Duane Vernol Seslar, age 87, of Richland, Washington, passed away on March 5, 2008.

He was born April 8, 1920, at Northport, Nebraska. He attended Bridgeport High School in Nebraska 1934-1937. He married the love of his life, Opal Hutchinson, on November 24, 1938. Later moving to the Northwest, he worked for Bjur Electric Company in Gresham, Oregon, as an electrician, from 1945 to 1954; then he moved to Richland, WA, and worked for General Electric Company, 1954 to 1967; Douglas United Nuclear, Inc., 1967-1971; and Bonneville Power Administration, 1971-1983 and he retired. He was a member of Certified Engineering Technicians since 1963 Charter Member, Member of American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians, Member IEEE since 1959.

His mother wrote, “Duane just naturally took to electricity and was always interested in it and understood what it would do. As a very small child he was a good little baby until it began to get dark and then he would fuss until we would light the lamp, then everything was alright. He broke five lamps trying to pull them down to where he could reach them.”

Duane had a common sense approach to life and instilled this in his daughters. We watched him tackle the responsibilities of head of the family through his strong work ethic. We always knew he was there for us. He leaves us with a lot of memories of his guidance and support. We pray that we in the family will continue the example to our families that Mom and Dad gave to us.

Duane was a member of Richland Assembly of God attending since about 1955 both Duane and Opal’s parents were also Assembly of God.

Duane is survived by his brother Dale, 3 daughters, Wanda Marie Myers Piper, grandsons Herman O’Dell Jr., Duane and Kenneth Myers; Barbara Ann Thomas and Larry Brackenbush, grandsons Brian Thomas, Michael and Linde Thomas, great-granddaughters Genesis, Sarai and Michaela; and Donna LaVerne and Gary White, granddaughters Nichole and Paul Lindberg, great grandchildren Katelyn and Elijah, and Crystal and John Foglesong, great-granddaughter Karissa.

Duane was preceded in death by his father Vernie Oscar Seslar in 1957, his sister Joyce Chappell in 1983, his mother Iola McGrew Seslar in 2001, and his wife Opal Hutchinson Seslar in 2004.

Viewing is planned for 5:00-8:00 PM on Friday, March 7th at Einan’s Funeral Home, Richland, WA. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 8th, also at Einan’s Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.