Obituary for Rein Magi
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and teammate has passed-away.
Rein Magi
October 6, 1938, Saaremaa, Estonia - October 11, 2020, Whidbey Island, WA
Rein departed for his last journey from his home, with his wife, Merike, by his side.
He was a longtime Portland resident, and an active member of the Estonian community, especially in sports, folk dance, and social gatherings. Rein's family lived on the Estonian island of Saaremaa until 1944, as refugees in Displaced Person camps of Germany's American zone until 1949, and in Newberg and Tigard, Oregon, thereafter. Rein attended Fowler Middle School, Tigard High School, and Portland State University, where he majored in English. In 1961 he was drafted to the US Army. He was then deployed to Augsburg, Germany, in response to the Berlin Crisis. Rein went on to serve in the Army Reserves, where he would serve out a 35-year career. Ultimately, he was the Command Sergeant Major of the 104th Division, then based in Vancouver, Washington.
In his civilian life, Rein worked in the Washington County Department of Justice as a Juvenile Probation Officer. In the justice system and the Army alike, Rein graciously taught and empowered the youth. Near the end of his career, he became a father; his heartfelt leadership was always gentle, kind, and good-humored.
Like his parents, Rein enjoyed creative, constructive pursuits. He truly could build or fix anything. He spent his retirement with Merike in Washington, tending to a hobby farm in Monroe and finally enjoying the Whidbey Island coastline.
He is survived by his wife, Merike Mägi, children, Aleks and Tiiu Mägi, and siblings, Martin Mägi and Anne Mägi Poole. He was also blessed with two grandsons, Markus Mägi (born 2019), and Oskar Uku Morlier (born 2012).
He will be laid to rest at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville, Washington on Saturday, November 7th at 3pm.
Arrangements have been made with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service.
Rein Magi
October 6, 1938, Saaremaa, Estonia - October 11, 2020, Whidbey Island, WA
Rein departed for his last journey from his home, with his wife, Merike, by his side.
He was a longtime Portland resident, and an active member of the Estonian community, especially in sports, folk dance, and social gatherings. Rein's family lived on the Estonian island of Saaremaa until 1944, as refugees in Displaced Person camps of Germany's American zone until 1949, and in Newberg and Tigard, Oregon, thereafter. Rein attended Fowler Middle School, Tigard High School, and Portland State University, where he majored in English. In 1961 he was drafted to the US Army. He was then deployed to Augsburg, Germany, in response to the Berlin Crisis. Rein went on to serve in the Army Reserves, where he would serve out a 35-year career. Ultimately, he was the Command Sergeant Major of the 104th Division, then based in Vancouver, Washington.
In his civilian life, Rein worked in the Washington County Department of Justice as a Juvenile Probation Officer. In the justice system and the Army alike, Rein graciously taught and empowered the youth. Near the end of his career, he became a father; his heartfelt leadership was always gentle, kind, and good-humored.
Like his parents, Rein enjoyed creative, constructive pursuits. He truly could build or fix anything. He spent his retirement with Merike in Washington, tending to a hobby farm in Monroe and finally enjoying the Whidbey Island coastline.
He is survived by his wife, Merike Mägi, children, Aleks and Tiiu Mägi, and siblings, Martin Mägi and Anne Mägi Poole. He was also blessed with two grandsons, Markus Mägi (born 2019), and Oskar Uku Morlier (born 2012).
He will be laid to rest at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville, Washington on Saturday, November 7th at 3pm.
Arrangements have been made with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service.