Sunday, June 28, 2015

June 2015 Luncheon -- Kemper Freeman '63



Kemper Freeman '63

Kemper Freeman ‘63 is Chairman and CEO of Kemper Development Company which built and operates Bellevue Square, Bellevue Place and Lincoln Square located in Bellevue, Washington. Kemper represents the third generation of the Freeman family, who have been involved in the growth of the Bellevue community since 1897. During the luncheon Kemper shared much of the family's commitment to community and guiding philosophies in their family run business.  

Kemper's family has developed several Bellevue Traditions.  In the mid-1940s they began the summer art event now known as the Bellevue Art Festival.  Kemper also told the story of conceiving and producing the annual Snowflake Lane celebration for nearly the four weeks of December.  Families of all ages enjoy this annual free event featuring the nightly 20-minute holiday performance sparkling with colorful lights and snow, plus live drummers, music and holiday characters all along Bellevue Way and NE 8th Street outside Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Place. It's truly a one-of-a-kind holiday spectacle of live toy soldiers, winter characters, exhilarating music, glittering lights and a snowfall that will brighten your spirits and warm your heart.   Fellow grad and well-known impresario, Greg Thompson '64, is the producer of this extravaganza, so both Kemper and Greg shared their stories about the creative path that led to this very popular annual holiday event. 

Kemper covered the early days of Bellevue Square and its origins.  Today, in addition to the well-known regional mall, Bellevue Square, Kemper Development properties include:

·     Bellevue Place, a mixed use property that opened in 1988, housing office space, retail, dining options and the Hyatt Regency Bellevue.
·     Lincoln Square, which opened in 2005 with condominiums, a movie theater, bowling alley, restaurants, retail and the Westin Bellevue.
In total, the three properties (Bellevue Square, Bellevue Place, Lincoln Square) makeup the Bellevue Collection, covering approximately 50 acres of land in downtown Bellevue.
It was an enjoyable presentation filled with many personal anecdotes and notes of history. 
Kemper Freeman '63 speaking to Fiji grads


4503 Undergrads around the near table

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Ad Astra - Bruce McKibbin '55

Bruce McKibbin '55

Bruce Huntoon McKibbin  1932 - 2015

Proud member of Sigma Tau's Class of 1955

Born on January 24, 1932 to Helen and William McKibbin, Bruce fell while gardening and died peacefully on June 14, 2015. Bruce spent his formative years in the Pacific Northwest, went to 13 schools in 12 years, graduated from Renton High School in 1949, and the University of Washington in 1955.

He entered the US Army and felt fortunate to serve in Germany for two years. After the Army he held several jobs, the longest being with Westin Hotels, which allowed him to travel the world. He married Marlies (Marlee) Meier in 1962 in Denver, Co, and moved back to the Seattle area in 1967. Bruce and Marlee joined the Seattle Yacht Club, spent much of their vacation time sailing in the San Juan Islands, and Bruce became very active at the club and served on many committees.


In 2004, he became a docent at the Museum of Flight and was very dedicated to educating people about the history of flight and space exploration. Bruce enjoyed mountain climbing, skiing, sailing, and being with his granddaughters. Many of Bruce's happiest memories were of the people he met and interacted with throughout his life.

Bruce leaves behind his wife, Marlee, son Tom, son Bill and daughter-in-law Kim, and two precious granddaughters, Erin (13) and Libby (10). He will be missed.