weekend adventures with his dog Rusty and peeling bark off cascara trees for extra money. He loved to hunt and fish, providing meat for his family, learning outdoor skills in Boy Scouts, and was proud to share a birthday with his sister Linda.
In school, Skip played basketball, baseball and track, was a member of the high school swim team, and president of the Boys Club. He spent one summer working on his uncle’s gold mine in Alaska and many summers as a lifeguard. He was a proud Grizzly and graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1964.
Upon graduation, Skip enlisted in the United States Navy where he served on the amphibious force flagship USS Mount McKinley as an Electricians Mate Third Class, during the Vietnam War.
In 1969, Skip began work as an electrician. He was a founding member of the Cat House CB club, known as “Kayaker” and running Channel 21 while cruising around in his Jeep. He met and married Linnea Anderson in 1980. Together they enjoyed clam digging, camping, Harley Davidsons, day trips around the Pacific Northwest and raising their daughters. He was a long-time member of the IBEW 76 and served on the Electricians Board. There wasn’t a trade he couldn’t do — carpentry, plumbing, masonry, welding — he did it all. He was always willing to lend his expertise and a helping hand.
He retired as a Master Electrician in 2005. Following retirement, Skip joined the Grays Harbor chapter of ABATE holding several officer positions and regularly attending motorcycle events throughout the western states. He was also a member of the Hoquiam VFW.
Skip is survived by his wife Linnea Ekman, daughters Martie (Doug) Emery and Kristie (Jake) Hutchinson, grandsons: Trent and Issaq Ekman and Garret and Chase Hutchinson, granddaughter Kenzie Hutchinson, great-grandson Az’eriah Mason, sisters Linda Ekman Simmons (Eldon) and Judy Ekman (John Schmidt), brother Arn (Alice) Ekman, two nephews, three nieces, daughter Erika Ekman, and a loving group of extended family members.
A celebration of Skip’s life will be held at the Hoquiam VFW on Saturday Nov. 5, 2022 at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in Skip’s name.
