Footnotes: In Memoriam
Longtime Friend of SPU and Former Trustee
CHARLES “CHUCK” ANDERSON, friend and former trustee of SPU, died April 22, 2015, at the age of 84. He grew up in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, the youngest of five siblings. At the University of Washington, he rowed on the freshman eight crew team, then transferred to Western Washington University. He earned a degree in economics and met the woman to whom he was married for 59 years, Barbara Lange. Six weeks after saying “I do,” he was drafted into the U.S. Army.
Following his military stint, Chuck learned the ropes as an auditor, CPA, and controller. Interested in new technology, he co-founded the electronic telecommunications equipment provider Teltone Corporation in 1968 and served as president 1970–81, then as chair of the board until retiring in 2008. Known for his kindness, integrity, financial acumen, and work ethic, Chuck served on the boards of a number of corporate firms and Christian agencies, including 20 years for CRISTA and 16 years and hundreds of hours of work for SPU (1980–96). He was serving on the board of the Seattle Pacific Foundation when he died, a post he had held since 1992. A chief legacy is his three children and five grandchildren who attended SPU (plus a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter-in-law).
Christian philanthropy was one of his top priorities, much of it through the Anderson Family Foundation, established in 1974. “Chuck invested much in SPU and we are a much better institution as a result,” says Don Mortenson, SPU’s senior vice president for planning and administration. In 2011, Chuck was named the first recipient of the President’s Award for Philanthropy from SPU and is recognized as one of the top donors to the University through the years. “His profound positive impact on the University is hard to summarize,” adds Mortenson. Chuck was a role model and mentor to many administrators, as well as to board, faculty, and staff members.
A long-time student of Bible Study Fellowship, Chuck was preceded in death by his wife and a son. He is survived by a son, PAUL ANDERSON ’85; two daughters, LINDA ANDERSON ARUFFO ’82 and REBECCA ANDERSON BARTON ’80; seven grandchildren, including BENJAMIN ANDERSON ’12, SARAH BARTON ’09, and ANNA BARTON ’12; and a sister.
DAVID GARINGER ’51 died June 5, 2014, at the age of 90. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, he was raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. David joined the U.S. Marine Corps, learned the construction trade, and served in the South Pacific until the end of World War II. He took a degree in religion from Seattle Pacific and soon had his first pastorate at a church in Glendale, Arizona. Endowed with a passion for music, he worked for a time in sales for Sacred Records Inc., then accepted a call to pastor a small church in Tucson, Arizona. A minister to small churches, David supported himself and his family by working construction. He loved to build, became a master carpenter, and eventually chose that occupation full-time. After receiving a contractor’s license in California, David remodeled homes, built new homes and commercial buildings, earned a vocational teaching certificate from UCLA, and taught carpentry. Most of the architectural designs on the homes he built were his own, and his love of creativity spilled over into his beautiful oil paintings, poems, and photographs. Forty years a member of Gideons International, David spoke in churches and personally gave away thousands of Bibles. David is survived by his wife, Zelma; a son; and three daughters.
CLARA MORRIS ’49 died June 25, 2014, at the age of 88. Born in West Virginia, she died at Warm Beach Senior Community in Stanwood, Washington. For 30 years, she was a detention supervisor for the juvenile court system. A member of Warm Beach Free Methodist Church and Ballard Free Methodist Church in Seattle, Clara enjoyed travel, especially road trips with her good friend, Grace Westermann. Her life was about loving the Lord and other people. Clara is survived by five brothers and sisters, including BEULAH MORRIS FAULKNER ’47, ROBERT MORRIS ’52, and MARVIN MORRIS ’67.
DENZIL “DENNY” NOBLE ’60 died April 22, 2015, at the age of 79. Born in Backus, Minnesota, he moved with his family to Snohomish, Washington. He not only received a degree from Seattle Pacific, but was an assistant librarian at SPC as well. Denny taught elementary school and junior high school until 1972 when he became a housing contractor. He built and remodeled houses in Montana and Washington, and served in various Christian ministries, frequently filling the pulpit for small community churches. Denny’s final move was to Libby, Montana, where he served as pastor of the Kootenai, Valley Baptist Church. Known for opening his home to friends and strangers, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and writing. Denny is survived by Marilyn, his wife of nearly 60 years; two sons, including MICHAEL NOBLE ’80 and Michael’s wife, CINDY WEST NOBLE ’81; a daughter; and six grandchildren, including JANELLE NOBLE DOUGHERTY ’06.
ROBERT “BOB” SCANDRETT ’50 died November 30, 2014, at the age of 88. Born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, he grew up an accomplished youth pianist before becoming a professional choral conductor. Holding a master’s degree and a doctorate from the University of Washington, he taught music at Western Washington University and influenced the careers of numerous young singers and conductors. Bob conducted choirs throughout the Pacific Northwest, including long tenures at the Seattle Symphony Chorale, University Presbyterian Church, and University Congregational United Church of Christ. Still, he made time to play at the weddings of cherished friends. Bob the composer, arranger, and translator served the choral canon through collaboration with music publishers and the choirs under his direction. A world traveler and patron of many arts, he spent hours of his retirement at the keyboard and invested years in developing a high level of achievement with Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Bob is survived by Sandy, his wife of 48 years.
RICHARD “DICK” SPANGLER ’56, MED ’60, died May 2, 2015, at the age of 84. Born in Seattle, as a teenager he was a Sea Scout and active with his Presbyterian church youth group. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserve and served on a Navy destroyer escort during the Korean War, and on a destroyer in Europe as yeoman and lay chaplain. Dick studied mathematics and the teaching of same at Seattle Pacific College. At Reed College in Portland, Oregon, he earned a second master’s degree in teaching mathematics. In the classroom, he taught elementary and junior high school students in Kelso, Washington, then Lower Columbia College in Longview, Washington, where he established the first community college mathematics learning center in the state. In 1971, he started a mathematics learning lab at Tacoma Community College. While at TCC, he also served as a reviewer, consultant, and author for major publishers. In all, he wrote 22 mathematics books used across the country. In 1978, he became head of Developmental Education at TCC and was active in the promotion of sound literacy. Dick retired in 1993 and enjoyed ocean cruising with his wife, MARGARET WUBBENA SPANGLER ’56, whom he met in an SPC math class. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years. two sons. a daughter. and four grandchildren.
GAIL WIELDRAAYER ’76 died April 8, 2015, at the age of 59, in a single-car accident near Anacortes, Washington. Born in Coupeville, Washington, she attended Oak Harbor schools and Skagit Valley Community College before transferring to SPU for a degree in music education. For a number of years, she was organist and hand bell choir director at the Crystal Cathedral in California. A fan of Celtic music, she also played organ and piano at Oak Harbor’s First Reformed Church, where she helped with the Prayer Shawl Ministry and was the Good News Club coordinator and teacher. Gail is survived by four brothers. a sister. and numerous nieces and nephews.
FRANK WILEY, CC ’71, died January 3, 2015, at the age of 80. Born in Portland, Oregon, he created a life filled with music. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in musical performance, and studied for a doctorate in musical arts. He was a professor of voice at a number of colleges and universities, and lent his voice and choral conducting skills to several churches. Frank enjoyed photography, travel, camping, and having seven children and 36 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by HELEN RHOADS WILEY, CC ’63, his wife of 51 years; five sons; two daughters; 22 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.