Longtime Enumclaw resident Joseph Arthur “Joe” Tackenberg died on Nov. 23, 2019. He was 64.

He was born Jan. 24, 1955, in the borough of Queens, New York, to John W. Tackenberg and Irene Tackenberg (née Ratcliffe). He graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in 1973 and was drafted to serve in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed in England he met Ngara Hathaway and they were married in September 1977. In 1979 he returned with the Air Force to serve in upstate New York. He was then stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and completed his full-time Air Force duties in December 1984 and moved his family to Washington state. He worked the remainder of his career at Boeing, retiring at age 55. He volunteered as a Scout Master for many years, impacting the lives of hundreds of boys and young men on the Enumclaw Plateau and beyond.

He is survived by his wife Ngara Tackenberg; children Rachel Noah and John Tackenberg II; sisters Susan Auer, Margaret Tackenberg and Patricia Terga; and three grandchildren.

A celebration of his life is planned for 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 3 at the Enumclaw VFW, following a family-only interment service at Tahoma National Cemetery. Casual attire is requested for the celebration.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family asks that a donation of time or goods be made to the Enumclaw Senior Center.