West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Viewing, burial, and memorial dates are set for Andrew “Andy” L. Nelson, 95, and his family is sharing this remembrance with the community:
Andrew (Andy) Louis Nelson climbed his last mountain on Wednesday, November 23rd (just shy of his 96th birthday), at The Kenney in West Seattle. Andy was born in Seattle on December 10, 1920, to George Gedeon Nelson and Bertha Amelia Lindfors Nelson. Andy’s grandfather Andrew Nelson was a Swedish immigrant and pioneer in the Juanita area who built the Juanita School and the Modern Woodman Hall (Juanita Community Church). The Nelson family home, built by Andy’s grandfather at 100th NE & NE 132nd, was torn down in the 1970’s to make way for an Albertson’s grocery store.
Even at a young age Andy was an outdoor guy; he loved scouting and the mountains. There is some evidence that he even won a 1934 Seattle Model Sailboat Race at Green Lake.
Andy graduated from Lincoln High School in 1939 and then attended the University of Washington, graduating in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Having served in the UW ROTC program (Sept 1942), Andy entered the Army Air Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant in February 1944.
Andy served as an Electronics Officer during WWII instructing pilots on navigation systems. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon; America Theatre Ribbon; World War II Victory Medal as well as numerous commendations. Towards the end of WWII Andy was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. After his discharge from the Army, Andy was advised that as a Mathematics teacher he would not earn much money and he enrolled at the UW for a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Andy’s business career was at Boeing as an Engineer writing technical manuals for aeronautical applications.
As an Eagle Scout (1937), Andy gave back to the community in so many ways. He was a Life Member of the Mountaineers, Life Member of the UW Alumni Association (Go Dawgs!), Boy Scouts of America Troop #282 Leader (recognized for his over 60 years in scouting), West Seattle Lions Club, West Side Presbyterian Church and an all-around wilderness adventurer who shared his love of hiking and mountain climbing (he climbed Mt Rainier twice) with many. Andy “walked the walk; talked the talk” when it came to understanding the environmental issues in keeping “the great outdoors” great.
While Andy had no children of his own, his wife, the late Doris Isabella Powell Halliday Nelson, presented him with a family of stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, all who thoroughly enjoyed him. Doris and Andy spent many years traveling throughout the world – from Elder Hostels and UW trips across America to Europe to Australia; Antarctica; the Arctic; Africa; Asia; Central & South America, etc.
Andy is survived by his step-daughter Diane Halliday Longyear of Elko, Nevada, and her son Rick Longyear (also of Elko) and children/grandchildren; the children & family of her son Robert (deceased) Longyear; nephew William R. Powell of Chehalis; nieces Bonny Powell Taylor of Kent; Patricia Powell McGuire (Joe) of Manchester; and their families consisting of great- & great-great-nephews and -nieces.
The family would also like to acknowledge and thank longtime friends Gary Benson; Warren McKinstry; Paul Smith; Rev. Ron Rice; Stacy St. John; Ron Burke; and Bill Hart for their friendship, rides, stories, etc. We so appreciate your friendship with Andy and your stories! And a special thank you to all the past Troop 282 members. Last, but not certainly least, is a special thank you for the wonderful staff at The Kenney/Lincoln Vista and the Kline Galland Hospice – what a wonderful group of caring individuals!
The family requests that in lieu of flowers and in keeping with Andy’s pattern of giving, contributions in his memory to any of the following organizations would be appreciated: The Seattle Council Boy Scouts of America; West Seattle Senior Center; West Seattle Food Bank; Southwest Seattle Historical Museum; The Kenney Foundation; The Nordic Museum; or The Mountaineers.
A viewing will be held on December 1st from 11 am – 1 pm at Forest Lawn Funeral Home with military graveside service at 2 pm at Evergreen Washelli. Memorial service on December 9th at 11 am at West Side Presbyterian Church with reception to follow. Please visit forestlawn-seattle.com.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Five reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN PICKUP TRUCK: From Carrie:
Our 1989 Toyota long-bed, charcoal-gray pickup has been stolen. It has tinted windows, in good shape, a large stainless attached lock box (although they may have removed it already). Last parked on Walnut, 3200 block. License Plate C23495G.
