Soboleff's efforts for Natives spanned a century

May 23rd 12:13 pm | Steve Quinn    

A Tlingit elder known for his wisdom, attentive ear and reassuring smile - all underscored by deep faith - has died Sunday.

The Rev. Walter A. Soboleff Sr. was 102.

Soboleff was born on Nov. 14, 1908, in Killisnoo a village that once existed in Southeast Alaska.

He attended two schools in Sitka before getting his attended the University of Dubuque in Iowa, where he earned a bachelor's degree in divinity.

He returned to Alaska, this time Juneau, where he began a career in ministry with messages that eventually reached Southeast villages and even small Yukon towns.

"I sat in front of the radio and listened to Walter every Sunday," said Bill Thomas, a state representative who grew up in Haines. "He always said, 'I'm proud of you.' He meant it."

News of Soboleff's passing quickly reached Anchorage and Seattle, then spread though the state's smaller communities.

Soboleff's daughter Janet Burke says her father died in his Juneau home early morning, some time after 6:30 a.m.

She and her daughter, Leanna Morely, spent the night at her father's house and were grateful that he slept peacefully.

Burke says a nurse notified her that Soboleff "had just passed."

Burke then called her brothers, Sasha, Walter Jr., and Ross.

Soboleff lay beneath his chilkat blanket with his dog salmon headdress - a reflection of his clan - at the foot of his bed

There Sasha delivered a prayer to include his late mother, Genevieve, starting it by saying:

"Oh, Lord, we welcome you to roll your arm around dad and mom as there is no more pain."

Even at 102, Soboleff enjoyed an active life.

He was a fixture at the annual Gold Medal basketball tournament that attracted teams from Native villages throughout the area.

He inspired new friends like John Moller, who works as the state's rural adviser for Gov. Sean Parnell.

He worked with young adults studying Tlingit. He looked forward to breakfasts with friends who credit Soboleff for their rise in the Native community: Albert Kookesh, Byron Mallott and Clarence Jackson.

Less than one month after turning 102, Soboleff delivered the keynote address at Parnell's swearing-in ceremony.

Not long after his death, Parnell called for state flags to be lowered to half staff, an honor normally reserved for fallen soldiers and former lawmakers.

Flags are to be lowered Wednesday.

In a statement released Sunday afternoon, Parnell said:

"Sandy and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Soboleff - a humble man of great wisdom. Dr. Soboleff will be remembered for his decades of service to Alaskans, his kind and gentle manner and his quick wit.

"I was honored to meet with Dr. Soboleff recently. He reminisced about his love for Alaskans, his favorite sermons, and the joys of hosting the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament in Juneau.

"His legacy will live on in the many generations he touched. Alaska has lost a true treasure."

Edward Thomas, president of the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, said Soboleff gave speeches that "provided provocative thinking."

"He was a culture bearer for so many of our clans not just for the dog salmon," Thomas said. "He was the last one around who knew of clans' happenings and protocol. That will be very much missed."

Bill Thomas said Soboleff inspired his request in the Legislature to consider building a retirement home for retired military.

Thomas said $500,000 has been appropriated to review placing such a home in Haines.

"He said, 'I don't want to die in the Mat-Su; I want to die at home,' " Thomas said. "I hope we can get it done.

"Everything Walter did, he did with honor, dignity. People were amazed he could speak with such ability and all that knowledge.

"He was a charismatic person who was always smiling and happy. It wasn't a fake smile. He spoke from his heart and he meant it."

 

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Steve Quinn can be reached at squinn@alaskanewspapers.com, or by phone at 907-723-3775