Orville L. Tobiason
Published January 16, 2006
Major General Orville L. Tobiason (Toby) passed away on Jan. 16 at his home on Whidbey Island.
Born on Nov. 2, 1920 in Alexandria, Minn., he moved to Seattle in 1923 and was a graduate of Broadway High in 1938.
His 42 years of military service began in 1937 with the Washington National Guard.
He married his wife Pat in 1942 and they spent the last 64 years together raising three children (Tom, Jo and Chris) and enjoying seven grandchildren.
He survived in three wars and earned the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Air Medal, Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal. He retired in 1979 as commander of White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
As a resident of Whidbey, he was a member of the Useless Bay Country Club, the Rod and Gun Club, the Elks, the American Legion and the Shrine Club.
He was an avid sportsman, from hunting pheasant in New Mexico to trolling for salmon on his boat in the Sound. He enjoyed his friends on the golf course, at the poker table and at the Rod and Gun Club – always with a cigar in his mouth.
A remembrance celebration will be held at the Useless Bay Country Club at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your local Veteran’s Administration.