Sculptor Henry Deposit Dies at 79

Henry Deposit died at his home on October 3, 2026, following a short period of hospice care. The Seattle-based sculptor was 79 years old.

Deposit was born on August 22, 1947, on Whidbey Island. He spent his youth working in the family strawberry fields and swimming at Deer Lake. In the summer of 1962, as a teenager, he and three friends completed a 150 mile walk along the Whidbey coastline in under six days. The South Whidbey Record later noted the achievement.

Deposit graduated from Langley High School in 1965. He pursued a degree in sculpture at the University of Washington, though he had to drop out four times to work and save for tuition. He married Janine Ipsen in 1976 after meeting her in a bronze casting class. The couple purchased a house where Deposit converted the basement into a wood shop. He worked in that space for 50 years. He finally earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture in 1987. While a student, he took a job in the custodial department at the university. He retired from that role 31 years later as assistant director of custodial services.

In 1996, Deposit won the 18th Annual Betty Bowen Memorial Award for emerging artists associated with the Seattle Art Museum. The Seattle Times published an interview with him, and the museum acquired one of his pieces. His work evolved over the decades, shifting from dark, machine-like sculptures made of old fir lumber to pieces featuring bright primary colors and geometric forms. He also created three realistic table-size dollhouse dioramas. His sculptures are available for viewing at henrydeposit.com.

Deposit and his wife spent time canoeing on Lake Ozette and traveling across the country on Amtrak. He lived in a neighborhood he referred to as The Hood, where he walked daily to check on residents and collect dropped pennies. He was known locally as a fixture with 50 years of stories to share.

He is survived by his wife Janine, his brother Richard Deposit, his sister CD Deposit, his brother-in-law Brad Ipsen, his sister-in-law Connie Ayers, and various nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bill Deposit. Deposit expressed gratitude to his oncology team at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center for their care. Memorial contributions can be made to the Fred Hutch Cancer Center or any charity of choice. No formal service will be held.