Hal A. Samsel
POLSON — Hal A. Samsel, 85, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2015, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease and a short battle with a broken heart. The love of his life, wife of 64 years and best friend, Betty, passed away two weeks earlier.
Hal was born on Feb. 20, 1930, in Missoula to William and Hallie Samsel. He lived at Monture Ranger Station until age 4. He then moved to Seeley Lake where his father was the District Ranger. He lived at Seeley Lake until 1941, attending a one-room school. After stops at Missoula and Plains, he moved with his family to Ravalli and graduated high school in St. Ignatius in 1949. Hal smoke jumped the summer of 1949.
He married Betty on Sept. 1, 1950, and joined the Marine Corps shortly after. He attended boot camp in San Diego and was later stationed in Jacksonville, Florida.
Hal returned home in 1952 and resumed working summers as a smokejumper and winters in the local lumber mills. In 1957 he was hired on full-time at the Smokejumpers’ Base. During his career as a smokejumper, Hal became the first smokejumper to receive a 250-jump pin. For the last 10 years of his career, he was the Parachute Loft Foreman. Hal retired from the Smokejumper Base in 1980. At his retirement party he asked, “Why is it you have to die or retire to find out what a good guy you were?”
Hal used to say, half-jokingly, there are very few things at which I am not at least an expert, and in his case it was true. He was a Marine, a smokejumper and he had a private pilot’s license. He loved skiing, hunting and fishing, and was always busy with one of his many hobbies, which included square dancing, wine making, making knives, making jewelry, leather crafting, and playing guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. He also designed and built his retirement cabin on Flathead Lake.
After retiring in 1980, Hal and Betty lived in Missoula for a few years while they were completing their cabin on Flathead Lake. After selling their house in Missoula, Hal and Betty moved permanently to their home on Flathead Lake where they lived until passing.
Hal and Betty loved their kids and grandkids and never missed a sporting event or school function the kids were involved in. They were also lucky enough to enjoy a few years with their great-grandchildren.
They wintered in Yuma, Arizona for 20 years and had many friends and enjoyed many social hours and trips to Mexico. Hal also played music with a group of friends in Yuma and entertained themselves and others on many occasions.
Hal never missed a Smokejumper reunion, was a lifetime Elks member and was active in the Marine Corps League.
Hal was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty; and brothers Kirk and Colvin. Survivors include his son Steve (Shelley) Samsel of Polson; his daughter Sheryl (Randy) Symon of Thompson Falls; his grandchildren Ben Symon, Sara McDonald, Tonnes Olson, Andy Samsel, and Kristine Torgenrud; 12 great-grandchildren; his brother, William (Bette Ann) Samsel; and his sister Sharlene (Kenneth) Ewald.
A celebration of their lives will be held for both Hal and Betty. It will be announced at a later date. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com. Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
