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Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA) - March 25, 2005
Deceased Name: ARCHIE FINEOUT
Archie Fineout, a retired postal worker and World War II veteran who was fascinated with
science and genealogy, died Saturday from congestive heart failure related to cancer. He
was 96.
Born Aug. 10, 1908, in Forest Grove, Ore., Fineout's parents ran a lumber mill where
he worked as a teenager. He graduated from high school in Oregon.
In 1939, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed out of Oahu, Hawaii, and San Francisco
until his honorable discharge following a back injury. Shortly after leaving the service,
Fineout took a position with the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier, until he retired
more than 30 years later.
''He was always on time. He was never sick or late,'' said his son-in-law,
Bill Jostmeyer of Petaluma. ''He was very dedicated.''
Fineout had a keen interest in genealogy and spent much of his time creating charts,
ledgers and timelines tracing his lineage back almost 500 years. He traveled to Salt Lake
City's massive geneaology library to search the archives for more information about
his family, and even helped write a book about the Fineouts.
''There must be mounds of paper where he spent hundreds of hours doing this. That
was his passion,'' Jostmeyer said.
Fineout's enthusiasm extended into the sciences, including a fascination with
unidentified flying objects. He often told the story of an encounter with a UFO while out
driving with his wife and children. The family took photographs and Fineout collected
books, videos and attended UFO conventions.
''He just knew that they were there and they were real,'' Jostmeyer said.
During the mid-1980s, Fineout moved from the Bay Area to Santa Rosa with his wife of 52
years, Audrey Fineout, who died in 1993. He was active even into his later years, living
independently until his death.
''He was a very strong person with a very strong will,'' said Jostmeyer.
''He never smoked, or drank -- a very straightforward person. But he liked his
cappuccino in the morning.''
Fineout is survived by two sons, Donald and Ronald Fineout of San Francisco; a daughter,
Susan Jostmeyer of Petaluma; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today, at Daniels Chapel of the Roses, 1225
Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hannah Boys Center, 17000 Arnold Drive, Sonoma
95476.
Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)
Date: March 25, 2005
Edition: CITY
Page: B2