Mimi (Marilyn Jean) Summersby Feisst passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Washington, on the 29th of April after battling cancer for several months. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Annette and H. Samuel (Sam) Bartel, and husband Allan Feisst. Mimi is survived by son Scott Summersby and granddaughter Taylor of Florida, daughter Kristen Summersby, daughter Dana Brooks, son-in-law Jim Brooks, grandchildren Zachary, Zahn and Allyson, foster daughter Susan Tekola, son-in-law Fasil Tekola, grandchildren Tanesha, Sarra, Sophie and Nataly, sister Janet Deardorff and husband Jerry Deardorff, niece Molly, nephew Christopher, all of Washington, sister Susan Bartel and partner Lorraine Tarrant (of New Zealand), nephew Ian MacDonald (of Washington), and niece Sarah Bartel (of New Zealand).

Mimi’s first love was her family.

From special birthdays and holiday celebrations to everyday visits, family made her heart sing. Throughout her life, Mimi made every effort to create and capture special family memories. Her favorite travel adventures included the trips she shared with her children, sisters, and grandchildren. The trips with her family to the cabin near Snoqualmie were among her favorite outings over the years – she loved being surrounded by family and watching the grandkids experience wholesome outdoor fun.

Mimi’s love of travel was offered as a gift to her family – big trips and little trips, each one planned like a mission. There were historic trips, fun trips, scenic trips, relaxing trips…it didn’t matter if it was by train, plane, boat, car or bus, Mimi knew how to get there and what to do. She planned camping adventures, shopping trips, cultural trips, fishing excursions, skating outings, big-city trips, trips to dog races, trips to the biggest mall, the best county fairs, reindeer farms, corn mazes, afternoon tea, concert experiences and garage sales…every jaunt was a favorite – there was no such thing as just a trip with Mimi, every single one was special! And each one was recorded in the photos she took. In recent years, many trips were recorded in the personal photo books she created. She was our memory maker!

Her second love was travel, with an emphasis on Alaska. Mimi planned tours, booked tours, created custom tours, personally guided tours, and even processed tour records. She was the quintessential tour guide! Her in-depth knowledge of Alaska and her creativity made her the perfect visitor-relations representative – she was tireless! Mimi got up early and retired late; she wrote poems for travelers, took their photos, sent mementos of their trips. It was her personal goal to ensure her travelers were engaged, informed and went home happy. And they loved her! In 1986, Mimi was awarded the prestigious Gold Pan Award by the Alaska Visitors Association for her excellent service in Alaska tourism.

Mimi was a native of West Seattle and a life-long resident of Washington State. Life took her away at times, but Washington was home. After living in Washington, DC and having two of her children, Mimi returned to West Seattle, where she raised all three of her children and launched her successful career in travel and tourism. Eventually, she relocated to Puyallup where she finished her career with Alaska Airlines this winter.

While in Puyallup, Mimi held an honored role in the Red Hat Society as Queen of the Sans Souci Scarlet Chapter since 2006. Her volunteer work with the Red Hat Society allowed Mimi to serve her community and help many women in the organization, and it offered the perfect venue for Mimi to share her many wonderful talents and creativity with other women. She loved her involvement in the Red Hat Society and discovered many new friends through the group. She was a dedicated leader and enthusiastic member, and she remained active in the society through her illness. Her Red Hat friends will miss her friendship, her dedication to the Society, and her leadership.

A memorial service to honor Mimi’s life and share stories and memories with the family will be held on Sunday, May 20th at the Sanctuary at Admiral in West Seattle from 1:30 pm to 4 pm. For information on the location, please visit www.sanctuaryatadmiral.com.

Not everyone gets a Mimi in their life! All of us who knew and loved her are the lucky ones. Her absence is only softened by sharing her memory. Mimi will be missed deeply and forever by her family and friends.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

BOB OCHSNER, 1920-2012: The funeral Mass for Mr. Ochsner is planned for this Friday morning, according to the Times obituary, which you can read in its entirety here. He grew up in West Seattle, graduating from WSHS, and owned Bob Ochsner Cars for 55 years at locations including WS, and was active in organizations including the Rotary Club of West Seattle. His surviving family members include his wife of 59 years. The Friday morning Mass is at 11 am at Our Lady of Fatima, 3218 W. Barrett. You can sign the online memorial guestbook here.

