Spring 2012 Footnotes: In Memoriam

JEAN PEEBLER COBB CC ’48 died December 19, 2011, at the age of 84. Born in Medford, Oregon, she moved with her family to Albany, Oregon, where she attended all of her school years through high school. She met Art Cobb at a church youth activity, was properly introduced by the pastor’s wife, enjoyed a two-year courtship during World War II, and was married. Following a year at Cascade, she devoted herself to raising four children and working alongside Art in a number of pastorates in Oregon and Washington. She typed countless bulletins, taught Sunday school, cleaned churches, helped with women’s groups, sang in the choir, and opened the Cobb home home to visitors. After she and Art retired, Jean continued an active role in the Pacific Conference of the Evangelical Church and was known for an unfailing sense of humor and faithful prayers. She enjoyed crocheting, doing crossword puzzles, and watching Portland Trailblazers basketball. Jean is survived by her husband of 65 years; her children; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a sister.

 

 

DONLEY “DON” DAMON ’57 died January 2, 2012, at the age of 76. Active in choir and men’s quartets while at Seattle Pacific College, Don graduated and embarked on a 37-year career with the Seattle public schools as elementary teacher, counselor, and principal. He received his start by being hired as a beginning teacher at an SPC career fair, and married his SPC sweetheart, DARLEEN PICKELL DAMON ’58. Don enjoyed directing choirs at several Free Methodist churches in the Seattle area. He is survived by his wife of 54 years; four children, including RICHARD DAMON ’84, DIANE DAMON SUNDE ’85, and SHERYL DAMON a master’s degree student at SPU; and six grandchildren.

CHARLES “CHUCK” HAWLEY ’73 died September 29, 2011, at the age of 59. Born in Oakland, California, he grew up on the East Coast and in England due to his father’s naval career. Known as a cheerful and compassionate man, Chuck graduated from Seattle Pacific and began an administrative career in long-term health care for the elderly. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington, where he later taught classes in long-term care policy, and was executive director of the nonprofit Washington Association of Homes for the Aging. In 1987, he was hired by what is now Providence Health and Services as vice president of long-term care and continuum development to bring his expertise to the multi-state health care system. He was one of the visionaries to pioneer the concept of assisted living in Washington state and thereby help change how care for the elderly is provided. Chuck served as vice president of both government and public affairs for Providence before his retirement in 2009. In 2010, he completed a master’s degree in pastoral studies in preparation for service as a chaplain in long-term care settings, where he enjoyed serving for the next year until the reoccurrence of cancer. In his honor, Providence has named its conference center in Renton, Washington, the Hawley Center. Chuck is survived by his wife, Gail; a son; a daughter; two step-children; seven grandchildren; a brother, FRED HAWLEY JR. ’91; and two sisters, including NANCY HAWLEY LORGE ’79.

MARY HURD ’40 died January 25, 2012, at the age of 94. Bright and personable, she enjoyed traveling the world and serving as a member of Seattle’s First Free Methodist Church, the SPU Sigma Rho service honorary, Seattleans, and the Blue Ridge Orthopedic Guild. A woman of faith and friendship, she carved a career as a secretary at Houghton College in New York and at SPU before becoming personal secretary to Theiline McCone, the wife of former CIA director John McCone. Mary and Jim, her husband of 54 years (deceased), were loyal friends and supporters of SPU. She is survived by daughters Shari and MIMI HURD CARLSON ’68.

DAVID ISHII ’57 died March 1, 2012, at the age of 76. The youngest of seven siblings, and without a parent able to care for him, he was raised as a “community child” by the nursing staff at Swedish Hospital. After World War II, he attended SPC, where he studied political science and ran track, and after graduation worked for The Seattle Times advertising department and Seattle Magazine. A downtown Seattle institution, he ran a secondhand bookstore and mecca for Asian-American writers called David Ishii Bookseller in historic Pioneer Square. David, who also spent several years on the boards of different arts organizations, became a business legend for refusing to take credit cards but allowing cashless strangers to take books if they promised to send a check. He enjoyed personal interactions, telling stories, and hand-selling books, but also cultivated a passion for opera, movies, dance, baseball, and fly-fishing. David is survived by two brothers; two sisters; and 15 nephews and nieces.

DOROTHEA “DORY” HURST KEARNEY ’50 died February 5, 2011, at the age of 84. Born in Shelton, Washington, the summa cum laude graduate in psychology met the love of her life at Seattle Pacific College. She married Joe Kearney and they enjoyed 60 years together before he died in 2010. Dory helped Joe achieve his doctorate from the University of Washington, including a brief return to social work to support the family during his studies. Though not an athlete herself, Dory attended sporting events of every kind during Joe’s tenure as commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference. The hours she spent in stadiums and arenas allowed her to become a reasonable authority on the subject of sports. She also helped create a community among coaches’ wives and bloomed as an ambassador of goodwill at universities across the country. Dory tutored university athletes and traveled with Joe in his work as chair of the U.S. Olympic Committee to Games in Seoul, Sidney, and Barcelona. She was a beloved grandmother on the go to 11 grandchildren for whom she made cinnamon rolls, cookies, and birthday boxes. Dory is survived by five children, including SHAWN KEARNEY BASSHAM ’82, and 11 grandchildren.

