January 2007

In Memoriam

This In Memoriam section contains brief obituaries of WSBA members who died in 2006. The list is not complete and contains only those notices that the WSBA has learned of through newspapers, magazine articles, trade publications, and letters. Some members not on this list were featured in the January, May, and June 2006 issues of Bar News. Each entry begins with the member's name, then the date of death, followed by some information about that person (in some instances no further information could be obtained). We regret that space doesn't allow for a more complete tribute for each of these WSBA members.

Agranoff, Efrem Z. — 06-22-2006 — Born 01-06-1933 in San Diego, CA. Served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. Practiced law in Snohomish County for more than 45 years. Loved his two dogs. Was the recipient of a heart transplant in 1990.

Albert, Douglas F. — 04-18-2006 — Born 09-29-1921 in Tacoma. Earned his law degree at UW School of Law. Practiced corporate law in Federal Way for more than 50 years. Active in many fraternal, community, and service organizations. He loved pets, bird-hunting, his Hood Canal retreat, and his wife's cooking.

Barker, Charles F. — 05-08-2006 — Born 06-10-1913 in San Francisco.

Caldwell, John C. — 08-09-2006 — Born 09-17-1958. A graduate of Seattle U. School of Law. Loving father, son, brother, and uncle.

Clarke, George W. — 06-25-2006 — Born 06-22-1906 in Perry, IA. A resident of Mercer Island since the age of two. Graduated from UW School of Law. Served in the state House of Representatives in 1966-71 and the state Senate in 1971-85. Helped establish the Mercer Island park over Interstate 90. A lifelong member of the Seattle Tennis Club.

Clarke, Michael Albert — 10-28-2006 — Aged 57, of Arlington. Practiced law in Everett for more than 30 years. Loved the outdoors, hiking, fishing, and skiing, and had a passion for travel.

Claughton, Calvin E. — 03-05-2006 — Born 11-05-1924 in San Francisco. Started his career with the Internal Revenue Service and graduated from Gonzaga U. School of Law. Practiced with the IRS and privately until 1992.

Cory, Clyde "Ray" — 08-10-2006 — Born 04-06-1924 in Bellingham. Practiced law in Seattle and Bellevue since 1951. Served many charitable organizations. Enjoyed music, dancing, reading, bridge, tennis, and golf. Active at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina.

Cranston, Ralph S. — 06-23-2006 — Born 06-02-1951 in Dunkirk, NY. Received his J.D. from the U. of California-Berkeley. A talented businessman, lawyer, and writer who was editor for Diversity News.
Creighton, M. Lee — 05-28-2006 — Aged 47. Received his J.D. from the UW School of Law. Served as the first elected judge for the Olympia Municipal Court. Loved his family, the mountains, and travel. Enjoyed Clint Eastwood films with friends over beer and pizza.

Culp, Gordon C. — 03-23-2006 — Born 02-17-1927 in Auburn. Served in the U.S. Navy as an electronic electrician's mate. Graduated from UW School of Law. Worked as counsel for Senator Henry M. Jackson's Subcommittee on Territories and Interior Affairs and helped create the Alaska and Hawaii Statehood acts.

Dimmick, Cyrus A. — 04-21-2006 — Born 03-07-1918 in Pasco. A graduate of UW School of Law. Served in World War II. Served as assistant attorney general and practiced law in Olympia and Seattle. His "real career" was golf.

Doherty, Howard Vincent Sr. — 09-10-2006 — Born 03-06-1912. Served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant commander. Practiced law in Port Angeles. Served as a Clallam County prosecutor. Served on the Bar Legislative Committee and as U.S. Magistrate for Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Believed that "law is a service, not a business," that "a lawyer's fee should be commensurate with the ability of the client to pay," and that "the courtroom was where the poor and the rich were truly equal."

Duree, James Earl "Jim" — 03-16-2006 — Born 06-19-1917 in the Willapa Valley. Inspired by FDR's fireside chats, he became a committed lawyer and fighter for civil liberties and the environment. Served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Attended the National University School of Law. Served as Pacific County prosecuting attorney and practiced in Raymond, Ocosta, and Westport.

