February 2008

This In Memoriam section contains brief obituaries of WSBA members. The list is not complete and contains only those notices that the WSBA has learned of through newspapers, magazine articles, trade publications, and correspondence. Additional notices will appear in subsequent issues of Bar News. Please e-mail notices or personal remembrances to inmemoriam@wsba.org.

Crowder, Martin T.
A graduate of UW School of Law, Marty Crowder was a partner and former president of Karr Tuttle Campbell law firm. He served as commodore of the Poulsbo and Seattle yacht clubs. He was a trustee and president of the Princess Louisa International Society. Marty Crowder died December 8, 2007, aged 67.

Felthous, Robert A.
Bob Felthous served as a lieutenant in the Navy in World War II. He earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco. A longtime resident of Selah, it was in Yakima County where he established his own law firm. Felthous served as president of the Yakima County Bar Association, on the boards of the Yakima YMCA and Yakima Memorial Hospital, and as a state administrative law judge. He was also a scuba instructor, private pilot, Boy Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and volunteer firefighter. Bob Felthous died November 25, 2007, aged 87.

Gordon, Elizabeth A.
Born in Colfax and a graduate of Willamette University Law School, Elizabeth Gordon worked as an assistant district attorney in Roseburg, Oregon, and as the assistant attorney general for the Oregon Appellate Court. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, history, and reading. She was a pilot and volunteered at the humane society. Elizabeth Gordon died July 19, 2007, at the age of 59.

Hooper, Richard B.
Dick Hooper was born in Puyallup. He received his J.D. from Harvard University Law School in 1940. He started work at the Seattle law firm of Jones and Grey, which later became Stoel Rives L.L.C. He served in the Navy for 25 years as a member of the Seabees and retired with the rank of captain. He was president, director, and board member for numerous companies. He enjoyed tennis, trains, classic cars, and traveling. He donated many hours to the Friends of Youth organization. Dick Hooper died October 8, 2007, aged 91.

Knappert, Anton L. “Larry”
A Seattle native, Larry Knappert pursued an acting career in the 1980s. In 1991, he graduated from University of Puget Sound Law School and began practicing with Wecker-Hunko Law office in Port Orchard. In 2005, he joined the Defender Association in Seattle. His talent extended to many fields: acting, music, bicycling, handyman, and good neighbor. Larry Knappert died on November 1, 2007, aged 54.

Marsh, Douglas B.
Doug Marsh, a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law, started his career in Everett at the county prosecutor’s office. Eventually he became a founding member of Marsh Mundorf Pratt Sullivan & McKenzie in Mill Creek. In 2000, he was chosen as Attorney of the Year by the Snohomish County Bar Association. He met his wife, Tanis, at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. He was transporting visitors in a pedicab, and she was selling tickets and souvenirs. She remembers her husband paying for housing for clients who feared their husbands. “He was just kind,” she said. Marsh was a skilled skier and golfer. Doug Marsh died October 8, 2007, aged 64.

Masterson, Michael
Mike Masterson earned his J.D. from the UW School of Law in 1999. After graduating, he and his wife, Serena, moved to Pierce County, where he worked at the Department of Assigned Counsel. In 2001, he opened his own law practice in Tacoma. He enjoyed reading, fishing, political discussions, Ozzfest, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike Masterson died October 12, 2007, at the age of 39.

McNally, James P.
Jim McNally was born in Ireland and was a longtime resident of Ione. He enlisted in the Army in World War II and served with the 82nd Airborne, 504 Division. During his tour of duty, a shell burst and injured his eye. He was grateful to the Lions Club for its support of corneal transplants. McNally graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law, and moved to Ione in 1956 to practice with Lloyd Ek. He served as deputy prosecuting attorney, prosecuting attorney, legal counsel for P.U.D. No. 1, city attorney for Ione, Metaline, Metaline Falls, and Cusick, and attorney for the Port of Pend Oreille and the Selkirk School District. Jim McNally died October 5, 2007, aged 83.

Robbins, Burton S.
Burt Robbins, a native of Seattle and alumnus of Garfield High School, received degrees in law and literature from the University of Washington. He served as King County deputy prosecuting attorney. He later partnered with his father, Morris Robbins, and practiced law for more than 50 years. He loved his friends, fishing, music, books, and travel. He was a founding member of Impossible Dreamers, a Mariners support group. Burt Robbins died October 1, 2007, aged 85.

Selander, Kenneth J.
Kenny Selander earned his law degree from George Washington University Law School, served in the Navy in World War II, became assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, and was a founding partner of Selander Espedal Clark and Leavitt law firm. He served as president of the WSBA Senior Lawyers Section. Kenny Selander died November 3, 2007, aged 89.

Thomas, William R. Jr.
William Thomas Jr. graduated from the University of Michigan School of Law. He was a member of Sigma Chi and Delta Theta Phi fraternities. He served as lieutenant JAG in the Navy during World War II and was promoted to commanding officer. Known to friends and comrades as “The Skipper,” he served with the Christian Science Committee on Publication and the U.S. National LST Association. William Thomas Jr. died on November 15, 2007, aged 83.

Titzler, Scott K.
Scott Titzler was born in Akron, Ohio, and grew up in Palos Verdes, California. He studied marine biology and became a commercial fisherman along the Northwest Pacific coast. He sold his fishing boat and attended law school, graduating in 1987. For 16 years, he was deputy district attorney for Josephine County in Grants Pass, Oregon. Scott Titzler died June 27, 2007, at the age of 57.

Wittress, William M. Jr.
William Wittress Jr. graduated an industrial engineer from Stanford University. Later in his career, he earned his J.D. from Seattle University. He served for 22 years as an U.S. Air Force officer. He was involved in the development of cutting-edge aircraft and missiles and led the team that launched the first-ever satellite into geosynchronous orbit of the earth. Wittress was also a business manager for Boeing in Australia. William Wittress Jr. died November 5, 2007, aged 65.