Former Bainbridge Island resident Gary Charles Haupt died May 23 of heart failure.

He was born May 20, 1953 in Walla Walla, to Harold H. and Clara Louise (Rich) Haupt.

The family moved to Bainbridge Island in 1959, and lived at Wing Point until 1968.

While on Bainbridge he made many lifelong friendships; he often returned in later years to camp out at Fay Bainbridge State Park and touch base with friends.

His family moved to Neskowin, Ore., where he attended Nestucca Union High School. He later made numerous trips back there with his sons, camping and visiting the beach.

He married Denise Thomas in 1974. They lived in Roads End, outside of Lincoln City, Ore., later moving to Salem, where their two sons, Travis John Haupt and Dexter Nolan Haupt were born.

He attended Chemeketa Community College and studied electronics.

After he and his wife divorced, he relocated with Arnav Systems (originally Morrow Electronic of Salem, Ore.) to Puyallup, where he worked for over 20 years as quality control manager.

At a 20-year high school reunion, he and classmate Vicki Leimback were reacquainted, and and shared a life together in West Seattle for the past 12 years.

Haupt played guitar and percussion, and enjoyed playing music with friends. He enjoyed all aspects of music — listening, recording, attending shows, especially the Grateful Dead; he could recite “every fact and figure” about a song, including when it was written, the artist, and when the album was produced. He taught music to any willing student.

He is survived by sons Travis and Dexter of Salem, Ore.; parents, Harold and Clara Haupt; sister Karen Haupt Toler, and brother John, all of Waldport, Ore.; and companion Vicki Leimback of Seattle.

A celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m. June 1 at Camp Long, 5200 35th Ave. SW in West Seattle.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to the Rex Foundation, P.O. Box 150390, San Rafael, CA 94915, or the Mockingbird Foundation, 6948 Luther Circle, Moorpark, CA 93021.