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Warrick, Elsa Tuesday, 15 Apr 2003
Elsa Warrick, age 89, a Bainbridge resident for nearly 80 years, died in her sleep April 15 in Friday Harbor.
She was born March 19, 1914 to Anne and Julius Tsirul (Joe Serol) in a tiny settlement near Blagaveshensk, Siberia. Her Latvian parents had fled their Russian-controlled country several years earlier via the newly opened Trans-Siberian Railroad.
By 1919, the little family settled on Bainbridge Island, where she lived for nearly 80 years. Her father established a dairy farm in Eagledale, and as a small child she rode along in her father’s horse-drawn wagon delivering fresh milk and cream to Port Blakely families.
While a teenager, she acquired a retired racehorse named Prince Grattane that was her pride and joy throughout her twenties.
After graduation from high school and a business college in Seattle she did secretarial work.
She also learned to figure skate in her spare time – she met her future husband Willard, a hockey player, when he scooped her up after a spill.
They married
in 1940 and had two children, Melanie and Jon.
The couple settled on Bainbridge close to her family; her parents lived “up the hill, ” the in-laws in a cottage next door, her sister, brother-in-law and their children right across the road. Her home and yard were often filled with laughter and the neighborhood children.
She appreciated the simple joys of life, whether it was gardening, leading children on snow hikes, picking huckleberries in the mountains and mushrooms in the forest, or entertaining friends of all ages.
She made vats of sauerkraut, pressed gallons of fresh apple juice, “baked up a storm, ” and gave it all away.
In her later years, she and her husband spent many happy hours fishing the lakes of Kitsap County. The freezer was full of trout, and their cat got one for breakfast every day.
A few years after the death of her husband in 1990, she moved to Friday Harbor, where she delighted in walking to town every day. She often visited her daughter Melanie and Lee Lange on Henry Island, enjoying clamming, hiking and sailing in the San Juans.
A debilitating dementia caused her to live for a time at Parkside Special Care Alzheimer’s Community in Sedro Woolley. There she liked going outside to walk whenever she pleased.
For the last year and half of her life, she resided at Island Convalescent Center in Friday Harbor.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Hellen Rollins. She is survived by her daughter, Melanie Hester of Henry Island; son Jon Warrick of Bremerton; granddaughters Jennifer Warrick and Wendy Moses and their children.
At her request, no services will be held. A celebration of her life is planned for a later date.
Alsberge, Richard Douglas Sunday, 13 Apr 2003
Bainbridge Island resident, Dr. Richard Douglas Alsberge, age 52, died April 13, at his home.
He was born in Santa Cruz, Calif., Jan. 23, 1951, the only son of Richard Carey and Peggy (Nutting) Alsberge.
He completed his undergraduate studies from the University of the Pacific, Stockton, Calif., and graduated from the University of Southern California Medical School in Los Angeles in 1977.
He practiced medicine in Fresno before coming to the Northwest in 1992, where he practiced at Orthopedics International in Seattle until retiring in 1999.
During the past year, he drove a bus for the Bainbridge Island School District and enjoyed his interactions with students.
He recently started a practice for the treatment of alcoholism and chemical dependency on Bainbridge Island.
He traveled extensively and enjoyed baseball and sailing. He was devoted to his family and enjoyed music, mountaineering, and playing Frisbee with his sons and his dog.
He is survived by his wife Debbie and two sons, Matthew and Joseph, all of Bainbridge Island.
A memorial service will be held, with the date and location to be determined. The family asks that remembrances be given to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home, Bainbridge Island.
Armstrong, Henrietta E. Saturday, 12 Apr 2003
Henrietta E. Armstrong, 89, of Bainbridge Island, died April 12 at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton.
She was born in Tacoma on March 5, 1914. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma and then attended the University of Washington, where she met her husband, Lewis.
She was employed as a window display designer for several years at Frederick and Nelson and I. Magnin. She later began a long career as an interior decorator.
A devoted patron of the arts in Seattle, she served as the project chairman on the board of Women’s Guild for the Seattle Art Museum, and founded its Rental Sales Gallery, which still continues.
