Dennis Lee Haven

Dennis Lee Haven was born October 13, 1937 in Bremerton, Washington. His father, Howard Lee Haven, was one of the 12 founding members of the Bremerton Yacht Club. Dennis grew up on the floats, boats, and dinghies of the yacht club, learning a love for the water that would stay with him for a lifetime. He attended Bremerton High School, playing several instruments in band and participating in their activities under a dedicated band teacher.

Within days of leaving high school, he began living and working on the water in various capacities. He became First Mate on the Susan H, a tugboat in the Halverson fleet of tugs out of Ketchikan, Alaska. Some of his fondest memories involved plying the waters of southeast Alaska, towing logs and the meeting the interesting people of the north. He loved flying in Alaska as well, a perk of working in the control tower of Ellis Airlines in Ketchikan. For a time, he also owned and ran his own roller-skating rink there. He served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves, training at Ft. Bragg, California, and was then assigned to the Alaskan Command (under the U.S. Northern Command). He was entrusted with the transportation, care, and training of Native Alaskans who had enlisted to serve the Army in the northern posts.

After he returned to Bremerton, he married, had three children, and began working as a credit manager, first for a jeweler and later for the Bremerton Sun newspaper. After a divorce and remarrying, he became an intrapreneur. His accomplishments included establishing ALBOE manufacturing, which built the Alpine Series camping trailer, an A-shaped folding trailer. He continued his interest in manufacturing and launched Manufactured Homes Magazine as well as publishing Automotive Marketplace. He was instrumental in forming and publishing Writers’ Open Forum which became Writers’ International Forum.

After retiring, he and his wife Sandra moved to Sequim, Washington. They had always enjoyed recreational vehicles and began to volunteer for Washington State Parks. They spent several years as full-time RV’ers, volunteering as administrative hosts at Fort Worden and Fort Flagler State Parks. Dennis provided tours for visitors, explaining the history of the area. He also escorted prospective renters, showing them the various venues for weddings, reunions, and other events at Fort Worden. He volunteered at the fort’s Commanding Officers Quarters Museum and for the Coast Artillery Museum. With his knowledge of the park, he created the Fort Worden Guest Guide, photographing and writing and formatting a book that was available in all the rental units to show off the facilities that the park has to offer. This was a highlight in his life as he enjoyed meeting and sharing experiences with both guests and the many other volunteers while making use of his publishing and promotional abilities for the state parks. He was awarded “Special Mention” by the parks system in 2009 for those efforts.

As a member of the Escapees RV club, he then settled in Evergreen Coho SKP Park in Chimacum, Washington. There he re-established a marketing committee to promote the club’s park and developed a viable waiting list of potential leaseholders. He remained an active member of the park until his passing on January 7, 2022.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years Sandra; his daughter Edythann (Craig) Sims; his granddaughters, Taylor (Anthony) Hodges and Sydney (Tyler) Uebelhoer; and great-grandson Lincoln Uebelhoer.

He will be missed and loved and held forever in the hearts of his family and friends.

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