Harold Merrill

Harold (Hal) Leon Merrill was born Dec. 25, 1930, in Portland to Lorin Merrill and Ruth Knapp. His mother died in 1936. Hal lived with his maternal grandparents, Gertrude and E.J. Knapp, in Albany. Hal attended school in Albany and graduated from Albany High School in 1948. In August of that same year, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and was stationed at Tongue Point, Astoria, and San Diego, Calif. Hal was an Electrician’s Mate, 3rd Class, and a First Baseman while in the military. On Dec. 31, 1951, Hal married Violet (Vikie) F. Lassle in Salem. They had their first son, Martin D., in Corona, Calif. Hal was honorably discharged from the Navy in July 1953, and returned to Salem with his wife and baby boy. He went to work for U.S. National Bank of Oregon on Dec. 16, 1953. Hal was a teller at the Ladd and Bush branch in Salem ,and entered the branch operations training program in 1955. That same year, Hal and Vikie welcomed their second son, Daniel J. Hal and Vikie moved to Portland in 1955, and on to Coos Bay in 1957, where Hal was the Operations Officer. Daughter Laura R. was born in Coos Bay. March of 1962, the family moved to Eugene, where Hal was the Operations Manager of the Eugene Main Branch. He was a member of the National Office Management Association and the National Association of Bank Auditors and Controllers. In 1971, he was named Assistant Vice President and Regional Operations and Personnel Manager of the Southern Oregon region. The family lived in Eugene for nearly 20 years, and it was here that Hal earned his nickname, “Hammerin’ Hal,” while playing basketball with his sons’ friends. Always the athlete, Hal played in city softball leagues. July 1980, Hal was appointed Vice President and Manager of the Corvallis Branch of U.S. National Bank. In Corvallis, Hal was on the board of the Corvallis Chamber of Commerce and the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, and was a member of the Corvallis Rotary Club. He was preceded in death by Vikie, his wife of 36 years, in 1988. Hal married Susan Adams on Jan. 28, 1989. He retired from U.S. National Bank on Jan. 1, 1993, after nearly 40 years. A longtime athlete and sports fan, as well as a golf enthusiast, he had seven holes-in-one in his lifetime! Hal’s other loves were travel, spending time with his family, playing poker at the club, and his kitty, Pepito. Often described as a gentle and kind man, Hal will be dearly missed by family and friends alike. Hal is survived by his wife, Susan Merrill; son Dan Merrill; son and daughter-in-law Marty and Debbie Merrill; daughter and son-in-law Aisha Laura and Nathan Beck; and stepchildren Barry, Christiana and Michael Adams and their children. By Hal’s request, there will be no formal service. Hal once gave the advice “To show someone you love them, give them your time.” In honor of Hal, please spend some time with your loved ones. Memorial contributions can be made in Hal’s name to Benton Hospice Service in care of McHenry Funeral Home.

Tributes

Harold Merrill

December 25, 1930 - January 16, 2012