PORT TOWNSEND — Former Port Townsend police chief and Jefferson County commissioner Bob Hinton died of a heart attack on Wednesday.
He died peacefully, surrounded by friends and family, said his wife, Anna Hinton.
Hinton, 76, was a lifelong resident of the Quimper Peninsula and left a large mark on the community, according to former Jefferson County Sheriff Mel Mefford, Hinton’s friend for 60 years.
“He was a good guy and no one can replace him,” Mefford said.
“When he was county commissioner he was always happy, and we will all miss his sense of humor.”
A memorial service is scheduled this coming Saturday at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St.
Mefford said he expected several hundred people to attend the service, and tell stories about Hinton.
Hinton was a 1957 graduate of Chimacum High School.
After serving in the Air Force Hinton joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in 1966 and the Port Townsend Police Department in 1969.
He moved up the ranks and was police chief when he retired in 1991.
Following his retirement he served a single term as Jefferson County commissioner from 1992 to 1996.
He is survived by his wife, daughter Colleen Myers, granddaughter Alycia Myers and four adopted stepchildren.
