Sunday, January 31, 2016

Ad Astra - Frank Pritchard '42


Frank Pritchard '42 (1920 - 2016)

Jack Rhodes '60 and Frank Pritchard '42

Frank Pritchard '42, Jim Brinkley '43, and Tom Allen '43

Peter Aposotolou '46, Frank Pritchard '42, and Bob Philip '40 at recent Graduate Luncheon

Obituary as published in Seattle Times:

Frank passed away on January 22, 2016. He was born in Seattle in 1920, graduated from Queen Anne High School and the University of Washington where he began his interest in politics, managing ASUW campaigns. He was a proud Husky and a lifelong member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. 

Frank spent his early years summering on Bainbridge Island, and working as a camp counselor at the YMCA's Camp Orkila. He served in the US Army during WWII as a captain in the European Theatre. It was at the UW that he met and married Jeanne Barto. Frank and Jeanne lived in Yakima, before moving to Mercer Island where they raised their family. Frank's career in the printing industry began at North Pacific Bank Note Co., which he later managed along with Griffin Envelope, Bank Check Supply, Line Check Systems, Interchecks and United Graphics. During this time he served on the boards for University Federal Savings Bank and HomeStreet Bank.

Throughout Frank's life, he chose to give back to his community through civic activities and politics. He loved the competitive aspect of elections, taking a lead role in the campaigns for his brother Joel, as well as Dan Evans, Slade Gordon, John Spellman and Arthur Langlie. He gave hours of service and leadership to Forward Thrust, Executive Service Corps , the Pro-Parks Initiative, and YMCA Camping Services. He was a board member for the Seattle YMCA, CAPRI, Woodland Park Zoo, Horizon House, the Rainier Club, Seattle Downtown Rotary, serving as president, Seattle Chamber of Commerce and co-founder of the Cascade Land Conservancy (Forterra). In 1982, Frank was named the Municipal League's Citizen of the Year.

Frank loved the outdoors. At the family beach cabin on Hood Canal, he spent summers waterskiing, swimming and boating with Jeanne and their children. Frank was an avid mountain climber and was very proud to have climbed all six major peaks in Washington. Winter weekends were spent at Crystal Mt. and traveling to ski races with family. He was a lifelong runner, participating in two Seattle Marathons.

Family always came first in Frank's life. Jeanne was his trusted partner for 62 years, and his brother Joel was his best friend. He was proud of his children and most gratified that they all enjoyed spending time together. He lived his life as an example to others. He was caring, kind, supportive and a mentor to all who knew him.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife Jeanne and brother, Joel. He is survived by his daughters Beth Perrow (Wade) of Gig Harbor, Jan Showalter (Jack) of Seattle, son Jeff Pritchard (Amanda) of Bainbridge Island, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Horizon House and his caregivers.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 11th at 2:00 p.m. at
Plymouth Congregational Church
1217-6th Avenue, Seattle, WA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Frank Pritchard Camp Orkila Scholarship Fund, 909 - 4th Ave., Seattle, WA 98104, or to Forterra, 901-5th Ave., Ste. 2200, Seattle, WA 98164.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=frank-a-pritchard&pid=177530312#sthash.cn7YmBdj.dpuf

Friday, December 4, 2015

2015 Pig Dinner

2015 Pig Dinner - Seattle Graduate Chapter



The four Simpson brothers celebrate their first Pig Dinner where all four were present.
Left to Right:   Scott Simpson '72, Brooks Simpson '75, Tom Simpson '74, and Mark Simpson '82



Attendees of the Pig were recipients of socks with photo of 4503.  The Strideline sock guys hit their business stride while at 4503.  The two founders were speakers at a Tuesday luncheon.  And we continue to watch their well-deserved success trajectory. 
If you want similar socks for your company or organization, the Strideline team is ready. 

The Golden Owl Class of 1965 announces their $ 50,000 contribution to the Sigma Tau Scholarship Fund and challenged subsequent Golden Owl classes to step up to meet or beat the '65ers. 

Jack Rhodes '60 and Clay Loges '68 being photo-bombed by youth. 

