Elbert Morris Hubbard, Jr., passed away peacefully at his home in Manson, on Dec. 5, 2019, after a long Alzheimer’s journey.
Born April 10, 1935, he was the first of five children of Elbert and Aliene McKnight Hubbard.
Elbert graduated from Manson High School in 1953 then attended Washington State College, earning his bachelors in education. He began his teaching career in Wenatchee at Lincoln and Sunnyslope Elementary.
On August 22, 1959, he and Hannah Cobb were married at St. Andrews Church, Chelan. They made their first home in Lake City, and he began his 29 year career in the Northshore School District in Bothell, teaching at Arrowhead and Lockwood Elementary Schools.
In 1963, at the age of 28, he was appointed principal of brand new Moorlands Elementary in Kenmore where he was to serve for 25 years.
That same year he and Hannah welcomed their first child, Camille Lynne. Elbert completed his thesis and received his Master’s Degree in Education the next spring. Todd Elbert joined the family in 1965, and four years later Kevin Michael.
Elbert served in various leadership positions in the Northshore District and was elected Westside Vice-President of Washington Elementary School Principals’ Association. He served on the YMCA Board and was a Sea Scout Advisor.
Boating and flying were Elbert’s lifelong passions, so in the 1970s he took flying lessons at Kenmore Air Harbor and flew privately for several years.
Retiring, after 31 years in education, he and Hannah packed up their Bothell home and moved to their much loved summer place on Lake Chelan to become apple orchardists.
They have enjoyed hiking in the Cascades, cross-country skiing, restoring classic wooden boats, travelling and spending quality time with their children and grandchildren.
Then began the long Alzheimer’s journey. Elbert, the story teller, became Elbert the listener who asked in amazement, “How do you know so much about the Hubbards?” The always busy organizer learned to let Hannah do jobs he’d always insisted she do with him. The perfectionist allowed someone else to organize him, and gratefully thank them. The high energy person became mellow, but his sense of humor remained.
Four wonderful caregivers gave the greatest gift to Elbert and his family, allowing him to spend his last days at home.
Elbert leaves behind his loving wife of 60 years, Hannah, three children, Camille (&Scott) Mullikin, Todd Hubbard, Kevin (& Jacquie) Hubbard, six grandchildren, Dennis & Josh Chriest, Justin, Brett, Adrienne and Danielle Hubbard. He is survived by brothers Duane & Jon and step-sister Linda; 14 nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert Hubbard, Sr., & Aliene Haynes, step mother Frances Hubbard, sister Sandra McClellan, brother Gary Hubbard, nephew Jeff McClellan and his beloved grandparents, Dr. I. G. and Edna Hubbard.
A memorial will be held Saturday, March 29, 2020 at 1 PM at Lake Chelan Episcopal Church, Chelan. Memorials may be made to St. Andrews Episcopal Church or to the Lake Chelan Habitat for Humanity or the Food Bank.
