Man found dead by side of road in Arbor Heights

A startling discovery on 41st near 102nd in Arbor Heights this morning: A body. After hearing about it from a neighbor, we went over and found a police officer who would only say that the person was male and that there was no indication of foul play. We have since heard from the person who found the body; she says, “I was walking my dogs and came across a deceased elderly gentleman on the side of the road on 41st Ave SW. The Police hadn’t been able to identify him at that time. I don’t know if it would be helpful to put something in the blog to try to find out who he is. The incident number is 18-307749 and the officer was Officer Fleming.”

Sheila G August 18, 2018 (2:15 pm)

This is very sad. Rest in peace.

CM August 18, 2018 (10:59 pm)

Aw this makes me so sad that he didn’t have anyone there to be with him when he passes. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

JAH August 19, 2018 (7:30 am)

This story made me call my grandpa, to make sure it wasn’t him. He lives and does his morning walks in Arbor Heights. When he picked up the phone, I told him, “it’s good to hear your voice.” My thoughts and prayers go out to this man and his family who won’t be hearing his voice anymore. Rest In Peace.

Cheryl August 19, 2018 (8:09 am)

How terribly sad. May he Rest In Peace.

HS August 19, 2018 (11:52 am)

My condolences to family and friends as well as a kind hug to the woman who found him as that must have been a bit frightening. I don’t know, it was a beautiful day, enjoying a walk outside… not a terrible way to go in my book.

Mitch August 19, 2018 (12:51 pm)

It’s possible that this was a good death. Not without sadness, but the kind of death we all hope for; fast and painless, after a long life well-lived, still fit enough to take a Sunday stroll on a beautiful summer morning, in a neighborhood you call home, and by some enormous and wild trees like the ones on that corner. My guess is that he was walking to church. But we don’t know. And until we do know more, I’m choosing the life well-lived story over the lonely old man dying alone one, and hoping I’ll be as lucky.

susie ostrander August 19, 2018 (1:04 pm)

Mitch, I love your take on it and I choose your story as well. If it was my neighbor, it was a life well lived and given he was a very religious man, maybe he was walking to church.
Alki resident August 19, 2018 (1:29 pm)

Mitch that was beautiful. Thank you for that perspective.
HS August 19, 2018 (3:03 pm)

Ditto on being well said :)
David August 21, 2018 (12:00 am)

I second this.

susie ostrander August 19, 2018 (1:02 pm)

how terribly sad is right. Makes me think of my neighbor….. he lives on Marine View Drive in the 112th block who walks every afternoon,. He walks a fairly good distance albeit slowly and he’s quite hunched over. I am blanking on his name (it starts with a C – Colin?) and he started an orphanage in Mexico many years ago with his now deceased wife and still spends many months there a year.I hope it isn’t him, but regardless – Godspeed.

Alki Resident August 19, 2018 (3:26 pm)

Susie, I see him all the time driving home. Please let us know if you find out who it was. My condolences go out to his family.
Jill Pagano August 20, 2018 (7:06 pm)

Susie, his name is Cory. We visit him often on our walks. A lovely gent.

Mj August 19, 2018 (1:39 pm)

Mitch well stated.

Elle August 19, 2018 (3:17 pm)

Do we have a name of the man? I live in Arbor Heights and would like to offer my condolences if I know the family.

Christine Heib-Ishitani August 19, 2018 (8:32 pm)

Sad to hear about the elderly gentleman. Mitch, beautiful, and well worded. My little take on the situation is that as a community it also helps us all if we are a bit more attentive to our neighborhood, If you see something that looks wonky or suspicious, then check it out, If we see anyone sitting in one place to long, check on them and see if they are okay. Especially if they are elderly, disabled, a child that looks lost or scared, and of course pets as well.As a community I have to say that it is very comforting to log on to my Neighborhood and see that we are all noticing and putting out announcements on things that we see and notice. I don’t know of anywhere else that I have lived that has such a close community. I guess my point is that we all be more aware of our surroundings while we are out walking around, or bicycling, and yes even driving around. And the question for me is if the elderly man was discovered earlier could he have been saved? Just my thoughts.Thank you Neighbors!

Andrew August 20, 2018 (1:29 pm)

Sorry to hear this news. That’s how my great Grandpa Andy Mead went…on the way to daily mass.

Penney August 20, 2018 (3:56 pm)

Sadly this gentleman was found in front of my neighbor’s house. I talked with the police on Saturday, but I was unable to identify him. This afternoon my husband saw an older woman standing in the street. He went out to talk with her. She said the man was her husband. He had gone out for a run and didn’t come home. (This explains why he was laying perpendicular to the street. He must have sat down when he wasn’t feeling well.) His wife assumed when he didn’t come home on time that he had stoped to rip out blackberries, as he often did throughout the neighborhood. As sad as this situation is, I find peace in knowing he was doing what he enjoyed on a beautiful Saturday morning.

WestJ August 20, 2018 (4:33 pm)

Thank you for the details. It is comforting to know that he went out for customary exercise on a beautiful summer morning, enjoying his peace and quiet time before his tragic event occurred. I hope it was quick and painless. My condolences to his family.

furiouskitty August 20, 2018 (7:33 pm)

Thank you for the update, Penney. I live on 42nd/102nd and routinely spend time at a friend’s house on 41st/102nd. I have often seen an older gentleman running in the neighborhood. I saw him Saturday morning per usual, running in his white hat on 41st. Seeing him as I was heading out to start training for my own running goals made me feel a jolt of happiness and inspiration. RIP neighbor.

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