The beauty of living to the age of 102 is that you make many colorful memories. The downside is that the characters in those memories have mostly moved on. But they are waiting for you…

In the early morning hours of Thursday, March 22, 2018, Joseph Randolph Hinch slipped quietly away to be with his ancestors. Joe was born to Edward Hinch and Mary Audrey Young on January 6, 1916, in the apartment over his father’s real estate office at 4th and F Streets in Eureka. A third generation Humboldt County resident, he attended school in Eureka and graduated from Eureka High School in June 1933.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Alice L. Crawford (46 years), his wife Audrey Call (28 years) and his sister, Jesse Maino.

Over the years, Joe had many jobs, the first being at the Western Auto Supply in Eureka, while still in school. He joined the US Navy in 1936, first sent to Norfolk, Virginia, learning ‘metal trades’ and later serving on the repair ship USS Medusa. He sailed to many ports of call, including Jamaica and Guantanamo Bay. He was certified as an underwater welder, and had many stories about his exploits. In a 1937 letter to his life-long friend Jack Wallace, Joe recounts buying a 1931 Chevrolet Sport Sedan for $195 ($70 down and 12 payments of $12.92, included interest and insurance!) He and some friends drove it from Norfolk to his new billet in San Diego.

Honorably discharged as a Metalsmith 2nd class in 1940, Joe returned to Humboldt County, where he worked for Hammond Lumber Company as a welder and machinist. He not-so-fondly remembered taking the Madeket across the bay to work, in all sorts of Humboldt weather.

Before WWII started, Joe traveled to the Bay area to work in the shipyard at Mare Island. He was the Lead Welder there and subsequently was sent to Hunters Point, where he opened the welding department.

Joe met and married Alice L. Crawford in Berkeley California in 1942. They lived there until the end of the war, when he brought his bride home to Eureka. He worked for the Humboldt County Ag Department for several years, where he learned of a ranch for sale on Ryan Slough. He moved his young family there in 1951, falling into the farming life. We raised beef cattle, sheep, and even had a dairy. We all learned to drive on the John Deere tractor…

In the early ‘60s, Joe’s entrepreneurial itch took flight and he and Alice opened a business called The Spud Shed, providing precut potatoes and other produce to local restaurants. As it happened, a restaurant on his route was for sale, and they were impelled to buy it. While operating the Home Café in Ferndale, Joe and Alice caught the eye of Viola McBride, who offered them the lease on the Victorian Village Inn. They signed that lease and spent several years as proprietors there. Best clam chowder…EVER.

Joe met and married Audrey Call in 1989. They spent many happy years traveling the US in their RV, staying at their timeshare in Mexico, and visiting many European and South American countries. He became very close to Audrey’s children, Karl Larsen (Ann), Tom Larsen, Erik Larsen (Carol) and Mari Wilson (Craig), and he was ‘Papa Joe’ to her grandchildren, Kristoffer , Keri and Derik Larsen, Rikki Cortopassi, Brittany Dalton, Bryce Wilson, Colleen Vechetti, Erin Neilsen, and several great grandchildren. He became ‘Norwegian by Marriage’ and joined the Sons of Norway and Immanuel Lutheran Church.

At home with both a welding torch and a sauté pan, Joe was a craftsman in whatever calling he answered. He will be missed for his ‘good stories’, his infectious smile and his killer Martini!

Joe was a member of Humboldt Lodge #79 F&AM, Scottish Rite, Aahmes Shrine, Tip Club, Elks Lodge, and spent many years in the Coast Guard Auxillary. He was a former member of Eureka Kiwanis, Rotary of Ferndale, Past President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and a member of Bigfoot Good Sam RV Club

He is survived by his brother, Fred Kay, and daughters Carole Polasek (Darrel), Susan ‘Suzi’ Bailey (John), and Lynn Dorn (Richard). Seven grandchildren: Barb Polasek, Martin Polasek, Elaine Ebbert (Dave), Jennifer Collins (Matthew), Stephanie Chapman (Jeff), Katie Dorn, and Mackenzie Dorn. Eleven great grandchildren: Cody (Jenna) & Kyle Killingsworth, Morgan & Dillon Polasek, Ryan & Alli Seidel, Keifer Potts (Kathryn), Bailey Murphy (James), Aydan Potts, and Jack & John Chapman. Great-great grandchildren: Preston, Alanah, Kanyn, Kyana, and Koby Killingsworth, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff(s) at Timber Ridge, Eureka, Hospice of Humboldt, and Resolution Care. Special thanks to Katie Dorn, RN (!!) who took her Papa on many outings, including an exceptional Madaket Bay Cruise. (There was sunshine…he liked it)

Graveside services will be private with a Celebration of Life from 11:30 to 2 pm, at the Eureka Elks Lodge, 445 Herrick Avenue, on Sunday, May 6, 2018. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s name would be welcomed at Hospice of Humboldt and the Shrine Hospitals for Children.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Joe Hinch’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.