CAROL KREFTING-YOUNGBERG ’71 died November 29, 2011, at the age of 93. She was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, but lived in Kirkland, Washington, for more than 65 years. Carol delayed her undergraduate degree until after her three children were raised. She taught elementary school and memoir writing for an adult education program. An avid gardener, she was a long-time garden club member who loved filling large gardens with flowers and berries. A proud Norwegian, she was a charter member of the Daughters of Norway and enjoyed creating Norwegian food specialties. Likewise an avid sewer, she spent her late 70s making cloth dolls. Carol’s pottery designs were something special. Family and friends were happy beneficiaries of the unique dolls, food, and pottery. Independent, warm, and informed, she was ever passionate about helping people learn. Carol is survived by Carl, her husband of 68 years; a daughter; a son; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

HERLWYN LUTZ ’55 died January 12, 2012, at the age of 77. Born in Salt Lake City, he grew up in Wyoming, Kentucky, and Illinois before hitchhiking west to Seattle at age 17. He became an Army medic before heading to SPC, where he earned a degree in zoology. With subsequent teacher certification, he taught grades five and six. By 1993, he lived on Orcas Island with his wife, was a teaching substitute at Orcas High School, and was an avid arborist and certified master gardener. A lover of music, Herlwyn enjoyed singing and his tenor/bass was a staple in the Orcas Choral Society for 16 years. Noted for his cheerful spirit, open-hearted generosity, and volunteerism, it was a common sight to see him tending a roadside community park, mowing the lawn of an elderly neighbor, or delivering food to someone in need. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of 49 years; three sons; and a daughter.

MILDRED SMITH ROWLAND ’41 died October 13, 2011, at the age of 97. A descendant of Oregon Trail pioneers, she was born in College Place, Washington, and raised on a large peach orchard farmed by her parents in Penawawa, Washington. Mildred was known for a strong Christian faith, and a life spent in the service of others. Even in her final days, she sewed baby blankets to donate to mothers in need. She is survived by her four children; many grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. Her many nieces and nephews who graduated from Seattle Pacific include DEWEY BEEGLE ’38, the son of the beloved professor for whom Beegle Hall is named.

 

 

BARBARA HOUSE SAFSTEN ’56 died November 1, 2011, at the age of 76. Born in Tacoma, Washington, she graduated from Olympia High School. Barbara worked as a fisheries technician and was a member of Harper Evangelical Church. She took an active role in several women’s programs at the church, and in youth camps and a Bible conference. Barbara liked camping, hiking, and boating; she also collected dolls and Coca-Cola memorabilia. Barbara is survived by her husband, GUNNAR SAFSTEN ’56; two sons; three grandchildren; a brother; and a sister.

LOIS SMITH CC ’62 died March 3, 2012, at the age of 74. After graduation from Cascade College, she taught Spanish in Oregon’s Roseburg Public Schools before devoting five years as a missionary to Honduras with World Gospel Missions. Health concerns brought her back to the United States where she spent a number of years with Peniel Missions in Sacramento, California. Later, she worked in the medical section of Washington’s Walla Walla State Penitentiary, where she often acted as interpreter. A dedicated Christian, creative writer, and crafter of paper, Lois retired in 2005.

JAMES “DOC” SPRINGER ’49 died October 15, 2011, at the age of 86. He was born in Ford’s Prairie, Washington. The second youngest of seven brothers and sisters, Doc served in Okinawa in World War II. He met his future bride, EVELYN BORDEN SPRINGER ’48, at SPC where both were studying for religion degrees. After they married in 1947, Doc took medical training in Missouri at Kirksville School of Osteopathy. He practiced medicine in Randle, Washington, for nearly 50 years. There for his patients day and night, Doc nonetheless made it a priority to help start the town’s Church of the Nazarene. Able to whistle like a bird, he loved music and could play the accordion, harmonica, and piano. A sportsman, too, he enjoyed clamming, berry picking, fishing, and hunting. Predeceased by his wife, Evelyn, he is survived by five children; 15 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

RALPH WILDE CC ’48 died December 20, 2011, at the age of 85. In his lifetime, Ralph wrote 260 hymns and songs, and was married to Barbara Wilde for 60 years before she died in 2008. Together, they served 13 years as missionaries in Brazil. Ralph, armed with four master’s degrees, was a professor at the seminary in Anapolis, Goias. Between Barbara and he was the ability to play piano, organ, and accordion. In the U.S., Ralph was a pastor in the Evangelical United Brethren Church and served churches in Oregon and Indiana. He is survived by his four children; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.