Phillip L. Raistakka
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November 15, 2012
Naselle resident Phillip L. Raistakka, 77, died November 3, 2012 in Astoria. The son of Leo and Sylvia (Nasi) Raistakka, he was born in Astoria on March 24, 1935.
Phil was valedictorian of the Naselle-Grays River Valley High School class of 1953. He earned his BA degree in education from the University of Puget Sound where he belonged to the Sigma Nu fraternity. In 1965 Phil was one of 20 people from across the United States to be awarded a competitive National Defense Act Fellowship for a full year of study to earn a master’s degree in school counseling. He earned his master’s from Oregon State University.
On August 6, 1955 he married Shirley Penttila, his high school sweetheart. The couple were married for 41 years until her death on November 11, 1996. Phil married Anita Kilponen on September 15, 2001 and she survives, residing at the family home in Naselle.
Phil taught at DuPont Junior High School in the DuPont-Ft. Lewis school district in 1966. The following year he returned to his roots in Naselle where he became principal at the Naselle Youth Camp School, retiring in 1992.
Phil was always an active community member. He was in the Lions Club and Elks Club and was instrumental in starting the Not Quite So White Water River Run on the Grays River. Additionally, he served on the board of the Naselle-Grays River Valley Education Foundation for numerous years. More recently he was a member of the United Finnish Kaleva Brothers and Sisters Lodge #2 of Astoria, the Appelo Archives Center, and the Finnish-American Festival. He was one of many organizers of FinnFest USA ’06 held in Naselle and Astoria.
For 20 years, Phil was sports writer for The Chinook Observer covering the Naselle High School Comets activities.
Phil had an extraordinary sense of humor, was proud of his Finnish heritage, lived for Fantasy Football and enjoyed his canine companions Buck and Kissa Patches.
Besides his wife, Phil is survived by son Steve Raistakka and his wife Cheryl; daughter Debbie Chavez; daughter Deanna Wilson and husband Tim; grandson Matthew Raistakka---all of Naselle; grandson Jason Raistakka of Portland, Ore .; granddaughter Amanda Wilson of Vancouver; and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Patricia Wagler.
A memorial service was held November 8, 2012, at Naselle Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the Naselle-Grays River Valley Education Association, PO Box 185, Naselle, WA 98638 or to the non-profit local organization of one’s choice.
Phil’s guestbook is available on-line at http://www.penttilaschapel.com.
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