GARY PUTMAN, 1954-2012: It’s been about a year since Mr. Putman’s fight against cancer led to the closure of his West Side Import Repair in The Triangle. Now, this week, comes word that he passed away. According to his Times obituary, Mr. Putman moved to Seattle in 1978 and worked at West Side for 33 years, starting as a mechanic before taking over the business. No memorial service is mentioned; instead, “a gift to your favorite charity or to cancer research” is suggested.

George Carfrae, 77, of West Seattle, passed away from complications related to Parkinson’s disease April 9, 2012. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family. George was born in Seattle January 2, 1935.

He graduated from West Seattle HS in 1953 and received an Associate’s degree from South Seattle Community College.

George married Joyce Thomason April 23, 1954. He worked as a cost estimator at Todd Shipyards and Foss Maritime and served in the US Army from 1957-1965. He enjoyed gardening, traveling and playing cribbage.

He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughters Carol Pennie (Jim) and Carrie Ferrulli, grandchildren Catherine, Michael, Victoria and William, his brother-in-law John B. Thomason (Barbara), and his sister Catherine Rhodes.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to his compassionate medical staff at Swedish Medical Center (Main and Cherry Hill campuses), Park West Skilled Nursing and The Kenney.

Funeral services will be held April 21, 2012, 1 pm, at Admiral Congregational in West Seattle. Donations can be sent in George’s memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or The Kenney Memory Care c/o The Kenney Foundation.

****

Following the service, please join our family for refreshments to celebrate George’s life at Carrie’s home, located at 4821 SW Spokane Street.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Angelina Marie Fuda passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and close friends, on 4-8-2012 of a cancer-related illness. Memorial Services will be held on Monday, 4-16, 10:30 am at Holy Rosary Parish in West Seattle. There will be a private burial at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle.

Angelina was born 1-21-1930 in Brookside, Colorado, to James and Mary Madonna. She moved to Seattle in the early 1940s, went to St Mary’s grade school, and on to Immaculate Conception for high school. While there, she met the love of her life, Felix Fuda, who she married in 1951. She left her job at the Mission Macaroni Factory in the early 1950s, when she was expecting her first child.

As the family expanded, they moved to West Seattle, to the same residence that they’ve been in for the past 56 years.

Angelina was active in the Church and community, where she served as a Den Mother of the Boy Scouts of America, O’Dea High School’s Mother’s Club President, and volunteer librarian at Holy Rosary School.

Her interests included spending time with family and friends, cooking with her husband, gardening, and crossword puzzles. She devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver to family members, including her mother until she passed away at age 99.

Over the years she enjoyed many great trips with her husband. They went to Yakima once a year to pick peppers; drove to Tonopah, Nevada, to visit family and friends; traveled to Italy in 1977 to visit her husband’s hometown Roccella; and went to Australia in 1998 and 2001 to visit family. While she liked to visit new places, her favorite place to be was around her dining room table, sharing stories and laughs with family and friends, and enjoying a home-cooked pasta dinner.

She is survived by Felix Fuda, her beloved husband of 61 years; their four children James (Pascale), Philip (Judy), Michael, and Kim (Tina); their four grandchildren Jimmy (Stacey), Kristi (Aaron), Chelsea (Matt), and Zachary; and five great-grandchildren – Kaily, Brooklyn, Colby, Gavin, and Abigail; and her brother Nick Madonna (Janice).

Her warm smile, kind heart, and generosity will always be remembered. She will be loved, cherished, and missed forever.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of a beloved wife, mother, daughter, and friend.

Nadine died unexpectedly on Friday, April 6th, 2012 at her home in West Seattle. She left her family and friends at the young age of 47.

Nadine was born in Spokane, Washington, but moved to Bothell, Washington, a short time later. At age 26, she married and would have been married 21 years this July.

