Obituaries

Michael “Mike” Eagan, retired project designer

Michael Eagan

Michael “Mike” Eagan

Photo courtesy of Mike's family

Note: The following email was from Kelly Eagan, chief of the Freight Performance Management Branch in the Division of Transportation Planning.

We are saddened to announce the passing of retired Caltrans employee Michael “Mike” Eagan, who died this spring at the age of 75.

Mike began his career with Caltrans District 1 as a junior engineer in 1965 and retired after over 40 years in 2008 as the design manager for the Eureka and Redding offices. Over the years, Mike oversaw the design of more than 300 projects.

Mike was highly involved with the community where he served as a planning commissioner for the city of Eureka, on the State Board of Professional Engineers, and on the Timber Heritage Association Board. He was also a member of the Historic Preservation Commission, the Humboldt County Historical Society, the Old House Group, and the Humboldt Rose Society. He was a founding member of the Redwood Off road Club, Curry Cruisers, and Lost Coast 4X4s.

Mike is survived by a number of current and past family members who have worked or continue to work for the Department, including Katharine Eagan (wife) in District 1, Kelly Eagan (daughter) at Headquarters, Dr. Nick Compin (son-in-law) at Headquarters, and Tiernan Eagan-Johnson (grandson) in District 1, Jim Everett (nephew) at Headquarters, and Jerry Everett (nephew) in District 3, and proceeded in death by Henry “Michael” Eagan (father) in District 1, Patricia Eagan (sister) at Headquarters.

For information regarding his memorial, please get in touch with Kelly Eagan at kellyeagan@live.com. To read his obituary in the Lost Coast Outpost, click here.


Brett Hall, equipment operator

Brett Hall

Brett Hall

Photo courtesy of Brett's family

Note: The following obituary appeared on the Lost Coast Outpost website on July 6.

Equipment operator Brett Austin Hall, born July 23, 1996, in Eureka to Brenda and Richard Hall, passed away peacefully in San Francisco surrounded by the love of his mom, dad, bonus mom Kris and sister Kacie on June 12.

Brett was 25 when he passed after a lengthy battle to breathe, a complication of the chemotherapy he was given to prevent the return of his cancer. It instead, robbed him and us of his life.

Brett had many family roots in Humboldt County and had made Rio Dell his home and where he lived with his two children at the time of his death. Throughout his young life Brett spent time and developed many friendships throughout California, but his love for Trinity County and the family cabin in Ruth was one of his very favorite places to be and where he will forever remain.

Brett was challenged as a young man with many health issues, we his family were always amazed at how he took them, fought bravely, and overcame them. He wanted to be in this life for his family.

Brett had many things he had expressed were important to him, but in the last few months and weeks of his life he felt clarity on what in life was really important, being there for and building a life for his children, Robert and Ashlynn. Being a dad was natural for Brett, these two were his pride and joy, his everything.

Most weekends, you would find him with his kids, whether they were enjoying family BBQs or pool parties, swimming, fishing or kayaking at the river, riding any number of ATV’s, spending time at the lake and giving the kiddos rides on his Sea Doo or simply spending time at the family cabin in Ruth, he felt at home and at peace doing these things. He was always teaching his kids about his love of hunting, fishing, running equipment, trucks and just being in the country.

Brett was proud that he worked for Caltrans, at the time of his passing he was an equipment operator in Leggett, he enjoyed the people he worked with and considered them true friends.

Brett is survived by his children Robert and Ashlynn, his mom Brenda, his dad Richard and bonus mom Kris, his grandparents; Emma, Terry and Walter, his siblings; Kacie, Ashley, Tiffany and Cody, and bonus- siblings Ryan and Chelsea and all their spouses. He was blessed with 16 nieces and nephews many of which he had close relationships with and who helped make his life full. He wouldn’t want us to forget his extended family and the many special friends that made him feel complete.

Brett was preceded in death by his grandparents Ruth and Tony Hall and nephew Caleb Blake.


Gary McSweeney, retired transportation engineer

Gary McSweeney

Gary McSweeney

Photo courtesy of Gary's family

Note: The following obituary appeared on the Couer d’Alene (Idaho) Post Falls Press website on June 17.

Retired transportation planning engineer Gary McSweeney, 82, passed away peacefully at home on May 14 after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Gary was born Sept. 22, 1939, in South Gate and grew up in Eagle Rock. He met his better half, Janet Svoboda, in 1959. They married in 1961 and went on to have two daughters, Kelley (Aagesen) and Laurie (Damas).

After graduating Eagle Rock High School, Gary joined the U.S. Marine Corps, which he proudly served for 30 years, reaching the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4.

Gary worked as a transportation planning engineer for the state of California (Caltrans) for 30 years until his retirement in 1994. After retiring, Gary and Jan traveled a bit and ultimately settled down in Hayden, Idaho, in 1996.

Gary accepted Christ as his Savior attending Hayden Friends Church and had an unwavering faith in God which he shared often and loved his One Place Church family.

Gary loved a good “Dad Joke” and always had a new one ready!

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard McSweeney and Clara Young, younger brother Tom, and beloved in-laws Stan and Marg Svoboda.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Jan, daughters and sons-in-law Kelley and Mike Aagesen and Laurie and Roy Damas. Grandchildren Christian (Erin) Aagesen, Brian Aagesen, Ann (Ross) Miller and honorary grandson Leland Beckett. Gary found great joy in his great-grandchildren, Lucas and Cooper Aagesen and Emilia and Levi Miller.


Orville Francis Watowa, retired maintenance worker

Orvill Watowa

Orville Watowa

Photo courtesy of Orville's family

Note: The following obituary appeared on the Atchison (Kansas) Globe website on July 7.

Orville Francis Watowa, 90, Buena Park, formerly of Atchison, passed away May 15. He was 90.

Orville was born Oct. 11, 1931, son of Lawrence G. Watowa and Phoebe E. (Thrift). He attended St. Benedicts Elementary School and the Good Intent Grade School west of Atchison and Atchison County Community High School, Effingham, Kansas.

He enlisted in the Navy in Oct. 1951, as a gunner mate during the Korean War, until his honorable discharge on Oct. 11, 1955. After serving in the military, a year later, he married and moved to Simi Valley in 1957, then to Buena Park in 1969.

He worked as a Light and heavy equipment operator in supervisory and lead roles for over 36 years for the State of California Highway Department (Caltrans), until his retirement on Dec. 31, 1996.

Orville is survived by: two sons, Travis E. Watowa, Anaheim, California, Monty A. Watowa, Buena Park; three daughters: Tammy M. Neumann, Platte City, Missouri, Renee F. LaCorte, Corona; Kristen K. Watowa, Temecula; two brothers, Jerome (Jerry) Watowa, Topeka, Kansas, Donald Watowa, Sterling, Alaska; and one sister, Doris Smith, Atchison.

Orville is preceded in death by: both his parents; former wife, Delores M. Watowa (Benshoof); one daughter, Tina J. Watowa; and two brothers, Robert (Bob) Watowa, Jim Watowa, Atchison.

He treasured his six children, 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and all of our family friends (as his own).

He was a farmer, construction worker, master mechanic by nature, heavily involved throughout his lifetime and passionately entrenched in all of his communities, in so many ways. Orville was a perpetual helper.