She supported the 200+1 Organization, which helped emerging artists in both visual and performing arts. She also served as the first president of the Ballet League for the Pacific Northwest Ballet from 1979-81.
In 1988, she moved to Bainbridge Island, where she became a founding member of the local Ballet League. She served as the president of the Bainbridge Island Preview Group and also volunteered her time in fund-raising for the Seattle Opera Guild.
Her hobbies included sewing, gardening, entertaining and spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis S. Armstrong. She is survived by sons Lewis Jr., of Grand Coulee, Jeffrey, of Lacey, and John, of Bremerton; three daughters-in-law; and seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 1-4 p.m. April 19 at Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home, 5505 Kitsap Way, Bremerton.
Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. April 21, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on Bainbridge Island. A graveside service will be held at noon April 22 at Lakeview cemetery in Seattle.
Memorial donations may be made to the Pacific Northwest Ballet Scholarship Fund, 301 Mercer St., Seattle, WA 98109, Attn: Scholarship Fund.
Van Pelt, Jr., Warren Chenoweth Saturday, 12 Apr 2003
Warren Chenoweth Van Pelt, Jr., age 56, died in Bremerton April 12 after a short illness.
He was born in Seattle on Sept. 20, 1946 to Eleanor Van Pelt (Henderson) and Warren C. Van Pelt, Sr., and raised on Bainbridge Island.
He graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1965. A life-long learner, he was fluent in numerous languages and was a self-taught musician.
He worked at the creosote plant from 1967 until its closure in the 1990s. He was then retrained as a prison guard and was working as a security guard at the time of his death.
In the 1960s and ‘70s he owned and operated a service station at Eagle Harbor and Van’s Tractor Service on Bainbridge Island. He also owned a Spanish-language movie distribution. He and his wife Felicidad were married
in 1979, and divorced in 2001.
He enjoyed Latin American music enjoyed “jamming” with other musicians around the region.
He is survived by his father, of Tacoma, two sisters: Victoria Farnsworth, Tacoma, and Susan Neese, Port Angeles; and four brothers: Jerry Van Pelt, Connell, David Henderson, Tucson, Ariz., Michael Henderson, Suquamish, and Percy Henderson, Seattle; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother in 1994.
A celebration of his life will be held at 7 p.m. April 24 at Seabold Hall on Bainbridge Island.
Wicks, Patricia A. Friday, 11 Apr 2003
Former Bainbridge Island resident Patricia A. Wicks, age 64, died under hospice care April 11 at the Wicks residence in LaConner, after a five-year battle with cancer.
She was born June 23, 1938 in Walla Walla and resided in the University District of Seattle until 1960.
She graduated from Holy Names Academy in 1956, and attended Seattle University and the University of Washington.
She met her husband, John G. Wicks, now a retired navy commander, in San Francisco, Calif., while she was employed with Wells Fargo Bank.
The navy took them to duty tours at San Diego, Calif., Newport, R.I., New Orleans, La., Omaha, Neb., Pensacola, Fla., and many travel destinations as well.
Following retirement in 1979, the Wicks resided on Bainbridge Island for the next 21 years. During six of those years, Patricia was employed by Bainbridge Youth Services, which she helped establish and grow. She then spent seven years as director of volunteers for Hospice of Kitsap County.
She was preceded in death by her parents, David. B. and Opal E. Lonon of Seattle.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, John; her daughter Jocelyn E. Wicks and grandson Jed Gordon Henry of Monroe; her son John M. Wicks and his partner Jenna of Seattle; her sister Elizabeth Erickson and husband Dr. Edwin Erickson of Sunnyvale, Calif.; three nieces, Amy, Bonnie and Naomi Erickson; two nephews, Jessie and David Erickson; and six grand-nephews, Jonathan, Joshua, Jacob, Joseph, Jared and James, all children of David and Ines Erickson of Philomath, Ore.
In addition to family, to whom she was affectionately known as “Big Mama, ” she enjoyed tennis, jazz and good books.