She leaves behind her husband Bob Brongil, daughters Brita Brongil and McKenzie Walsh (Chris Walsh), parents Elke and Edward Heinz, brother David Heinz (Lisa Heinz), and several other loving friends and family.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Sunday, April 15th at 2 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Seattle Humane Society.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available/desired, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

She worked as a hypnotherapist and life coach, with her own business, Heliotrope Hypnosis Services. A friend shared the photo at left, showing Ms. Mills with her dog Ruby, who until Ruby’s recent death assisted her in volunteer therapy work, according to her website. Another friend of Ms. Mills tells us she also was studying to become a mixologist, adding, “Lisa lived life to the fullest and loved riding her motorcycle with her friends.” The preliminary report from Seattle Police says investigators think she “failed to negotiate a curve” at the Viaduct’s south end.

We have no information yet on a celebration of life or memorial fund, but have asked friends who contacted us to please let us know if and when those details become available, so that we can share it with the WSB community. (This mention on a news site in Bellingham, where Swamp Mama Johnson often played, says memorials will likely be held there and in Seattle.)

The Pacific Institute is saddened to report the passing of its Chairman and co-Founder, Lou Tice Sunday evening, April 1st, after a brief illness. Surrounded by his wife, Diane, and loving family and friends, Lou spent his final days challenging those around him to carry on with his life’s work – educating and empowering individuals all around the globe to an ever-greater commitment toward making “a better world.”

A memorial service celebrating the life of Lou Tice is scheduled for Friday, April 13th, at 10:00 am at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, 4212 S. Mead St., in Seattle.

Born in Seattle, Lou Tice began his professional career as a high school football coach. While at Kennedy High School in Burien, a summer course by a visiting professor at the University of Washington inspired him to create, with Diane his wife, the educational curriculum that would spread around the world.

The Pacific Institute, co-founded by Lou and Diane Tice in Seattle, formally began in 1971, and last year celebrated its 40th anniversary. Its varied curricula have been translated into 21 different languages, and the education has been brought to individuals and organizations in 62 countries around the world. With offices in London, Perth, Johannesburg, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul as well as Seattle, it is estimated that Lou’s education has touched over 33 million people around the world, and the ripple effect could be much greater.

From leaders of nations to professional and amateur athletes, teachers to students, prisons to the military, Lou Tice was a coach and mentor to so many. At a recent presentation, local businessman and former student, Dave Sabey said, “His professional life and private life are seamless. The network of friends he has around the world, the people that he’s helped around the world, it’s a very seamless life’s work and it’s difficult to separate the personal from the professional. It’s just Lou, about doing good, about educating people academically, spiritually and physically. That’s Lou’s life and I don’t think you can divide it into parts.”

Seattle Seahawks Coach, Pete Carroll, a long-time student of Lou’s teachings, has said, “He has been able to impact people in ways he will never be able to count. The thing that Lou does is he gives people hope, of taking charge of their life, of making it a better life, and in that he uplifts them and inspires. He has been responsible for people turning around and making change that they never would have made otherwise. He’s responsible for tremendous fulfillment of individuals everywhere; that’s a great accomplishment in a lifetime. He’s very, very special.”

Among many other accomplishments and events, Mr. Tice coordinated an extraordinary gathering of “Bunker Hill heroes,” featured in this 2009 WSB story (which includes him in a photo), written by the late West Seattle historian Ron Richardson. Mr. Tice was 76 years old.

Diane Amalea Laxton, born May 18, 1957 in West Seattle, Washington, passed away peacefully March 23, 2012, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Diane was born and raised in West Seattle, attending Gatewood Elementary, Madison Middle School and graduating from West Seattle High, class of 75. After graduation, Diane held numerous jobs, most notably at Pemco Insurance, where she spent thirty-two years. Recently, Diane was employed at Butter London.

Diane’s most challenging, yet rewarding role, was caring for others. Over the years, Diane cared for her grandfather, spent twelve years caring for her two nephews, and would be at a friend’s side in a moment’s notice. Compassionate, gracious, loving, warm hearted and generous are just a few adjectives that exemplified who Diane was.

Diane was a tomboy at heart, growing up with two brothers and in a neighborhood full of boys. She loved all things outdoors, whether it was tending to her roses, designing and building her cherished koi pond, to camping, watching baseball, fishing, and boating. One of Diane’s favorite pastimes was shopping, which she was quite good at. Diane, with her mom usually at her side, would often shop for hours and never passed up a sale. Diane also found great pleasure in traveling and beachcombing. She truly enjoyed the serenity of the ocean waves along with collecting the everyday treasures found amongst the many beaches she visited.

