Roll Call Tribute
Calvin "Cal" Hunziker Jr. '70 April 26, 2021 4:09 PM updated: April 26, 2021 4:20 PM
Calvin Charles Hunziker, Jr. (Cal)
December 6, 1946 - March 25, 2021
Capt. Calvin (Cal) Charles Hunziker, Jr. was born in Seattle, WA on December 6, 1946 and passed away at home on March 25, 2021 after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer.
Cal was the eldest son of Calvin Hunziker, Sr. and Gloria (Igle) Hunziker. He graduated from Federal Way High School and attended his much-loved alma mater, Texas A&M, graduating in 1970 from the Maritime Academy in Galveston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation and his sights set on the sea.
In 1977 he travelled to Germany, where he met and fell in love with his future wife, Elisabeth (Lisa). They married in Germany on October 7th, 1978, and Lisa moved with him to Washington State. Soon after, Cal earned his Captain's license and continued to travel all around the world, sometimes with his new wife onboard! In 1980 Cal and Lisa built a house on Tapps Island, and by 1985 they had two daughters, Christina and Theresa.
In time, Cal earned his Marine Pilot's license and had a wonderful career with the Puget Sound Pilots, safely navigating ships in and out of the Puget Sound. Even after he retired, he wasn't done contributing to safety standards in the maritime world. Until he passed away, he was the National President of The Council of American Master Mariners and the National Vice President of International Relations for IFSMA (International Federation of Shipmasters' Association). In 2019, Cal and his wife started the Elisabeth and Calvin C. Hunziker Endowed Scholarship, to sponsor students pursuing an undergraduate degree in Marine Transportation from Texas A&M University at Galveston. He greatly enjoyed the opportunity he had to sponsor and mentor a local cadet.
Cal had many other passions in life as well. In the 1990's he decided to learn how to fly, and many a sunny day was spent climbing into his Bonanza and taking off from the Auburn Municipal Airport, or spending the day with his flying buddies.
A big lover of travel, Cal and Lisa would spend a month in Mazatlán, Mexico every year and enjoyed meeting up with the "Mexico Gang". In addition, Cal, Lisa and their daughters took almost yearly trips to Germany to visit Lisa's family and create a second home.
Cal was also an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Enumclaw and enjoyed the faith community he found there. He was grateful for the visits and well-wishes he received from fellow church members.
Cal will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, and friend to all who knew him. He was funny, outgoing, generous, and passionate about many things. We love him and will forever deeply miss him. Good-bye Captain, we wish you fair winds and calm seas.
© 2021 by The Seattle Times Obituaries
December 6, 1946 - March 25, 2021
Capt. Calvin (Cal) Charles Hunziker, Jr. was born in Seattle, WA on December 6, 1946 and passed away at home on March 25, 2021 after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer.
Cal was the eldest son of Calvin Hunziker, Sr. and Gloria (Igle) Hunziker. He graduated from Federal Way High School and attended his much-loved alma mater, Texas A&M, graduating in 1970 from the Maritime Academy in Galveston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation and his sights set on the sea.
In 1977 he travelled to Germany, where he met and fell in love with his future wife, Elisabeth (Lisa). They married in Germany on October 7th, 1978, and Lisa moved with him to Washington State. Soon after, Cal earned his Captain's license and continued to travel all around the world, sometimes with his new wife onboard! In 1980 Cal and Lisa built a house on Tapps Island, and by 1985 they had two daughters, Christina and Theresa.
In time, Cal earned his Marine Pilot's license and had a wonderful career with the Puget Sound Pilots, safely navigating ships in and out of the Puget Sound. Even after he retired, he wasn't done contributing to safety standards in the maritime world. Until he passed away, he was the National President of The Council of American Master Mariners and the National Vice President of International Relations for IFSMA (International Federation of Shipmasters' Association). In 2019, Cal and his wife started the Elisabeth and Calvin C. Hunziker Endowed Scholarship, to sponsor students pursuing an undergraduate degree in Marine Transportation from Texas A&M University at Galveston. He greatly enjoyed the opportunity he had to sponsor and mentor a local cadet.
Cal had many other passions in life as well. In the 1990's he decided to learn how to fly, and many a sunny day was spent climbing into his Bonanza and taking off from the Auburn Municipal Airport, or spending the day with his flying buddies.
A big lover of travel, Cal and Lisa would spend a month in Mazatlán, Mexico every year and enjoyed meeting up with the "Mexico Gang". In addition, Cal, Lisa and their daughters took almost yearly trips to Germany to visit Lisa's family and create a second home.
Cal was also an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Enumclaw and enjoyed the faith community he found there. He was grateful for the visits and well-wishes he received from fellow church members.
Cal will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, and friend to all who knew him. He was funny, outgoing, generous, and passionate about many things. We love him and will forever deeply miss him. Good-bye Captain, we wish you fair winds and calm seas.
© 2021 by The Seattle Times Obituaries
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