Gary Hirsch

Gary Hirsch passed on Saturday August 20th due to complications of Agent Orange lung cancer and dementia.

Gary Michael Hirsch was born on Thursday September 15th, 1949 to Casper and Romaine Hirsch in Scranton, North Dakota. He was the youngest son of 12 siblings and raised on a farm outside of town. He worked the farm and got his first job at age 7 to buy books for public school. He later worked the harvest working combines from North Dakota down to Texas and back. He earned a basketball scholarship to North Dakota State that was never fulfilled as his draft number came up for Vietnam. He enlisted in the Army, summer of 1968. He served 2 tours in Vietnam as a supply and commodities manager and then worked medi-vac flights to help the wounded. He was involved in two Huey crashes and survived minimal wounds.

Upon his return to the United States, he attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and earned a degree in Manufacturing Material Analism. His first job was for Waukesha Motors building car engines. He worked several manufacturing jobs in numerous states. He landed in Montana in 1983, to be close to his brother Ron.  He met Tammy in January of 1988 and they married in June in Vermont. They moved to the Seattle area so Gary could work in the aerospace industry-which he did for almost 20 years. They welcomed 2 children, Chantel and Ethan. He was a family man, became a Christian and learned to lean on Jesus as he fought PTSD memories of Vietnam. He had a fascination and love for Corvettes and was able to purchase a Corvette to restore from a friend in 2010.  He and his son Ethan worked long tireless hours to fulfill his dream.

Tammy and Gary longed to move back to Montana and finally had the opportunity in 2012. He supported Tammy's endeavors to return to school and always was a quiet champion to all three of us. He sat on the sidelines of Chantels soccer games cheering in the rain and numerous campouts for Ethan's scouting career as well as his football games. He supported Tammy's veteran advocate efforts and her quilting hobby helping to pin and lay out many a quilt. His family and their needs always came first and he never asked for anything in return.

He has always been and will always be our hero.

He is preceeded in death my his parents, Casper and Romaine and brothers Daryle, Ken, Tim, Neil, and sisters Bonnie, Claudia and Joleen.

He is survived by wife, Tammy (Lefebvre) Hirsch of 34 years and daughter Chantel and son-in-law, Jason Sharpe and granddaughters Averie and Harley as well as son Ethan Hirsch and grandson Brody-all of who will miss him dearly.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Vietnam Veterans of America Kalispell group, Chapter 1087, PO Box 207, Somers, MT. 59932.