Diane met the love of her life, Jon Mahon, in 1996. Their mutual passion for cruising brought them together, and over the years they traveled many miles with one another. Jon’s three children were so loved by Diane, and she treasured spending time with each of them. When grandkids came along, Diane could not have been more ecstatic.

Diane was a firm believer in community and a dedicated member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Diane twice served as an officer of the Auxiliary and enjoyed the Eagles for not only the social aspect but for the charitable giving. Diane epitomized the fraternity’s motto, “People Helping People.”

Diane is survived by her mother Janice Laxton, brothers Richard and Thomas Laxton, fiancé Jon Mahon, and numerous extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Swedish Cancer Institute or to the Fraternal Order of Eagles’ Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund.

The Eagles’ Aerie is at 4426 California SW.
(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photo to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Dorothy was born March 6, 1919, to Alexander and Catherine MacKinnon. Dorothy moved to West Seattle on her marriage to John in 1945. She lived on Chilberg Avenue SW for 66 years. She entered into the presence of her heavenly Father on March 9, 2012.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John, and 3 brothers: Allister, Jack and Donald. She had 3 children: Catherine (James), John (Carolyn), and Heather (James). She had 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service is planned at First Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Details to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to First Presbyterian Church, Missions Fund, 1013 8th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, or Washington State Services for the Blind.

(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photo to editor@westseattleblog.com)

At the age of 91 on March 15, 2012, surrounded with the love and care of his family, John peacefully passed away.

He was born in Wallace, ID in 1921 and raised on a farm in Harrison, ID. His family lived in a log cabin his father built from trees felled on the farm. John was graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in Business and Accounting. It was in Spokane where John met the love of his life, Frances Fagan, a nursing student from Sacred Heart (Spokane). After John’s graduation, he and Frances were married, and shortly thereafter in 1943 he shipped off to Army Basic Training in service to his country. He qualified as a Marksman with the M-1 rifle and received the American Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. After WW II ended, John was stationed at Fort Lewis. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946. He and his young bride then decided to make their home on Alki Avenue in West Seattle.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, John began work for a nationally recognized accounting firm, but soon opened his own accounting office in White Center above the Roller Rink. It was through that business that he met his lifelong friend, mentor, and fellow Holy Family (Seattle) parishioner AJ, a real estate developer. John first did accounting work for AJ and then entered the building business himself. A recent card from AJ touched on their 60-year-long and devoted deep friendship for each other by stating, “the teacher learned from the student.”

John built the 48-unit Mercer Manor and Mercer Tower apartments on Mercer Island, The 54-unit Riverside West apartments in South Seattle, the 32-unit Somerset West apartments in Burien, the 33-unit Admiral Triplexes in West Seattle, and the 33-unit Northgate and Linden Triplexes in North Seattle; a scattering of hundreds of houses and triplex homes throughout West Seattle and the north and south ends of Seattle. Cards and letters would routinely arrive from his tenants thanking him for being such a wonderful, considerate and caring landlord. John was a compassionate man and cared enormously about people, he always treated them with respect. He gave selflessly of his time, talent and treasure to his church, his Alma Mater Gonzaga University, and many, many other charities.

But more than a builder, his strong and unwavering faith carried him through the good times as well as difficult times that life would present. More than a builder of homes and apartments, he was a builder of family. John leaves behind a dedicated loving family and a tirelessly devoted and loyal wife of 68 1/2 years, Frances Fagan Nitkey; his six children, Dan Nitkey, Joan Kocharhook (Steve), Susan Griffin, Frances Kahler (Rick), Kathy Hostenske and Larry Nitkey (Carla); his 16 Grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his mother and father Andrew L Nitkey and Mary Louise Champagne Nitkey, and his sisters Mary Etta Parrott (Don) and Evelyn Nitkey.

The Nitkey family would like to thank Providence Mount St. Vincent for the loving care they provided our father and ALL of our supportive friends and family for their kind words, thoughts and prayers. Remembrances can be made to Providence Mount St. Vincent (The Mount) and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

A rosary will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Funeral Mass will be held at 12 noon in Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe is located at 7000 35th Avenue SW in West Seattle. Interment and burial at Holyrood in Shoreline will follow a reception celebrating John’s life with us.