Dates for a private gathering of friends and subsequent burial at Mount Pleasant cemetery in Seattle will be announced.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Hospice of Kitsap County, P.O. Box 3416, Silverdale WA 98383-3416.
Foss, Nancy Lee Wednesday, 09 Apr 2003
Bainbridge native Nancy Lee Foss, age 83, died April 9 at Bremerton Health and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born July 1, 1919 on Bainbridge to Charles A. and Frances (Edna) Lindquist.
She attended grade school at the old Pleasant Beach School and graduated from Bainbridge Island High School.
In 1944, she took a job with the Winslow Marine Shipyard. She latter worked for American Marine Bank on the island.
She married
Cecil Foss in Port Blakely on May 21, 1948. The couple owned Foss Boat Building Co. in Eagledale. She was a member of Eastern Star.
She is survived by her first cousin, Shirley M. Peterson of Poulsbo. At her request, there will be no services. Remembrances can be made to the Bainbridge Island Historical Society.
McDowell, Thomas E. Sunday, 01 Dec 2002
Thomas E. McDowell died Dec. 1 in Bremerton.
He was born Dec, 4, 1920, in Dustin, Okla.
He is survived by his wife, Elsie McDowell of Bainbridge Island; three sons, Tommy (Linda) McDowell of Port Orchard, James McDowell of Seattle, and Douglas (Judy) McDowell of Lakewood; stepson John Backland and stepdaughter Nellie O’Hannes; a brother, Eldon McDowell; sisters Ruth McDowell, Mildred Chandler and Wilma Dyer; and grandchildren Gail and Chris McDowell of Port Orchard, Savannah and Tucker McDowell of Lakewood.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Mountain View Garden Chapel, Tacoma. Friends can sign an online guest book at www.mountainviewtacoma.com.
Schroeder, Carl Richard Sunday, 01 Dec 2002
Carl Richard Schroeder, 68, died Dec. 1 at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle.
He was born April 23, 1934, in Port Huron, Mich., to Carl E. and Elaine (Sawdon) Schroeder.
He was a successful illustrator for the past 30 years. He began his career with the Army Corps of Engineers in Germany where he mastered the versatility that being an artist in the service demands; he painted signs one day and colonel’s portrait the next.
This experience led to more formal training at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida, and finally to Art Center College of Design in California. He spent four years there influenced by some of the nation’s premier illustrators and artists.
For the next three decades, he worked as an illustrator, first in Detroit painting ads for car companies and then as the owner of Nationwide Architectural Arts, Inc. and later as the owner of Northwest Graphics: S&A; Inc.
He illustrated everything from cruise ships, resorts and military ships, planes and missiles to an entire new city in China. His illustrations appeared in Time, Newsweek, Forbes, and Architectural Digest, among other publications.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Schroeder, Bainbridge Island; one son, Neal Andrew Schroeder, Bainbridge Island; one daughter, Dana Lorraine Schroeder, Orlando, Fla.; two brothers, Warren of Washington, Mich., and Bryant of Northville, Mich; two sisters, Jenness Linsday, Mt. Pleasant, Mich., and Melissa Des Jardin, Union, Ky.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at Bainbridge Alliance Church. Burial will follow at Port Blakely cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home.
Smith, Gail Monday, 25 Nov 2002
Gail Smith, age 86, tall ship sailor, seaman, fisherman, dory man, master gardener, water dowser, poet, local historian and forever vigilant activist, passed away quietly Monday morning, Nov. 25, in his cabin‚s rocking chair near the wood stove with his dog and kittens by his feet and favorite books at his elbow.
Gail was born Feb. 8, 1916, in Seattle, the second son of Helen Squires and George Lockwood Smith. In 1918, the Smiths moved to a small farm on what is now Selfors Lane, above Hidden Cove Road in Port Madison. He and his brother had a joyful childhood paddling logs and rowboats around the bay he liked to call "T'Chookwap, " for its Suquamish name.