Friedman, Bernie — 08-03-2006 — Born 12-31-1942. Earned his law degree from Duke U. School of Law. Served as lieutenant colonel and meteorologist in the U.S. Air Force. Brought a tough new approach to the state Department of Social and Health Services, creating a risk management office in 2000. Was chair of the WSBA Disciplinary Board at the time of his death.

Gehri, Alfred P. — 03-04-2006 — Born 10-04-1951. Received his law degree from UW School of Law and joined the Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office in 1979. An avid reader, photographer, and history buff.

Goddard, R. Hays — 10-31-2006.

Hawthorne, William Stanton — 03-04-2006 — Born 06-09-1950 in Upper Darby, PA. Graduated from Gonzaga U. School of Law and practiced in Port Angeles. Moved to Spokane and served as county attorney. A musician and composer and a supporter of the Olympic National Forest.

Henry, John A. — 07-09-2006 — Born 05-13-1928. Practiced law in the Seattle and Shoreline area for nearly 50 years. Longtime Edmonds resident, served his church, the Masonic Lodge, and the Rotary.

Howard, Frank "Don" — 01-29-2006 — Born 10-06-1931 in Seattle. A graduate of UW School of Law and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Served as Lt. Commander, USCGR. Appointed to the King County Superior Court in 1969 and the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court in 1988. Loved his work, golf, sailing, travel, and Husky football.

Jensen, Hans Christian Holm — 09-14-2006.

Lane, Edward M. — 01-15-2006 — Born 04-07-1928. Graduated from the UW School of Law. Practiced in Tacoma for more than 50 years. Served as WSBA governor and as a leader and member of many associations and civic organizations. Loved golf and the Huskys.

McInturff, James "Ben" — 05-11-2006 — Born 03-20-1924. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he contracted polio, which left him without the use of his legs and left arm. A longtime Spokane resident, graduated from Gonzaga U. School of Law. Became a Spokane County district judge in 1953 and a judge for the Washington State Court of Appeals in 1972. Helped to pioneer the very first access to justice programs.

McLeod, Donald A. — 02-26-2006.

McMullen, Larry Edward — 10-29-2006 — Born 02-13-1959 in Laramie, WY. A loving father, avid bicyclist, accomplished sailor, and enthusiastic singer. Graduated from the U. of Puget Sound School of Law.
Montegut, Christian — 06-20-2006 — Aged 40. A graduate of the New York U. School of Law. A Redmond resident, he practiced corporate law.

Munson, Mark Parr — 03-18-2006 — Born 01-18-1957 in Yakima. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he practiced in Seattle and Yakima. A dedicated father and husband. He provided pro bono assistance to those in need.

Otto, Filis — 03-22-2006 — Aged 81. One of the first female lawyers and judges in Pierce County. Served as District Court judge for 28 years. Active in many charities and organizations. A mentor to many throughout her distinguished career, a pioneer for women in the profession, and known for her wonderful sense of humor and brilliant mind.

Parker, Wayne R. — 02 12-2006 — Born 01-16-1925.

Sauve, Melissa Verginia — 10-07-2006 — Born 06-29-1951 in Seattle. Loved fishing, sewing, and was a master cook. Generously provided pro bono service for those in need.

Scaringi, Michael — 05-04-2006 — Aged 61. A former Mercer Island police officer. Coached sports, helped Boy Scouts, and built houses in Mexico. Enjoyed sharing food and wine with family and friends. A member of the Sons of Italy.

Schimanski, Robert G. — 10-07-2006 — Aged 86. Served in the U.S. Air Force. Graduated from the UW School of Law. Enjoyed playing golf, bridge, and gin. Was a "miraculous" cook. Loving and supporting father and grandfather.

Schuster, Eugene G. — 01-13-2006 — Born 10-24-1939 in Pasco. A graduate of Gonzaga U. School of Law. Served in the U.S. Army earning the rank of captain. Practiced in the Tri-Cities; committed to making legal representation available to all through the Benton Franklin Legal Aid Society.