(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photo to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Geraldine Patricia Haddenham (81) passed away peacefully February 27, 2012, at the Washington Veterans Home in Retsil. Pat was born in Seattle on November 20, 1930, to Laura (Evans) and Walter Everts. She grew up in West Seattle, and stayed in West Seattle until 1990, when she moved to Bremerton.

She married Edward Haddenham on November 8, 1951. She was preceded in death by her daughter Penny and her stepson Larry, her parents, sisters Mary and Jessi, and brothers Walter and George. Pat loved to play bingo and loved to “WIN,” and hated to lose! Pat belonged to West Seattle Eagles for over 40 years. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Edward; children Linda (Lester) Dent, Terry (Susie) Haddenham, Ray (Barbara) Haddenham, Wayne (Tina) Haddenham, Lyle (Kay) Haddenham, Cathy Haddenham; ten grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and her sister Adele (Everts) Taylor.

A memorial will be held at the West Seattle Eagles, March 25th at 2 pm, with a private internment at Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the charity of your choice.

(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photo to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Kathleen Anne Nickels of Seattle passed away on March 11, 2012 after a heroic 15-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Kathleen Anne McKenney was born July 15, 1929, in Dixon, Illinois. She was the third of five children born to George Jerome McKenney and Helen Bernice Ryan. George worked for the Illinois Central Railroad and Helen was a public-school teacher.

After graduating from Dixon High School, Kathie attended St. Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford and did her residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. While in Chicago she met Robert Nickels and they were married January 23, 1954 in Dixon.
The couple lived first in Chicago, where their first child, Gregory James, was born. In early 1956 they moved to Erie, Pennsylvania where three additional children were born: John Mark, Peter Robert and Amy Beth. Kathleen was very active in church activities in Erie.

The family moved in 1961 to Seattle, Washington, and the family settled first in West Seattle where Kathleen was active in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Guild. After the births of Paul Martin and Thomas Joseph, the family moved to a larger house in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and Kathleen became an active member of St. Joseph’s Parish.

In addition to raising her five sons and sole daughter, Kathleen found time to continue her nursing career at Swedish Hospital, the Stroh allergy clinic and the King County youth detention infirmary. She also operated a small interior decorating business for many years.

Kathleen enjoyed painting, playing the guitar and tennis. She was also active in local politics, chairing the campaign of 43rd District Representative Bill Burns and encouraging her eldest son’s interest in politics. She was a dedicated volunteer and Board Member at the Friends of Harborview Medical Center and helped out at a local methadone treatment facility.

When Kathleen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 1997, one of her first acts was to volunteer for medical studies being done by the University of Washington at Seattle’s Veterans Hospital.

Kathleen spent the final seven years of her life in the loving care of the staff at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle. Kathleen was known throughout the Mount for her still undiminished personality, her many walks around the building and her enthusiastic singing.

Kathleen’s beloved husband of 53 years, Robert, passed away in 2007. She was predeceased by her brother, Edward “Bud” McKenney, and is survived by her loving sisters, Mary Wahl, Elizabeth Herrmann, and Helen Reeser. Kathleen is also survived by her six children and their spouses; Tom & Manrita, Paul, Amy & Steve, Pete, Mark, Greg & Sharon; and by 16 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that remembrances be made to the Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation – Kathleen Nickels Music Fund, or the Friends of Harborview.

A Memorial & Celebration of Kathleen’s life will take place on Sunday, March 18, at 1:00 PM at Providence Mount St. Vincent, 4831 35th Avenue SW in West Seattle.

(September 2009 photo courtesy of Schmitz Park Elementary parent Erik)
His grandparents figured prominently in West Seattle history – and he often volunteered his time to educate others about it. Alan Schmitz – shown above in a WSB reader photo from 2009, talking with students at Schmitz Park Elementary – has died at the age of 77. Mr. Schmitz’s obituary was circulated by the Rotary Club of West Seattle, which granted our request for permission to publish it:

Alan Schmitz was the grandson of West Seattle pioneers Ferdinand and Emma Schmitz, and the son of Dietrich and Peggy Schmitz. Alan was born on 11-25-1934 at Swedish Hospital, and he died in West Seattle on March 9, 2012, of a bone-marrow disorder. Alan was a lifelong West Seattle resident.