Gail's mother died when he was 10. Two years before his Bainbridge HS class of 1936 graduated, he left school during Depression years to go to sea on the 5-masted, lumber schooner, VIGILANT, making four round trips to Oahu. After a career on coastal steamships and his own fishing boats, CHIEF SEATTLE and CHIEF JOSEPH, Smith settled into a West Port Madison subsistence farm.
Though he had to leave school, he never left learning. He was a prolific reader and checked more books out of the Bainbridge Library than most. Just before he died, he was reading Eye of the Albatross, a natural history of giant seabirds; Whale‚s Journey, about the relationship between humans and humpback whales; The Race, telling of the first non-stop sailboat race around the world; Vanished Worlds, photographic portraits of Middle Eastern tribes; and Salt of the Sea, Capt. Ed Shield‚s account of the Pacific Coast Cod Fishery.
Smith also taught. His friends learned how to garden; make cider, vinegar, dill pickles and baked beans; smoke fish, bacon and hams; raise chickens, catch fish, care for boats, seek justice, and live life in tune with nature.
Gail is featured in "Last of the NW Lumber Schooners" which highlights his VIGILANT years, and "Gift of a Dory, " films by Lois Shelton / Foxglove Productions. The latter shares the history, restoration and re-launching of his 1945 cod fishing dory, a gift to Peter Kushner and the next generation. Smith was interviewed extensively by marine historian Capt. Harold Huycke of Edmonds. In the PBS documentary, "Visible Targets, " Smith recalled the day his neighbors of Japanese ancestry were uprooted during WW II; and in other short B. Is. Historical Society films, he tells stories of his hand sewn sea bag, ship‚s hammock and splicing tools. Artifacts and films may be viewed at the museum. His life story was recorded by Phoebe Smith in "Glimpses of Bainbridge."
Gail was mentor and inspiration for Vegetable Gardening in the PNW by Jill Severn, his neighbor. His prolific garden, smokehouse and cider press kept many larders full. His root cellar overflowed with potatoes (he loved Snowflake and Finn), apples, and squash readily shared. No finer cider vinegar was ever made than "Ma" Smith's. It made the finest dill pickles-- 26 gallons in his best year! Fires in the stove that warmed his cabin were started with his Stradivarius cedar kindling. Bundled up for holiday gifts, they were too beautiful to burn. He preferred outdoor plumbing, and during the Watergate era, Martha Mitchell's portrait hung on his outhouse wall-- a place of honor. Nixon was less fortunate.
Long before "Adopt a Road, Beach or Park", Gail assumed stewardship of West Port Madison Nature Preserve, annually clearing trails and removing ivy from ancient firs, whose life histories he would readily recite. Ever vigilant, Gail was an outspoken champion of libertarian causes and defender of public rights. More than once, he rallied the troops to prevent attempts to take over parts of the neighborhood park and its stream by "advantageous land swaps." Stanley Komedal, Kitsap Planning Commissioner and Gail were lifetime defenders and stewards of road ends and historic public waterfront accesses.
When asked about adversaries, he‚d smile and say, "I out-lived all my enemies." He converted a few, too. In 1986, he received an "Outstanding Citizen Award" on his 70th birthday. The Association of Bainbridge Communities gave him recognition in 1999 and this year featured him in Joel Sackett‚s book "In Praise of Island Stewards."
Gail respected all life. Hens in his chicken house died of old age. He was on a first name basis with local jays, crows and squirrels. Upon the death of one of his many dogs, poet Smith wrote:
"Oh, God, my master,
Should I gain the grace
To meet thee face to face
When life is ended,
Oh, grant that a little red dog
That once pretended
That I was God,
Will meet me face to face."
Gail was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald Smith in 1958; and is survived by a niece, Deanna Hodson of Bothell, a nephew, Wayne Smith of Port Townsend, many grand and great-grand-nieces and nephews, and an enormous extended family.
A memorial wake and potluck will be held 3 PM, Sunday, Jan. 5 at Island Center Hall. For information, call 842-4164. A friend suggested, "We should make his birthday an annual day to clean Island forests and beaches and to swamp out trails and road ends."
