Herbert Lane Apassingok

While attending UPT, he played his favorite sport basketball and was awarded MVP in intercollegiate basketball. He represented himself in a way he would never be forgotten during his time there and made lifelong friends.

Herb was adventurous, bold, outgoing, & was an athletic daredevil. He loved the outdoors and spent as much time out there as much as he could with his family and friends, all while “Riding the Life.” Herb lived his life at full speed, climbing every part of the mountain where no man has ever climbed for the thrill, creating Herby made avalanches; enjoyed riding with his buddies, and teaching his son how to ride. He loved doing back flips like it was a sport, teaching his family members to do them as well with patience.

He was a provider & successful hunter. He enjoyed teaching his children and younger family members about our subsistence lifestyle. He loved fishing. Well, he loved anything and everything to do with subsistence. He loved traveling, loved the land and sea. Qamu once asked him, “What mammal lives on both land & sea?” He looked with confusion until she said “Herbert Apassingok.”

Herb fulfilled his dream of providing, building, and creating his dream home with Qamu & kids in 2019; His next dream was to build a cabin near a river to fish, and an area for his family to go picking. He always made sure to take along his favorite constant comment tea with 10 heaping spoonsful of sugar. He went on countless SAR trips, and at times, going by himself. He always took smart, calculated risks, and always made sure everyone was okay with the help they needed. He was an all-around team player- out hunting, around the community, & was always loved helping anyone in need.

He often thought of his older brother Naay Boolowon and longed for him to watch his children. He knew how much he would love them as their own. He also often thought of his younger brother, Naay-Naay Apasengaq. He would always reminisce of their adventures and the love he had for his kids.

Herb enjoyed learning, understanding, and listening to his dad’s words of wisdom, loved his mom’s food but loved her more. He loved his siblings very much and tried to protect & teach them to the best of his ability. He loved his nieces and nephews so much, always very fond of their accomplishments and often shared to others. He was very proud with everything they did. Herb was known as Son-Son to his closest family. He grew up close with his cousins from both sides and considered them as his bros. Throughout Herb’s lifetime, he gained many, many friends from near and far.

Although he had a love for his family, he made an even greater love- a family of his own. He fell in love with his best friend, Qamu on December 13. 2009. Together they raised two beautiful babies: Lena & Alex. He loved them so deeply and did everything together from movie nights to picking greens as a family, and everything in between. Herb enjoyed traveling the world with his best friends. Herb often told his close friends that he loved his wife so much, he had to marry her three times. Herb showed his love through physical affection, even sweating so much because he loved so much. His love was so immaculate; his family meant everything to him.

Herb was survived by his wife Qamu, his panik Lena, his sonny boy Alex; His loving parents Merle & Pani; Siblings Uki, Tefli-Gurl, & Alejandro; Nieces Brandi (Baby-Honey), Ipi & Leilani; Nephews Ryder & Oll; Grandfather Bruce Boolowon; Parental and maternal family members, In-Laws Kunuka & family, Tup & Nayek, and grandmother in law Akawen.

Herby is preceded in death by his two brothers-Shannon Naay-Naay Boolowon, and Shannon Naay-Naay Apasengaq; Grandparents Iyaaka & Sivaaya; Grandmother Isikwha; Uncle Aghpuuk; favorite Bobby Angu Boolowon; Anaana Aqet; Grandfather in law Angaaya; Grand uncle Asaaggaq and wife Ayungisi.