Hank was born May 29, 1941 in Tulalip, Washington and entered into rest April 25, 2013.
He is survived by his wife, Inez Bill-Gobin; two sisters, Anna Mae Hatch (Verle, deceased) and Isabelle Legg (James, deceased); a brother, Earl “Moxie” Renecker (Bernice, deceased); and three sons, Rick, Brian, and Bill Coriz, all of Sante Fe, New Mexico. All three sons whom he raised lost their biological father the same day of the passing of Hank. (These boys send their special heartfelt prayers to our family loss, while they prepare for biological family. Just the same we give our heartfelt prayers too. )
He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Isabelle Gobin; and siblings, Shirley, Emery, Daryl, Frank, and John.
Hank was born and raised on the Tulalip reservation. He left at the age of 21 to further his education goals. He attended the Santa Fe Indian Boarding School where he received both his High School diploma and Certificate in Ceramics and Painting at the Institute of American Indian Arts in 1965.
From 1965-1970, he attended the San Francisco Art Institute earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He then went on to complete his Master’s degree atSacramento State College in 1971. It goes without saying, Hank held high achievement levels for himself. At SSC he was voted as an immediate art candidate, within a year’s time he received his MA in painting. While at SSC he worked as a teaching assistant in the fields of drawing, watercolor, and oil painting. Again, Hank had determination for success. By the second semester, he had been appointed as ‘Assistant Professor’ teaching Native American Art.
In 1971, Hank returned to the Institute of American Indian Arts where he then taught Ethnic Study courses. One year later he became the Acting Arts Director. Later, he was appointed as the full-time Director which he held for 11 years. After leaving this Directorship position he traveled and painted museum quality pieces across the United States from 1982-1986. Hank then worked for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, in Portland OR, from 1986-1987.
Hank returned home in 1989, where his ‘spiritual life’ began. Hank always had this little saying or phrase, “Like a migrating salmon’ returning home”. His spiritual pathway provided the cultural foundation where it was important in applying these cultural values and beliefs in the day to day aspects of his life. Including while he was the Tribes Cultural Resource Manager (24 years). For example, putting these traditional and cultural values into practice where Hank was instrumental for the development of the Tulalip’s language program.
Hank also worked with the community in setting the foundations of the cultural teachings, protocols, and values surrounding the tribal family canoe journey. He also worked closely with tribal, federal, state and local governments and agencies on issues of cultural and environmental interest and established standards that met the needs and concerns of the Tulalip Tribes’.
Throughout his career, Hank dedicated much of his work towards building a tribal museum; a vision long held by Tribal elders and Tribal Membership. Through hard work and dedication, Hank brought this dream to reality. He advised, initiated, and designed what became the ‘Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve’; the place that tells our story in our own words, and honors our past, present, and future people.
Hank’s lifework was dedicated to his people; he was a cultural warrior and advocate. His spiritual beliefs were a prominent aspect of who he was; and it was this spiritual way of life that enabled him to carry out his responsibilities to protect his people’s cultural and environmental interests. Everything about Hank was genuine and his magnetic personality touched the lives of all those who he crossed paths.
Services will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2013 at the family home. Interfaith services will be held Sunday, April 27, at 6 p.m. at the Tribal Gym. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 28, at 10 a.m. at the Tribal Gym.