NEAH BAY — Edward Eugene Claplanhoo will be remembered for generations to come, said speakers at a memorial service that drew nearly 1,000 mourners Saturday.
Among his many accomplishments, the influential tribal elder, who died of a heart attack last Sunday at the age of 81, helped preserve Makah culture and heritage during the Ozette dig in the 1970s, which led to the Makah Cultural and Research Center in Neah Bay.
“His legacy of public service will outlast all of us here in the gym today,” said Ann Renker, principal of the Neah Bay school, who delivered Clap Âlanhoo’s eulogy.
Mourners packed the Neah Bay gym on Saturday to pay their respects to a humble, outgoing “political powerhouse” who had many talents and loved his wife, Thelma, and family.
Claplanhoo was tribal chairman when the Ozette village, buried in a mudslide in the 1700s, was uncovered.
Claplanhoo worked with Richard Dougherty, the Washington State University archaeologist who led the project, to preserve the artifacts and keep them in the Neah Bay museum.
Ruth Kirk, who wrote a book about the dig and is married to Dougherty, told the Peninsula Daily News that Claplanhoo was “instrumental” in setting up the Makah Cultural and Research Center that opened in 1979.
“I think that’s his great legacy — the convergence of these important archeological finds with a college-educated, just inherently interested person who could provide leadership,” said Clallam County Commissioner Mike Doherty, a long-time friend of Claplanhoo.
Doherty said Ed Claplanhoo was “very effective” in lobbying local, state and federal lawmakers on behalf of the Makah.
“It was very fortunate that he was here,” said Doherty, holding back tears.
Claplanhoo was the Makah’s first college graduate. He earned a forestry degree from Washington State College, now Washington State University, in 1956.
In 2008, Claplanhoo was enshrined in the WSU Wall of Fame, an honor reserved for 1 percent of the alumni.
“One would think that these awards would make anyone a proud person, but they did not affect Ed that way,” Renker said.
“He was ever humble, ever self-effacing and always more committed to civic and community service than he was to personal glory.”
A proud Cougar, Claplanhoo had enrolled at the college he always wanted to attend in 1947.
He was drafted in 1950 into the Army, and was discharged in 1952 as a Sgt. First Class before returning to school in 1953.
“He loved his service with the military,” said John Heinz, another longtime friend of the Claplanhoos.
“He loved the military. He loved America. He’s got testimonials all around the village and the area of his love of country.”
Veterans park
Thelma and Ed Claplanhoo donated land he inherited from his adopted parents, Art and Ruth Claplanhoo, to build a monument to Neah Bay veterans at Fort Nunez Gaona-Diah Veterans Park.
Both active military personnel and veterans were among those who came to pay their last respects.
Reverend Frank Cole, who knew Claplanhoo for more than a half-century, told colorful tales of knowing “Eddie,” a man who loved to work on cars and to drive cars fast.
Cole recalled a day when he was struggling to hook up a septic tank. Claplanhoo returned from Washington State College and offered to help.
“He says, ‘Well I can help you with that, but I’ve got to do a term paper,'” Cole recalled.
“He said, ‘If Jane [Cole’s wife] will type my paper, I will dictate it to her while I’m installing your toilet.’ So he went to work on it.
“And he dictated that paper — it was about Indian lore and Indian culture — and we got an education at the same time because we learned about the Makahs and we learned about their culture.
“Eddie got his term paper and we got our toilet.”
Pastor James Kallappa officiated the service. Kallappa, Janet Cameron and Joyce Bowechop performed songs.
Friends Antonio Sanchez and Luis Esteban rounded out the list of speakers during the day-long service, which moved to Fort Nunez Gaona Diah Veterans Park for a final tribute.
A community dinner was held in the gym.
Claplanhoo was also famous in Neah Bay for his booming voice as the master of ceremonies of the annual Makah Days celebration, a role he handled since 1965.
‘Quiet motivator’
Heinz, who worked with Claplanhoo to expand medical services in Neah Bay, described his friend as a “quiet motivator” and a “great historian.”
“Ed was in the thick of it, on behalf of the Makah tribe, but also on behalf of Indians nationally,” Heinz said.
The office of Gov. Chris Gregoire’s presented a letter to Thelma Claplanhoo, Ed Claplanhoo’s widow, and “friends of Ed,” as well as giving the widow U.S. flag that flew at the state capital.
“Mike [Gregoire] and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the region’s most cherished tribal elders,” Gregoire wrote.
“An accomplished leader, a statesman and a mentor to many, Ed’s wisdom and deep respect for Makah traditions will leave an indelible mark on the entire tribal community.”
Doherty read a letter from state House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, whose 24th District includes the North Olympic Peninsula, addressed to the Claplanhoo family.
“In his 81 years, he has made many remarkable contributions to this community, giving generously of his time, energy and resources,” Kessler wrote.”
“He has left a lasting mark on many aspects of life in Neah Bay, and a legacy that will long be remembered and honored.”
In addition to his wife, Claplanhoo is survived by his, daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Jack Werkau of Lake Tapps; his son and daughter-in-law, Vern and Marla Tolliver of Neah Bay; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson, Ronnie Scroggins, and an infant child.
The burial service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to Robert Buckingham c/o Makah Marina, P.O. Box 137, Neah Bay, WA 98357.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