Thanks to our Pig Dinner MC, Brad Cahill '03, for a job well done.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

November 2015 Luncheon - Greg Richards '85

Greg Richards '95
 Greg’s raised nearly $ 40 million to buy and manage farmlands in the Pacific NW.  Our luncheon heard the story of farm values in the heartland and the trends of values in the Pacific NW.  We learned the reason Greg and team believed there was a way for money to be made buying farmland.

For the past 5 years, Greg Richards ’95 has been the Co-Founder & Managing Director of HarvestWest Investments with offices in Bellevue, WA and Grangeville, ID
HarvestWest Investments is an investment fund focused on farmland in the Pacific Northwest. To date they have acquired over 12,000 acres of farmland as a secure, income-producing asset capitalizing on the growing demand for food and in a period of higher inflation. Greg has gathered a team of experienced locals with strong ties in the Pacific Northwest farming, business and finance communities.
Description of HarvestWest from their website: HarvestWest Investments is an Agriculture Fund formed exclusively to invest in farmland. We have built a unique vehicle for investors to own a diverse group of properties in this generally stable and long-term appreciating asset, while relieving them of the burden of property management. HarvestWest partners with the best farmers in the region to lease and operate our land.
For regular grad luncheon attendees, you may recall that Greg spoke to our group about 10 years ago, when he had executed a leveraged buyout of Rung Industries.  Rung was a company that manufactured the screens used in quarries, sand and gravel pits. Greg owned and managed this business from 2001 until a successful sale to a strategic buyer in December 2010.
It was a top rate presentation by Greg and his story of pursuing farmland as the target for an  investment fund.  




Greg Richards '95

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

October 2015 Luncheon - Gordy Ringoen '60



Doug Cameron '61 and Gordy Ringoen '60
Our October luncheon offered a provocative discussion on education and where the future is pulling it.  Thanks to Gordy Ringoen ’60, who has been lecturing over 20 years at the Foster Business School at the U.W., along with serving on advisory boards and being an outspoken critic of slow progress in academia.  His presentation proposed “Tomorrow’s College Today.”

Contrasting the true costs of college in the 1960's to the educational costs of today, Gordy claimed that a college education today, costs too much as evidenced by 70% of students need debt to pay for their education.  The total student debt load is exploding and exceeds $1.3 B today---more than credit card debt and secondary mortgages combined.  The debt is crushing, with 17% or, seven million borrowers, not making any payment for more than the last 365 days.

The student’s time in college is underutilized with students spending only 22 hours per week in combined class/study versus a combined 42 hours in the 1960's.

Fewer hours, higher costs, and the graduates are ill-prepared for careers after graduation as evidenced by 40% not getting jobs requiring a college education.

We enjoyed Gordy's offering of several models for college’s educational success, and his examples included such unpublicized schools as Harvey Mudd and Waterloo. 


The benefits of educational relevance to the needs of the workplace were illustrated by Gordy's example of the U. W., Jack Rhodes ’60’s, “Sales and Marketing Program” in the Foster Business School.  Jack's sales program has grown to 150 students, has the support of more than 200 businesses and mentors and  is self funding. The program generates a $40,000 in surplus before including $860,000 in tuition! His graduates are in high demand and 93% of 2015 graduates had sought after jobs within 90 days of graduation!  The lessons of these highly successful colleges and programs need be models for the rest of undergraduate studies in universities!

Gordy Ringoen '60 and Chuck Lappenbusch '59

Jeff Livingston '16, Alberto Gonzalez '16, and Jack Rhodes '60

Roy Yates '61 and Doug Cameron '61

Jake DiJulio '16 and Gary Craig '61

Undergrads Jeff Livingston '16, Charlie Burns '18, Michael Diamond '16, Jake DiJulio '16, and Jack Rhodes '60

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Ad Astra - Greg Draper '57





Greg Draper '57
Gregory L. Draper '57

1933 - 2015

Gregory Lee Draper of Bellevue, WA took flight Sept. 14, 2015 as he passed away in the presence of those who loved him most. He spent his last days under the loving care of Evergreen Hospice, family and dear friends.