PACKAGE THEFT: Just in from Paul:
I wanted to inform you of a stolen item off of our doorstep in Sunrise Heights.
The ski bindings (Marker Griffon 13 ID, 110mm, black) were delivered via UPS from Backcountry.com and dropped on our doorstep on 23.Nov at 12:36 pm (per the UPS tracking info). We had already left town for Thanksgiving. Between the delivery time and when we arrived home on 27.Nov at 12:30 pm, someone had opened the package and stole the item from the box. They left the empty box on our doorstep.
Ironically, I had texted our neighbor to pick up the box but they were not at home. So I knew I was taking a risk – unfortunately the gamble didn’t pay off.
CAR PROWL #1: Anonymous report:
Between Hudson and Dawson on 41st Ave SW. We left the neighborhood for a day or two on the Thanksgiving weekend and returned to a ransacked car. The villain tossed the whole car, but it looks like they were looking for something other than tissues, papers, pens, grocery bags and Bed Bath and Beyond coupons. No damage to locks or ignition. Looking for weed, perhap? Good luck with THAT!
CAR PROWL #2: Bradi reports a car prowl at 30th/Roxbury. Only one thing taken – a towel branded with the defunct Feedback Lounge’s logo.
CAR PROWL #3: Also earlier this holiday weekend, from Kirstin: “My car was also broken into … in the 3600 block of 48th Ave. Sunglasses, first aid kit, and a trunk full of stuff I was going to take to the Salvation Army truck.
Here’s a chance to include local students in your holiday-season giving:
Chief Sealth International High School is looking for some donations for its Closet which is stocked with school supplies, toiletries, clothing, and a food pantry for students in need. We’re hoping that as you shop the holiday sales, you might consider picking up and donating these items for the Closet:
* Women’s and Men’s underwear — all sizes Small – XXL and preferably boxer briefs for the men
* Women’s and Men’s socks — no-show and crew-style athletic socks, men’s dress socks, as well as fun and just plain everyday socks
* Plain white undershirts — all sizes
We can always use new or gently used:
* T-shirts and long-sleeve t-shirts
* Hoodies
* Athletic shorts and pants (these items don’t stay on our shelves long!)
* Warm winter coats
* Men’s suits in black, gray, or dark blue
You can drop by donations at the school’s front office anytime during the week, 8:30 am -4:30 pm. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Conley at lisalconley@hotmail.com.
Thank you! We’re grateful to our generous West Seattle community for its support of our students.
Sealth is at 2600 SW Thistle; the main entrance is up the stairs across the driveway from the northwest end of the parking lot.
Thanks for the sighting reports via e-mail and text: Orcas have passed Alki Point and are headed southbound!
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
West Seattle’s brightest Christmas lights, at the Menashe Family house (5605 Beach Drive SW), are going up right now, and got a boost today from the Junction-based crew of the Seattle Fire Department‘s Ladder 11.
Talk about a tree topper!
The big star that goes atop an ever-taller evergreen went up with the help of L11’s firefighters, much to the delight of onlookers of all ages. The Menashes tell us they’re planning to have the full display up by Thursday night (December 1st).
Santa Claus will be visiting again this year too – on Saturday, December 17th, bring a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank and take your photo with Santa under the lights, 6 pm-10 pm.
Thanks to the Pathfinder K-8 School wreath crew for sending the photo of Cole and Sadie, with this report:
Pathfinder is kicking off their annual wreath sale at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market today! All proceeds of these handmade, locally sourced wreaths go to help fund outdoor-education programs at Pathfinder K-8. Come on down and get into the holiday spirit! We’ll be here until 2 pm today.
As usual, you’ll find them on the southwest corner of California and Alaska. If you miss them today – they’ll be back 10 am-2 pm the next two Sundays, December 4th and 11th – OR you can order a wreath online by going here.
