Herb Waits

Published 12:22 am Saturday, August 9, 2014

Sept. 15, 1922 – July 22, 2014

Herbert ‘Herb’ W. Waits, Jr., of LaPine, OR passed away on July 22, 2014. He was 91 years old. Known for his quick wit, big heart and sense of humor, he was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Herb was born in Klamath Falls, OR as a third generation Waits to Herbert and Francis (Eaton) Waits. He graduated from Henley High School in 1941. In 1942, Herb joined the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters. He worked as a steamfitter in Redding, CA until he went into training as a U.S. Army Combat Engineers battalion, the Army’s construction counterpart of the Navy’s Seabees. He was dispatched to Reims, France, the Philippines and Osaka, Japan during WWII. He stayed in the Army Reserve after the war and was called to active duty and sent to Port Townsend, WA to repair military vessels during the Korean War. When he was honorably discharged, he was wearing the five stripes of a technical sergeant. Herb succeeded his father as business manager of Local 191 in 1952. He was on the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council and President of the Central Labor Council. He was also President of the Oregon State Pipe Trades Association. He retired in 1986 and moved to LaPine, OR. In 2006, Herb was inducted into Oregon Labor Hall of Fame.

Herb was a member of the LaPine Moose Lodge, LaPine American Legion, Life member of the Klamath Falls Elks Lodge and Associate member of the Bend Elks Lodge. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, gardening and fixing things.

Herb had two half sisters and two brothers who preceded him in death. He is survived by his sons, Ron (Michelle) Waits, Bill (Mary) Waits and Bob (Karol) Waits; 5 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and 5 nieces.

Graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 29th at Klamath Memorial Park in Klamath Falls, OR. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at a later date at the LaPine Moose Lodge. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Moose Charities c/o LaPine Lodge #2093, PO Box 776, LaPine, OR 97739, in honor of Herb Waits.

Herb Waits