I noticed some other possibly acrylic paintings he has done of a woman with a man and at least two different poses. One of The figures in the painting looks familiar, as if she modeled for him in a poster stage situation. As a professional photographer, I highly suspected that this one image was taken and referenced from one of his photos that he would capture. WESTERMAN, but I have followed a series of twist interns have been found one of his watercolors that I purchased from a Goodwill in Arlington Virginia. I will miss our telephone chats, but know he is in the arms of Jesus no longer feeling any pain and finally at peace. He was a genuine, gentle, and kind person.

We had similar religious and political leanings. Mike had many medical issues (most of them caused by exposure to Agent Orange) and was under care at the local VA Hospital in Portland. We spent a memorable evening together at beautiful restaurant catching up and reminiscing. Most of the time, Mike and I would just have great phone conversations updating each on the latest in our lives and trying to solve the world’s problems! My wife and I made a trip to Portland a few years ago, and the highlight was a visit with Mike. Sometimes we were successful!!įollowing the war, we made contact again. We tried to meet girls and he used his camera as an introduction. We would often go on Liberty together in Honolulu and various Asian ports which were visited by thousands of Westpac ships during the Vietnam War. He did some weddings and other jobs for the officers, which got him out of a lot of the mundane Military duties on the ship. Mike used his photographic skills to become the official ship’s photographer. Built in 1945, the ship was nicknamed the “Dirty Ernie”, a much deserved title! We were both E-3 Seaman aboard one of the oldest ships in the 7th fleet. Mike and I were friends for most of 1967-69. Just heard the bad news that my best buddy on the USS Ernest G.

Pastor ted samples obituary