P.S. We’ll be updating this info in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – if you’re selling wreaths or trees, having a holiday bazaar/concert/activity/celebration that’s open to the public, etc., please be sure we have YOUR info too – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
The family of Doreen Gretchen (Mallory) Hammond, 88, is sharing this remembrance with the community:
Doreen Gretchen Hammond, a lifelong resident of West Seattle, was born September 4, 1928 in Seattle. Doreen passed away November 19, 2016 in West Seattle, her home for 88 years. Doreen was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, cousin, and friend. Doreen graduated from West Seattle High School in 1946. She was preceded in death by husband Harry Lloyd Hammond of Black Diamond; parents Dillon and Margaret Mallory; and her son Hal Jeffrey Hammond of Seattle. Surviving are daughter, Pamela Jean Hammond Miller (John); 3 grandchildren, Jason A Miller (April), Gretchen R Miller, and Brian Jeffrey Hammond (Natalie), all of Seattle; 6 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Margaret Hammond; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Hers was a Masonic family, with father, husband, son, and son-in-law either or both Masters or members of West Seattle Lodge 152 F&AM and the Nile Shrine. Doreen was a lifetime member and Past President of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #160 in West Seattle; many Masonic orders including 50 years at Chapter #241, Order of Eastern Star in Belfair. She and her husband resided in retirement at a summer home on Mason Lake. She was a “Masonic wife” with all that entailed, as the men in her life ran the chairs to WM at Alki Lodge in West Seattle and WP in Belfair Chapter 241 OES. Doreen was also a member of Daughters of the Nile and Ahmes. Her father, husband, son, and daughter all retired from the Seattle Engineering Department.
Remembrances may be made in Doreen’s name to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice. By her request, there will be no memorial service; arrangements by Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home in West Seattle.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
The holiday season seems to have brought an uptick in door-to-door soliciting in West Seattle – we’ve received several messages with concerns/questions in the past few days, like this one from Mark in Gatewood:
We had three separate attempts for solicitation over a two-hour period starting just after dark. We did not answer, but could see it was two men. Loud, insistent knocking.
We later called a neighbor who answered and were told they said they were from CenturyLink.
I know there have been other reports in the past about them, just wanted to give a heads up in case others were concerned or worried.
Very disconcerting. Amazing to think that any reputable company would send its employees out like that, after dark on a Friday night.
That’s the most common report we’ve been getting, but others have mentioned people trying to sell magazines. We have no way of telling you whether the person at your door is or is not legit, but here are some of the major rules about door-to-door selling in Seattle, which we recap every few months when the inquiries start peaking again:
*Door-to-door (residential) selling is allowed between 8 am-9 pm.
*The entity for whom the seller is working has to have a license, and the seller (agent) must have ID showing the license and the agent’s name: “All licensees and agents shall conspicuously display on their outer clothing their residential sales license or residential sales agent licenses when selling.” If you choose to open the door, ask to see it immediately: “Each residential seller or agent shall, immediately upon contacting the prospective buyer, disclose to the prospective buyer his/her name, company, and the product or service represented.”
*Solicitors are required to honor a “no soliciting” sign if you have one. Whether you do or don’t, they’re also required to honor this part of the code: “If requested to do so, (the agent) shall leave the premises immediately.”
Read the full set of rules by going here.. And note the city says they don’t apply to sellers of “newspapers, or fresh or perishable food items”; nor is a license required for a person who turns up at your door seeking charity donations.
If you do buy something from a solicitor, you have cancellation rights.
(Harlequin duck, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
It’s the quiet conclusion to the Thanksgiving weekend, but we do have a few things to mention for today. First, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
BUY YOUR PANCAKE BREAKFAST TICKET(S): Next Saturday (December 3rd) is a BIG day of holiday fun, and you’ll want to be fortified by starting your day at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle Pancake Breakfast. Buy your ticket(s) in advance TODAY at their West Seattle Farmers’ Market booth, at the south end of the market, on California just north of Alaska.
DUWAMISH NATIVE HOLIDAY-GIFT FAIR: It’s the final day of this don’t-miss holiday event at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, 10 am-4 pm, free, all ages. Buy directly from Native artists/craftspersons. Snacks/beverages available too. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
And from our year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Fresh vegetables, fruit, and much more – every Sunday year-round, 10 am-2 pm. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)
DONATE BOOKS: One more reason to stop by the mentioned-earlier Kiwanis Club booth at the market – this book-donation drive – last dropoff day today.
FOLK/AMERICANA MUSIC: Rocky Tallent performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
ALL-AGES OPEN MICROPHONE: Free, all-ages, at The Skylark, 4-7 pm – details here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
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