George Wheeler Hinman III

George, born in Evanston, Illinois to Norman Seymour and Bess Bryan Hinman, passed away surrounded by family. George grew up with his parents and sister, Elizabeth (Susan) in the Midwest. He graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1944, leaving shortly thereafter for Carnegie Tech. He graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Math and Physics and master’s and doctoral degrees in Physics.

After working for several years in La Jolla, California, George moved his family to Pullman, Washington where he was faculty at WSU. After retirement in 1997, George continued to teach and work at WSU for many years. When his wife, Mary, suffered an injury, George devotedly cared for her full-time.

Family was the most important thing to George. He was deeply saddened when any relative passed. He lost his wife, Mary, in 2015 and his sister shortly thereafter. He moved to Missoula, Montana to be near daughters Lydia Hinman (Quintin Woirhaye) and Nancy Hinman (Todd Carlson). Son, Norman (Cindy) Hinman, lives in California. Granddaughter, Elise, in Salt Lake City, takes after her grandfather, pursuing a doctoral degree.

George loved fishing Montana’s rivers. He fished Rock Creek during the heyday, catching over 90 fish on a rockin' and rollin' salmon-fly day. Fishing until his 88th year, he landed and released many fat cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout, along with several mug fish. He was a long-time member of the Clearwater Fly Casters and the Federation of Fly Fishers. George also spent parts of many summers at Drakesbad in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

In his last months, George played Go often. He took on all comers and handily defeated them, capturing territory with strategy and daring.

George was compassionate and generous. He felt strongly that society has an obligation to be just, and supported conservation organizations. To that end, donations may be made to the Nature Conservancy - George particularly liked Idler’s Rest Preserve on Moscow Mountain in Idaho - or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, which funds research and supports those who suffer from IPF.
There will be a funeral service held at Garden City Funeral Home on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. Burial will take place at Missoula City Cemetery. Condolences may be left at www.gardencityfh.com

“Now at the end of this story I want to say that it has been a pleasure to be here. It was a grand experience to grow up with loving parents and to marry lovely Mary and have three wonderful children. I have enjoyed my life’s work and life’s adventures. In my remaining time I want to continue to enjoy the same kind of life as long as possible.” – GWH