Alan attended Alki Elementary, Madison Junior High, and West Seattle High School class of 1953. Alan graduated from the University of Washington in 1957 and belonged to Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Alan achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, Alki Troop 283; he later became a Scoutmaster with Troop 281.

Alan skippered his family’s sailboat, the schooner SUVA, for many years.

Alan’s career began in banking, investments and small businesses; in his later years, he became an aerobics and fitness instructor for senior citizens at community centers. Alan was very involved with the West Seattle Rotary for over 30 years, and had been a member of the Seattle Yacht Club and the Rainier Club.

Alan is survived by his daughter, Julie Schmitz and her fiancé Dr. Grant Broker, of Houston, Texas; his son Dietrich Schmitz and wife Mary Howland Schmitz, grandchildren Ilse Schmitz and Gunnar Schmitz of West Seattle; his sister Gloria S. Brinton Davis of West Seattle, many nieces/nephews/cousins, and his former wife Vicki Schmitz Block.

The family is extremely grateful to all of his physicians, nurses and caregivers at the Providence Mt. St. Vincent Center, and to Dr. William Hammond and staff at the Minor & James Medical Clinic.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 17th at 4 pm, at Alki UCC Church, 6115 SW Hinds.

(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photo to editor@westseattleblog.com)

On February 29, 2012, we said goodbye to Bob Hallberg, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Born in Tacoma on March 1, 1923 to Lucyle Nick and Robert Hallberg, Bob spent his childhood near Puget Sound. His deep love for the natural world stemmed from his early years with his Boy Scout family, especially at Camp Parsons on Hood Canal.

Eventually his family settled in West Seattle, where he met Ada Woodhouse, his Alki girl and future wife. Bob graduated from West Seattle High School, University of Washington and then Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy. He served in WWII.

Bob and Ada were married in 1948 and spent a short time away in Iowa and California with National Civil Defense. He was present for the atomic bomb test in the Nevada desert. Within a few years they returned to “God’s country”: Alki and Puget Sound.

They filled the Angeline Street house with the laughter of five children: Robert III, Nancy, Tia, Per, and Alyson. In the summer, the family spent lazy days at the Woodhouse family cabin on Case Inlet. Bob was well known by the dozens of cousins for his terrifying telling of the local ghost story about the ill-fated Pearl.

Most of his career was spent with the Washington State Dairy Products Commission in advertising. In 1986 Bob retired, but his love of milk, butter, ice cream, cows, and dairy farmers never waned. After retiring, he had more time to visit the SAM and the Frye, interested in every detail of the paintings and the artists. He and his dear friend Ed manicured his garden daily, and in the evenings he traveled the world with Rick Steves while awaiting a family visitor for a game of Chinese checkers and a shared vintage scotch.

We enjoyed our father and marveled at his capacity to remember the peaks of the Olympics and the museums of the world. His keen memory supported many contributions to local historical archives. He was an irreverent prankster, a teller of tales, and no matter how long he lived, it would not have been long enough for his family and friends.

Bob is survived by brother Richard (Mary Ruth), Ada, his wife of 63 years, their children Robert, Nancy (Peter Junkerman), Tia (Bob Gagner), Alyson (Mike Langen), and seven grandchildren: Sayre, Nerissa, Eliza (Blake Webb), Eric, Per, Keitaro, and John. His sister Jan Harrison and son Per William preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at Alki UCC at 6115 SW Hinds on Sunday, March 18th at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alki UCC, The Southwest Seattle Historical Society, or Habitat for Humanity.

(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photo to editor@westseattleblog.com)

This morning, Amy e-mailed to share the news that Mr. Bourne died suddenly last weekend. She included the link to this website mentioning that family and friends were gathering for a small formal funeral this morning, with a larger celebration-of-life event being planned for later. Checking WSB archives, we also had mentioned Mr. Bourne several times when running and re-running a memorable photo of the Alki Statue of Liberty, pre-Plaza, that he shared back in 2007:

Mark Bourne was just 50 years old.