Obituary of Alvin G Sechler

Alvin Glenn Sechler passed away at the Washington State Veteran’s Home in Port Orchard of natural causes, just short of his 100th birthday, after a long, healthy life. Born in Polk, Pennsylvania to Pearl and Lester Sechler, Al grew up there, graduating from Franklin High School in 1936. He married Margaret Sarah Reynolds, in 1941, and was recruited into the army in 1942. Stationed in Virginia, and San Diego, where he worked on the blimps, he was transferred to Fort Lewis in 1944. Al worked for McCallum’s auto body shop in Tacoma, and the couple had two daughters; Patricia Anne in 1945, and Sandra Lee in 1947. He managed the body shop at Auto-Haus and became the estimator for the firm until his retirement. Al was a very talented craftsman, remodeling their home in Tacoma, and refurbishing automobiles for his own use. After a divorce in 1964, Al got remarried in 1967 to Shirley Finch and after retirement, they moved to a home in Grapeview, Wa. overlooking Harstine Island. They played golf, belonged to the Elks Club in Tacoma, and raised gorgeous vegetables. He loved giving away tomatoes and zucchini to friends. In 2013, Shirley became very ill and they moved to Alpine Way Continuing Care Community in Shelton. After Shirley’s death in Feb. of that year, Al continued to live at Alpine until June 2018, when he fell and broke his hip. He transferred to the Washington State Veteran’s home and passed away six weeks later. He leaves behind two daughters and sons-in-law; Patricia (Steven) and Sandra(Del), three grandsons and wives: Peter and Laura Steen in Albuquerque), Jeffrey and Liz Steen (in Seattle), and Clifford and Rebecca Williams ( in Fountain Valley, Ca.), and eight great grandchildren; Connor(21), Coda(3) in Seattle, Ashley( 16), Zachary(13), and Nathaniel(11) in Albuquerque, and Ava( 12), Luke(10) and Alana(8) in Fountain Valley. He also has a niece(Lois) and nephew(Jim) who live back east. A celebration of life will be organized at a later date when the family can be together.