Sheahan, Don — 07-25-2006 — Born 10-04-1923 in Thornton. A lifelong resident of Whitman County. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Earned his J.D. from Gonzaga U. School of Law. Served as a district court judge in Colfax. He saw law as an opportunity to serve others and devoted time to many fraternal, civic, and community organizations.

Shields, George T. — 10-10-2006 — Born 05-06-1928 in Seattle. A graduate of Columbia University School of Law. Served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps in 1954-56. Elected to the Spokane County Superior Court in 1970.

Short, Kenneth Powell — 04-15-2006 — Born 02-23-1918 in Seattle. Graduated from UW School of Law. Served in World War II. Served as president of the Seattle-King County Bar in 1965 and as WSBA president in 1974. Was an ABA delegate for many years. A member of the boards of many civic and charitable organizations. He and his wife were avid golfers.

Silva-Wayling, Tracey Anne — 06-28-2006 — Aged 47. Raised in McAlester, OK. Became a fashion photographer and then an attorney. Moved to Seattle in 1998 to practice law. She loved the ocean and enjoyed cooking, entertaining, Christmas, and gardening.

Slagle, Franklin Jay — 09-24-2006 — Born 09-26-1947. Graduated from Gonzaga U. and the U. of Florida School of Law. Practiced law in Spokane for four years before becoming a professor at the U. of South Dakota School of Law, where he taught for 22 years. Had a passion for learning, telling stories and jokes, and portraying "Chipper" the clown for the Sioux Falls Shriners.

Smith, Carmen Louise — 09-08-2006 — Born 09-18-1948 in Miami, FL. A former flight attendant, graduated for Georgetown U. Law Center in 1980. Helped organize private ventures to create low-income housing. Loved to hike and climb — scaling the Canadian Rockies and the Dolomites and traversing the Grand Canyon.

Solan, James J. — 04-09-2006 — Born 06-19-1919 in Opportunity, MT. Graduated from Gonzaga U. School of Law. Practiced law in Aberdeen for more than 50 years. Worked part-time as an Aberdeen Municipal Court judge. Active in many civic organizations.

St. Yves, Kenneth — 01-11-2006 — Born 09-06-1967. A graduate of Gonzaga U. School of Law. Loved rooting for the Mariners, Seahawks, the Sonics, and especially the "Zags."

Stamos, Christopher Lee — 07-21-2006 — Of Olympia. Enjoyed being an attorney and helping people of the community. Hobbies included gardening, cooking, and watching old movies.

Taylor, Robert Maxwell — 05-30-2006 — Aged 59. Earned his law degree at Boston U. School of Law. Nationally recognized for his courtroom skills, teaching at the U. of Virginia's Trial Advocacy Institute. Served as a federal prosecutor. Skilled at interior design. Always willing to offer humor, wisdom, and "kernels of truth" — many stopped by his office for a "Bob-fix."

Thorbeck, Thomas — 07-11-2006 — Born 12-06-1945 in Nebraska. Attended the U. of Michigan School of Law and practiced in Seattle since 1974. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986, he viewed having the disease as only a "change." He competed as a triathlete and hand cyclist and learned to play the cello. He played in a community orchestra and enjoyed "music camp."

Watson, Steve — 04-29-2006 — Aged 76. Practiced real estate law. Passionate about his children, skiing, and collecting art. A supporter of women's rights. Provided legal services to Southeast Asian refugee associations after the Vietnam War.

Williams, Walter B. — 11-09-2006 — Aged 85. A UW and Harvard Law School graduate. Skilled in Japanese, served in World War II and carried letters from Japanese POWs to their families. Opposed internment of Japanese Americans and later became president of the Japanese-American Society of Washington. Served in the state House of Representatives and the state Senate. Served many civic organizations and chaired the Woodland Park Zoo Commission, helping to turn the zoo into a world-class facility.