Henry Luce Obituary

Henry Dennis Luce was born on December 22,1941 in Moscow, Idaho to Henry Clyde and Frankie Jean (Rist) Luce. He was joined with 3 younger siblings: Gary (Karen) of Garden City, CA, Nancy (Donald) Courts of Vallecito, CA, and Alice Dewey of Jupiter, FL. Henry grew up in Moscow but spent much time with his grandfather on a nearby farm growing up helping him with the farm and his plumbing business giving him skills he would need later in life. Henry graduated from North Central High School in Spokane, WA in 1959 and went to the University of Washington in Seattle where he finished his bachelor's degree in 1964. He entered into a first marriage and had a child, Charles H Luce and they later divorced (annulled). Henry moved to California and worked for San Mateo County as a Probation Officer for over 30 years until his retirement. While there, he entered into many lifelong friendships and also found the love of his life, Carmiña Ascimani. They married September 15, 1983 and bought their home on Ruthelma Avenue in Palo Alto. They were able to travel widely, especially to see Carmiña's family in Wisconsin and Bolivia. Later travels included Europe (France, Germany & Spain), Mexico, and the countries of South America (Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina). Henry learned Spanish from his wife and became fairly fluent in the language, allowing him to interact with family in Bolivia, where his friendly and loving ways endeared him to all. On one trip they were able to take Charlie and Alice along. Henry loved to do exciting things and became quite involved in skiing (he was a Ski Patrol member in the Tahoe area), sailing and wind surfing, piloting airplanes and gliders, hiking and camping. He involved Carmiña in many of these activities, sometimes overcoming her fears. Henry and Carmiña became involved in ethnic dancing, performing with a local group and entertaining family and friends everywhere. They purchased a motorhome and traveled and camped all around the country for several years. Henry also became skilled in hypnosis and massage therapies helping many people. Henry's skills and talents allowed them to add on to their modest home and enlarged it to add to their comfort and have room for family and friends. He was able to pass all required inspections as the building progressed. Later, Henry was able to add solar panels to the roof and purchase an electric car, a pioneering endeavor. They purchased one of the first Tesla Model 3 cars to be built. In his later years Henry felt the need to join the Catholic Church and studied to do so. He then went through the sacraments of baptism, first communion, confirmation, and was married to Carmiña in the church. He received extramunction at his last illness. Unfortunately, Henry was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease which he fought valiantly with exercise and diet. Slowly, Henry was taken from us over a period of seven years. He had to spend the last year in memory care facilities until he was finally taken from us by pneumonia. Henry was a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend to all who knew him, and will be missed forever in our hearts.