July 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.

Backstein, Robert J.

Bob Backstein was stationed at Fort Lewis while serving in the Army. He received his law degree from the University of Arizona. During his nearly 50-year career, he served as city attorney for Phoenix, and several Pierce County communities, including Tacoma. Bob Backstein died April 20, 2008, aged 75.

Brosche, William

William Brosche was born in 1930. A graduate of Laurelhurst Grade School, Roosevelt High School, Seattle University, and the University of Washington Law School, ¬Brosche was a devoted Husky and Mariner fan and greatly enjoyed British comedy. He was an attorney with Unigard Insurance for 30 years. He died on May 5, 2008, aged 77.

Callow, Keith McLean

From Don Gulliford: “The news of retired Chief Justice Keith Callow’s passing was hard to take. With a wonderful sense of humor, a deep insight into human foibles and frailty, Keith Callow was also a wonderful morning coffee partner, especially when the Court of Appeals was in the Pacific Building with our then law firm’s offices.

“We shared a wonderful nutcake hobby, the collecting of awful legal writing mistakes, malaprops, editorial goofs, etc. — the worse the better. All-time winner was ‘Our’ C.W. in a prominent lawyer’s letter — so awful that some comrades never did ‘get it.’ We pondered together the attenuated subtlety of whether any amount of tutoring could cure the secretary, or the lawyer who did not read before signing. Awards to many others, including ‘heirs and emissions’ in insurance policy letters.

“With the courage of the seasoned combat veteran that he was, he always cheerfully discussed his election defeat and how much he later enjoyed helping emerging nations establish justice and judicial systems. He always forcefully told me the U.S. justice system was the very best of them all. Same for him.”

Justice Keith Callow served in the Attorney General’s Office; in private practice; and on the King County Superior, Washington State Appeals, and State Supreme courts. He also worked for the U.S. State Department. Keith Callow died April 4, 2008, aged 83.

Clark, Donald J.

Don Clark was born in Spokane in 1924. He served in the Navy in World War II. He obtained his law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law and practiced in Yakima. Clark held the office of prosecuting attorney for Yakima County. He was a regional attorney for the Interstate Commerce Commission and then practiced privately in Pasco. He liked to fly planes, especially a light aircraft on business trips throughout Eastern Washington. Don Clark died January 14, 2008, aged 83.

Coulter, Lee

Lee Coulter served his country in the Navy and attended law school at Northwestern University. He worked for Hartford Insurance and was the attorney for the Association of Washington Industries (AWI). He composed the AWI digest used almost exclusively by legislators. He then worked for the General Telephone Co. of the Northwest and Alaska (now Verizon). After retiring, he spent his time on Vashon Island as a “country” lawyer. He always said, “If you enjoy what you are doing, life is easy.” Lee Coulter died March 29, 2008, aged 84.

Dixon, Robert E.

Robert Dixon graduated from the UW School of Law and became a deputy prosecuting attorney. Judge Dixon overcame a speech impediment and advanced through the legal system to a Superior Court judgeship. He was known as fair and kind, especially as a juvenile court judge, and even went so far as to bring home one of the troubled children after a month on the job. He enjoyed singing, woodcarving, photography, cooking, and growing roses with his wife. Robert Dixon died April 26, 2008, at the age of 78.

Esposito, Joseph A.

A graduate of Gonzaga School of Law, Joseph Esposito was a bankruptcy, business, and estate lawyer. He served in the Army Artillery. A longtime resident of Spokane, Esposito loved his children and grandchildren and spent many hours coaching them, swimming with them, racing with them down Schweitzer Mountain, hunting and fishing with them, and preparing delicious Italian meals . Joseph Esposito died May 30, 2008, aged 76.

Getches, Meredith Ann

Meredith Getches was the first woman to be appointed hearing officer for the City of Seattle and served from 1990 to 2003. She decided many controversial land use and environmental cases. She gained the respect of city officials, developers, and neighborhood organizers who saw her as fair and even-handed. Before becoming involved in the field of law, she was a teacher and  urban planning consultant. Getches earned degrees in history, environmental studies, environmental planning and her J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law. Meredith Getches died June 4, 2008, at the age of 63.

Hines, William Thomas

Bill Hines was born in Owensboro, Kentucky. He was a criminal defense attorney for 20 years. He pursued a law degree after an assortment of odd jobs, including bus driver and chauffeur. He was hired as a federal public defender right out of law school and performed his work with skill and integrity. Hines was funny, intelligent, and enjoyed nature, engaging conversations, motorcycles, and good coffee. His wife, Amy, was the love of his life. Bill Hines died May 13, 2008, at the age of 60.

Jonson, Carl A.

Carl Jonson graduated from the UW School of Law in 1939 and practiced law in Seattle for more than 50 years. He founded the firm of Jonson & Jonson, P.S., now owned by his two sons, Michael and Richard. He was 92 when he died on April 13, 2008.

Martin, Howard John

Longtime District Court Judge Howard Martin from Walla Walla enlisted in  the Army Air Corps, flew more than 25 missions out of England in World War II, and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. He graduated from UW School of Law in 1950, served as a JAG in the Air Force, entered private practice, and won various elected positions including district court judge, municipal court judge, and deputy prosecutor. He was a voracious reader and loved war and spy novels. Howard Martin died May 13, 2008, at the age of 83.

Mayhew, Alvin “Skip”

Alvin Mayhew was born in 1947 in Rockford, Illinois, and moved to Washington in 1957. Mayhew received his law degree from the University of Puget Sound School of Law (now Seattle University). He was a member of the Puyallup Elks, Blue Knights Washington II, and the Gold Wing Riders Association. Judge Mayhew was a municipal judge in Orting. He enjoyed camping, waterskiing, fishing, duck hunting, and riding motorcycles. He died on May 7, 2008, aged 60.

Sakahara, Toru

Born in Tacoma in 1916, Toru Sakahara received his bachelor’s degree from UW in 1940, and was one of the first Japanese-American students to gain admission to the University of Washington School of Law, where he studied until he was sent to an Idaho relocation camp in 1942. After his release, he completed his law degree at the University of Utah in 1944. In 1965, he founded Sakahara and MacArthur, a groundbreaking minority-and-female-owned firm. Sakahara served as president of the Japanese American Citizens League, Seattle Japanese Community Service, Jackson Street Community Council, and the Seattle Housing Citizens Board. His long-standing service to the community was honored by the Emperor of Japan, who awarded him the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class, in 1984. He died on April 26, 2008, aged 91. 

Wilson, Warren Laurence

Larry Wilson grew up in Everett. During high school, he was a member of the Cord King Quartet. He served in the Navy and graduated from the UW School of Law in 1965. He was elected as district court judge for the South Snohomish County District Court and served 1972–1994. After retirement, Judge Wilson lived in Port Townsend and was legal advocate for the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program of Jefferson County. He was an avid sailor and enjoyed RVing. Larry Wilson died April 10, 2008, at the age of 71.