It is with broken hearts we announce Peter H. Masten, Jr., a respected Hoopa Elder, passed peacefully at his home in Hoopa on February 6, 2025 with his family by his side.

Peter was born in Hoopa on August 11, 1936 to Peter H. Masten Sr. and Grace Marshall Masten. He was the second of six children and the only boy. He attended both Hoopa Elementary and Hoopa High school graduating in 1954. In 1959 he joined the US Army and was stationed in a missile battalion at Fort Benning, Georgia. It was while serving he met his soon to be wife Mary Edith House whom he would marry in 1961. In 1962 Pete returned to Hoopa with his new wife to begin a new chapter in their lives.

Upon returning from Georgia, Peter went to work at the Humboldt Fir sawmill in Hoopa as a lift truck operator. It was at this time he began a life long commitment to serving the Hoopa people in different capacities. In 1967 Peter was elected to the Tribal Council representing the Norton Field District and continued serving in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972. During this time he was a tireless advocate for a program to establish Indian Health Aides and the first Tribal Dental Clinic. The story is that he located and got the approval from the Council to retrieve a donated dental chair, and he hauled it back to Hoopa himself.

Peter was elected Tribal Chairman in 1973 and served until 1978. During his time in office the Council members worked well together for the betterment of the tribe, and Pete worked tirelessly with folks like Peter Jackson, Darrel Hostler, Joe Moon, Margaret Powell, Herman Sherman, Mary Ann and Maude McCovey, and others, to secure Tribal Economic Development Designation which opened the path to apply for the Neighborhood Facilites Building, Tribal Shopping Center and Tswenaldin Inn, in addition to securing Buildings owned by the BIA and working with Dr. Ricklefs for what is now the K’ima:w Medical Center. Hoopa instituted the Tribal Credit Program, a Burial Fund, and many other things. So much progress took place during those years and at that time the Hoopa Tribe was at the forefront and known as one of the most, if not the most, progressive tribes in the nation.

Later he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Hoopa Heath Association. In recognizing Peter’s achievements K’ima:w also stated that he was a Tribal Health Advisory Committee Member. He was also appointed by the California Tribal Chairman’s Association Board to assist in the development of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act regulations and was our representative in the Tribal Self Governance Initiative/Compact negotiations with Indian Health Sevice. He also served on K’ima:w’s board of Directors for many years. Pete was also the recipient of the Luna Wessel Leadership Award for his commitment to improving the health of Native Peoples. He was also the Executive Director of the Round Valley Health Center in Covelo.

Peter’s became an avid Bingo player during his retirement and he and his wife made many trips to the Casino to play. They won some and they lost some, but he was really happy when he won the Indian Star. The family would especially like to thank the Bingo runners who took such good care of both Pete and Mary for the many years they came to play.

Peter was a husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather, uncle, and cousin. He was truly loved and respected by his family and his passing has left a hole in our hearts.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Peter H Masten, Sr. and Grace Marshall Masten, and his sisters, Betty Roberts, Thelma (Bugsy) Mitchell, Lorraine (Babydoll) Robbins, and Marcia (Girly) Wiezorek.

Peter is survived by Mary, his wife of 64 years; his Daughter Glenda Masten and her four children Michael Carbone, Jr., Adam (Elizabeth) Carbone, Seth (Emily) Brenton, and Brianne (Austin) Free; his son Peter Michael (Amy) Masten and his three children Kylie (Eric) Lagge, Jake, Dawson, and great granddaughters Addyson and Katherine; his daughter Meredith Ann Myers and her two children Hunter and Lilli Myers; his sister Karen Skoglund and her children Korby, Karling, Karling’s little Juniper; and his nephew Richard Stewart; step-grandchildren Amanda Johnson, Jason Johnson, Matthew Johnson, and Katherine Johnson-Miller.

Graveside services will be held at the Hoopa Community Cemetery on Saturday February 22, 2025 at 1 p.m. The family will be hosting a celebration of life for Peter in the spring. Date and time to be announced at a later date.

Pallbearers - Michael Carbone, Jr., Adam Carbone, Seth Brenton, Hunter Myers, Jake Masten, Dawson Masten, Eric Lagge, Milton Stewart, Keenan Stewart, and Robert Masten.

Honorary Pallbearers - Richard Stewart, Robert Marshall, Walter Gray, Sr., Albert Gray, Gordon Peard, Lee Robbins, Jonathon Pack, Erick Wiezorek, Jason Johnson, and Matthew Johnson.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Peter Masten’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.