Owen Belnap

Owen S. Belnap “The Waving Man” On Tuesday, May 3, just two days after his 94th birthday, the sweet, pure heart of Owen S. Belnap finally gave out. Since 1986, Owen has been known around Ephrata as the Waving Man. Following his retirement, Owen walked a 2-mile route around town nearly every day, and enjoyed waving at every vehicle that passed him. He loved the waves and smiles he would get in return, but the honk of a car horn would get the driver Two Thumbs Up and a big grin from The Waving Man. As he passed age 90 and arthritis began slowing him down, an adult trike on the Nat Washington Way bike path replaced his walk in town, but he continued to wave and grin and give thumbs up to every vehicle he saw until just a few weeks ago. Owen was a skilled welder, having learned the trade in his youth from a blacksmith in Vale, Oregon. Following his High School graduation in 1941, he attended the Weiser Vocational School in Weiser, Idaho. He worked in the shipyards in Portland until his deferment expired, and then he joined the US Navy. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in conflicts in the Solomon Islands. Like so many of The Greatest Generation, following his separation from the Navy he came home, found and married a sweetheart, and rarely spoke of his war experiences. Owen had been employed by Morrison-Knudsen Construction in Boise, Seeberg Buick in Pasco, and Ephrata Auto Repair, among others, when he was a young husband and father. In 1959, he went to work for the Grant County PUD and retired in 1987. Following retirement, Owen and his beloved first wife June served as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nashville, Tennessee in 1989 and 1990. They continued to be active in church work and family service until June’s sudden death in March, 2001. In 2004, Owen married Kathy Bishop in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Besides being renowned for his walking and waving, Owen was a talented woodworker. He made gorgeous pieces from ugly wood. He made great-looking bowls out of elm burl, fish knockers out of former tree branches, and candle holders, salt and pepper shakers, and fish knockers out of “found” sagebrush. Owen is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Bishop Belnap of Ephrata; his children, Steven (Tammie) of Payson, Utah; Lynn (Sharlene) of Ephrata; Carla Dee Hastings of Boulder City, Nevada; and Kevin (and Teresa) of Glendale, Arizona. Additionally, he is survived by 22 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren, his brother Raymond of Vale, Oregon, a sister-in-law, Fern of Dayton, Oregon; a treasured friend, Donna Allgood of Ephrata, and countless nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved first wife, June Lois Hiatt Belnap; his parents, David Belnap and Avis Belnap; a sister, Florence Belnap Machen; and two brothers, Amasa “Mac” and Duane. Viewing will be held from 9-9:45 am on Tuesday, May 10 at the Ephrata LDS Church, 1301 East Division Street, followed by funeral services, at 10 a.m. Interment will be in the Ephrata City Cemetery.

Owen Belnap

May 1, 1922 - May 3, 2016