Greg was born on February 20, 1935 in Bremerton, WA to Helen and Bill Draper. He was their second child after his older sister, Diane, who predeceased him in death. Greg attended Queen Anne High School. Upon graduation he went to the University of Washington, became a proud and loyal member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. 

Greg served in the U.S. Marine Corps in San Diego, CA. "Once a Marine always a Marine" was frequently heard. Upon discharge he was employed by Douglas Aircraft Co. where he worked on the development of the A4 ground support fighter for the navy and marines. 

During his time in California he met his loving wife of 54 years, an attractive and lively flight attendant named Nancy, who was living in the beach house next door. They married in 1961 and eventually returned to Mercer Island, WA. They started a family and in November of 1966 were blessed with an only daughter. Greg, with then partner, fulfilled another life goal in founding UCO, Inc., a manufacturing company in Redmond WA which Greg headed until it's sale in 2003. 

In many ways, Greg was a true renaissance man. His zest for life, his genuine interest in the people wherever he set foot, his craving for foreign countries and cultures made him an inveterate traveler. His passion and interest in aviation and the human need to fly led him to become an active docent at the Museum of Flight in his later years.

Greg was well read and had a remarkable aptitude for learning. His interests ranged from sport to world politics, literature to art, religion to science and philosophy to trivia. This made him a unique communicator, always ready to spark a conversation or take on any subject. He was passionately interested in the real workings of the human mind, intellect and heart. Greg was an incredible listener, who was innately curious about the world he lived in and those he met.

Greg had a consummate sense of humor; his readiness to initiate and participate in activity was contagious. Who doesn't remember his eagerness to give friends and family reason to laugh? Ever willing to be silly and have fun highlighted by the sign hanging on the shed at Camp Draper "For children trapped in adult bodies".

Greg imparted to his family, lessons of hard work, core values, and that life knows no limits. He had an incomparable ability as a friend to so many. First and foremost he was a loving husband and an exceptional father and grandfather. He demonstrated strength, courage and wisdom till the end.

We miss him terribly! 

He is survived by; Nancy Draper, Jennifer Draper Kunz, Markus Kunz, Mia and Ellie Draper Kunz 

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, October 23rd, 1pm at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, 1717 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004. 

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to one of the following: Seattle Cancer Care Alliance - Melanoma Research, PO Box 19023, Seattle, WA 98109. 

Or, Evergreen Health Foundation - Hospice Care, 12040 NE 128th Street, MS #5 Kirkland, WA 98034. Checks payable to either indicting Gregory Draper, memorial tribute.

Online donations can be made online here:

http://www.seattlecca.org/scca-make-a-donation.cfm

https://foundation.evergreenhospital.org/pages/make-a-gift/make-a-gift---online-donation

Published in the Seattle Times edition of October 4, 2015

Monday, September 28, 2015

September 2015 Luncheon - Andrew Watts '98

Andrew Watts '98
Andrew graduated in the late 90's to land right in the midst of the tech boom.  He spent a few years working on marketing and promotion for Nintendo, and then, like many others, he moved to a tech startup to participate in the big money of the time.  Unfortunately, the day he left his job to join the tech boom...... the tech crash of 2000 began.

With free time available, he volunteered to produce the video celebrating the 100 years of Sigma Tau.  From this experience he found his calling, and he joined with his Dad (Charlie Watts) and his sister to form a creative production company known today as Watts Media.

Fortunately for Andrew, the technology for producing presentations was dramatically changing.  It was the very time when a creative team with $ 5,000 of equipment and the newly released "Final Cut" software by Apple could compete toe-to-toe with the established agencies who had invested in $ 1+ million of equipment and drastically more expensive software.

It was a great story of being early to the new digital media.  With the much lower costs, Watts Media was able to provide competitive production results while undercutting their established competitors who were burdened by more expensive equipment and software. Seizing the advantage, Watts Media pursued their goal of helping businesses to "connect customers with a company's brand", and they rely very much on visual, eye-appealing content to catch the viewer's interest with provocative, emotion-packed content. (examples below)

Our thanks to Andrew for speaking to our luncheon crowd.  Andrew can be reached @ Andrew at WattsMedia.us

Examples of recent work by WattsMedia can be viewed in the below links.  All videos are short to view.  

