Joseph Arthur Humbert
World War II veteran affectionately called “Pap”
Joseph Arthur “Brud” Humbert, 91 of Washington, died Thursday, January 9, 2014, in Donnell House, Washington.
He was born May 21, 1922, in Washington, a son of Thomas Sherrard Humbert and Violet Louise Joslin Humbert.
Mr. Humbert left high school in his senior year to serve in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, where he received a Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze stars. He graduated from the U.S. Army Air Forces Technical School and served as a flight engineer. His aircraft crew regularly flew supplies of gasoline from India to China, over the Himalayas, known as “Flying the Hump.” He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from November 1942 until being honorably discharged in November 1945. He served in the 24th Combat Unit and in the China-Burma-India Theater.
He later received his high school diploma November 1, 2001, at Trinity High School, at a ceremony for World War II veterans.
Mr. Humbert worked for Pennsylvania Transformer Co. for several years and Washington Steel Co. He went on to work for Washington County Housing Authority as a supervisor, until his retirement.
Affectionately known as “Pap,” he was a very kind and soft-spoken man who loved to tell stories of his experiences in the Army, especially when he and his crew had to bail out of their B-24 airplane over the Himalayan Mountains because of engine failure. They all survived and walked for a week before reaching help. He became a member of the Caterpillar Club because of successfully parachuting out of a disabled aircraft.
Mr. Humbert was a longtime member of American Legion Post 175. He belonged to Button and Bows square dance club for several years. He was a member of Washington Hospital Auxiliary, volunteering for several years until he had to retire because of health reasons.
On November 17, 1942, he married Elizabeth Patricia “Betty” Fonner, who died December 25, 1999.
Surviving are two sons, Joseph A. Humbert Jr. of Washington and Michael S. (Marsha) Humbert of Connellsville; a daughter, Patricia L. (Tom) O’Connor of Washington; eight grandchildren, Tamie (John) Devenney, Kelly “George” (Michael) Gray, Chris (Heather) O’Connor, Jason (Tina) Humbert, Nick (Renae) Humbert, Dana (David) Woodbury, Ryan (Rachel) Humbert and Andrea (Tommy) Karpency; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are a brother, Thomas Humbert; two sisters, Janis Garceau and Ellen White; and a daughter-in-law, Patricia Ann Humbert.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and noon to 1:30 p.m., the time of service, Monday, January 13, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, with the Rev. Thomas D. O’Neil officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Donnell House, c/o of Washington Health Systems Hospice Care, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.
Additional information and a guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.