Obituary: Henry ‘Hank’ Dobson Bryson

Henry “Hank” Dobson Bryson passed peacefully on July 6, 2026, with family by his side. 

Hank was born in Juneau on Oct. 27, 1941, to Idabelle “Idy” (Dobson) and George Bryson. Two years later he became a big brother when his sister, Bonnie, was born.

Henry “Hank” Dobson Bryson

He was the great-great-grandson of Wrangell’s Chief Shakes VI on his father’s side. On his mother’s side he was a fifth-generation Juneauite whose family came at the turn of the last century. 

As a boy growing up next to the Evergreen cemetery, he loved trekking over the Douglas Bridge and up the mountain to ski at the Second Cabin. Hitchhiking out to Salmon Creek to fish was another favorite pastime; with him often sharing his catch with whoever gave him a ride. He spent much of his summers with his aunt and uncle, Milly and Bob Tandy, and cousin, Art McKinnon, at their beachfront home in Lena Cove, with access to a skiff and freedom to pursue Alaskan adventures.

At age 14, he met and fell in love with the new girl in town, Jill Penwarden, when her family’s construction company was building Juneau-Douglas High School. They graduated from the newly completed school in 1959, married in 1962 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, and spent the next 40 years together. They adopted two children, Melinda “Mindy” born in 1965, and George born in 1970. 

After service in the Army, Hank spent his early career as a firefighter/ambulance driver, and as a boat mechanic at Rusher’s Hardware. He then owned and operated Channel Marina for about 30 years where he provided countless Southeast Alaskans with “the boat to launch your dreams” (the signature jingle played on the radio). It was suspected that he wouldn’t sell anyone a motor more powerful than he had so he could be first to the fishing spot. Many local kids raised goldfish that were handed out by the hundreds at the annual boat shows. He also owned Taku Marine, Channel Dive and a satellite Channel Marina located in Ketchikan.  

Hank’s community service included many years as a volunteer at the Glacier Valley Fire Department raising to the rank of captain. He was a founding member of what is today called Juneau Mountain Rescue. Additionally, as chair of Juneau Harbors in the 1970s, he was instrumental in the infant stage of Auke Bay Statter Harbor’s current expanded launch ramp system. 

To connect with his son, he was a Cub Scout leader and a Judo wrestler. He also helped with his daughter’s many Girl Scout troop adventurous activities. He taught her to ski on the hill in the cemetery — the same place where his dad taught him to ski. When Eaglecrest ski area opened, he outfitted the family and drove up most every winter weekend. He took his family on countless boating adventures including transporting new boats up the Inside Passage from the Bayliner factory in Everett, Washington. Fifty years ago he built the family cabin on south Shelter Island — the longest regularly occupied property since the island was homesteaded earlier in the 20th century. He was an avid sport fisherman and deer hunter. He raced snow machines around Juneau and scuba dove the waters of Hawaii, Belize and the Juneau area.

In 1999, he left Alaska to become the CEO of Westport Shipyard, a mega yacht manufacturer in Washington state. He ultimately fulfilled his passion off the coast of Oregon in becoming a commercial fisherman — following in the footsteps of his dad, uncle, cousin and some friends. While living in Newport, Oregon, he served as a volunteer police officer, and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was active in the local fly fishing organization where, in between casts, he helped with habitat restoration, volunteered at hatcheries, and taught young people the sport.

Hank returned home to Juneau the day after Christmas 2023 and moved into Riverview Senior Living. He reported that although he would rather be spending his time on the boat, he liked living there. 

Along the way he developed strong and lasting friendships. His sense of humor was subtle and clever. Sometimes the only verification that he was making a joke was his dimples and twinkling blue eyes. 

Despite having dementia, he mostly retained his memory and never lost his recognition of people. He therefore was able to enjoy seeing friends and family to the end. 

Hank was preceded in death by his parents; a baby brother named Marcus; and his son. He is survived by his sister, Bonnie Bryson of Tucson, Arizona; daughter, Mindy Rowland and son-in-law Stew Rowland of Juneau; several cousins; former wife, Jill Bryson of Port Townsend, Washington; and special friend, Judy (Meek) Kiesel.

A celebration of life will held at Riverview Senior Living on Wednesday, July 15 at 1:30 p.m. His ashes will be scattered on the beach at South Shelter to join the ashes of several family members, friends and pets who passed before him. 

Donations can be made to Discovery Southeast or the charity of your choice. Family can be contacted at 5985 Mountain Ave., Juneau, AK 99801 or Mindy.Rowland@gmail.com.