This first video about the race to the South Pole was shown at the luncheon -- I'm sure you'll enjoy viewing it.  
https://vimeo.com/91573307           Title:   The Race  (great short about the race to the South Pole)

https://vimeo.com/121091255         Title:   One Note - In the Beginning (Microsoft)

https://vimeo.com/109873756         Title:  Watts GFX Demo 2014

https://vimeo.com/108842052         Title:   HP Discover Reel

https://vimeo.com/29456753           Title:   Voyager Capital - The Seed

The WattsMedia website (www.WattsMedia.us )also features selected and more recent work – and you can view their entire portfolio here.  https://vimeo.com/wattsmedia

Also WattsMedia just finished a website for Columbia Pacific Wealth Management where you will find fellow Fijis --  Peder Schmitz '97, Jeremy Kiefer '96 and Korey Lackey '01.  http://columbiapacificwm.com  


Monday, August 31, 2015

Ad Astra - Wally Bostick '52

Wally Bostick '52, Peter Apostolou '46, and Irish Coles '52 at a 2012 Fiji Luncheon

Reported by Irish Coles '52

Wally Bostick '52 ---Ad Astra (To the stars)   August 30th, 2015.

A very sad day.

An accomplished and extremely likable person,  Wally won the city high school tennis  championship as a senior @ West Seattle -- earned 3 big W's at the UW--and was number one tennis player in the
Northern Division 2 years running.  Wally made it to the quarter finals 7 straight years for the city championship at the Seattle Tennis Club.

Wally started his insurance agency from scratch which became highly successful.  In addition to a beautiful home on the East side, he wintered in LaQuinta in a home he owned on the local golf course.

He is survived by 2 lovely daughters.

A very loyal Fiji,  Wally is a good one and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Irish Coles '52

Hello Clay, thank you so much for your note about Wally.  He was my father-in-law, as I was lucky enough to meet and marry his youngest daughter Kathy (Tri Delt @ UW).  Wally was such a tremendous guy, everyone's friend, and a true embodiment of the Husky Fiji persona!

His memorial service will be held Wednesday Sept 9th, 2PM at the Mercer Island Covenant Church.

Tom Browning
Class of '83


Other Info on Wally is in below obituary published in Seattle Times:

Wallace M. Bostick    1928 - 2015


When Wallace M. Bostick, 87, passed away on August 30, 2015, he took with him the loving bonds of his family and a huge collection of schoolmates, sports competitors and business associates who were privileged to be his friend. You were his friend from the first handshake. "Put it in the ol' bear trap" you would often hear him say.

Wally was born in Everett in 1928, but his parents, Ruth and Samuel Bostick raised him in West Seattle. As the third of four boys, he was raised in a competitive environment in which he flourished. Wally's prime sports interests at West Seattle High School were basketball and tennis at which he excelled. His selection for the U.S. Junior Davis Cup Team in 1943 was one of his proudest sports accomplishments.

After high school Wally attended Modesto Junior College and then transferred to the UW where he lettered in tennis for three years. He was a proud member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and graduated in 1952. The same year, he began his long, successful career in insurance. He owned Bostick-Monarch Insurance Agency until his retirement.

After winning the Washington State Tennis Championship in 1957, Wally went on a blind date with Gladys Cowan and they married the following year. They had two daughters, Jennifer and Kathryn.

In 1972, he married Betty Musson, with whom he lived on Mercer Island. He was a member of the Seattle Tennis Club and Overlake Country Club and enjoyed spending time in Palm Desert, CA. Following Betty's death in 2010, Wally moved to Parkshore Retirement Community in Seattle, where he resided until his death.

He is survived by Jennifer Bergquist (Tom), Kathryn Browning (Tom), Michelle Bostick, 4 grandsons; Carter Bergquist, Ryan Browning, Jackson Lowder, Spencer Lowder; extended family and many friends.

Wally will be remembered for his eternal optimism, engaging sense of humor, generosity of heart and devotion to his family and friends.

We will forever miss you Dad.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Washington Foundation or a charity of your choice .