Gary A. Deatsman

Gary A. Deatsman, 82, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2025, following a two-month illness.

Gary was born in Chicago, IL, on March 25, 1943, to Frederick and Georgia Deatsman. He grew up in Niles, MI, and Omaha, NE, and graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1965. He was one of the first computer programmers for General Electric in Phoenix, AZ, before continuing his education at Arizona State University, where he completed a Master's in Mathematics and an Ed.D. in Mathematics Education. Gary taught at Moorhead State College in Moorhead, MN, as well as at the Mansfield and Newark branches of Ohio State University and at Loudonville (OH) High School and St. Peter's High School in Mansfield, OH.

Gary married Sally Hart in 1963. They had two children, Jeffrey and Jennifer. They divorced in 1976. Gary married Lucinda Tompkins in 1981. Gary and Cindy have one daughter, Rebecca. After Cindy's retirement, they moved to Mesa, AZ, before coming to Walla Walla in 2019.

Gary was an amateur astronomer who loved giving friends and strangers a look through his telescope. Neighbors near their College Place home knew Gary as the man who would set up his scope in his driveway on clear nights. Gary was also proud of having hiked the Grand Canyon, rim to rim, when he was 59 years old.

Gary is survived by his wife, Cindy; three children and their spouses: Jeff and Amy Deatsman, Jenny and Colin Keener, and Rebecca and Evan Heisman; five grandchildren: Jack, Ben, Clint, Emily, and Theo; and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Park Manor Rehabilitation Center for their compassionate care of Gary.

A private gathering will be held at a future date.

Memorial contributions may be made in Gary's name to the Blue Mountain Food Bank at https://www.bmacww.org/donation-campaigns-new.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.