Herbert Florian Canfield was so determined to enlist he endured sinus surgery requiring a five-week convalescence in order to qualify. He was still rejected twice before he passed and joined the United States Naval Reserve Force as chief quartermaster. (Arkansas Democrat, 14 Sep 1918, pg. 8.) Florian died on August 26, 1918, when his seaplane crashed into Biscayne Bay off the coast of Miami, Florida. His body was brought to Seattle and his funeral was held from the University Methodist Church where his was buried with military honors with a band from the Bremerton Navy Yard and a company from the local Aviation Camp in attendance and “Eddie Hubbard, in an airplane … circle[d] high above the grave during the burial service.” (Seattle Star, 4 Sep, 1918, pg. 5.) Letters from fellow fliers were read at the service with tributes to Herbert’s bravery, daring and fidelity. Herbert was buried in Seattle’s Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery. (bit.ly/uw_canfield)
Herbert registered for the draft in Schenectady, NY, where he was employed at General Electric Company. He accepted the position there following his graduation in 1916 from the UW with a degree in electrical engineering. His undergraduate thesis was titled “Automatic Temperature Control of Induction Water Heater” and he was member of Theta Chi Fraternity. Prior to enlisting he was involved with testing electric controls for the battleship New Mexico while at GE. Herbert was one of eight children born to Herbert Howe Canfield, a physician, and Ada Laughlin. Herbert was born in Siloam Springs, Arkansas and graduated from Seattle’s Lincoln High School. Six of the eight Canfield children attended the University of Washington.