obituaries
Herb Bridge, 1925-2018
The UW's first Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award honoree was a success in business after his Navy tour.
Dorothy Simpson, 1924-2018
She teamed with her husband to make her mark at the UW through generosity and service.
June 2, 2018
Mr. Smith’s journey
With core values formed by his Chehalis upbringing, Orin Smith went on to become a business leader who knew how to treat people right.
March 1, 2018
Donald Matthews, 1925-2007
In post-Vietnam America, when political activity on college campuses caused rising tensions, Donald Matthews used his passion for politics to ease conflict and create a lasting legacy. The political science professor died Nov. 3.
March 24, 2017
Memorials: March 2017 Issue
To report an obituary, email columns@uw.edu or write to Columns Magazine.
June 1, 2015
Ivan Doig, 1939-2015
Whenever I wander by Smith Hall, I reflect about the home of the UW’s esteemed History Department, as well as the place where, in 1969, a doctoral student wrote a memoir about losing his mother at age 6 and being raised by his father and grandma in hardscrabble Montana. Of course, I am referring to Ivan Doig’s first book.
Jon Bridgman
In the 1950 film La Ronde, the narrator states: “I adore the past. It’s so much more restful than the present and so much more certain than the future.” History Professor Jon Bridgman said that this scene captured his perspective.
Norman Johnston, 1918-2015
Professor Emeritus Norman Johnston had the buttons on his blazers replaced by those bearing the University of Washington’s crest; such was his love for this University.
March 1, 2015
Gerberding's legacy
Though the longest-serving president in UW history (from 1979 to 1995) is no longer with us—the North Dakota native died Dec. 27 at the age of 85 after suffering a stroke—his imprint on the University is indelible.
Wayne Quinton, 1921-2015
Often referred to as UW’s “father of bioengineering,” Wayne Quinton drew upon his knowledge in electronics, physics and materials to address unmet needs, especially in the field of medicine.
Naomi Pascal, 1926-2014
Naomi Brenner Pascal was a legend, not only at the UW, but also in the world of international academic publishing.
Albert L. Babb, 1925-2014
Albert L. “Les” Babb joined the UW chemical engineering faculty in 1952 and spent more than 40 years at the UW. He led the development of a curriculum in nuclear engineering and chaired the Department of Nuclear Engineering from 1965 to 1982.
March 1, 2014
Sally Skinner Behnke, 1923-2013
Sally Skinner Behnke, who died Dec. 12 at age 90, made a huge difference in the Seattle community—and to the UW.
Debra Friedman, 1955–2014
Debra Friedman loved the University of Washington. She earned two degrees here, served as a UW faculty member and administrator from 1994 to 2005, and in 2011, became chancellor of UW Tacoma—a job she threw herself into.
Jack R. MacDonald, 1915–2013
When Jack R. MacDonald died Sept. 13 at age 98, a $187.6 million charitable trust was provided for three of this favorite causes in Western Washington: the UW School of Law, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and The Salvation Army’s Northwest Division.
September 1, 2013
Brewster Denny, 1924-2013
Brewster C. Denny, who died June 22 at age 88, held several key roles in the federal government before honoring the call from UW President Charles Odegaard to return home to Seattle to create an academic program in public affairs.
June 1, 2013
Bryan Pearce, 1958-2013
The University of Washington community lost one of its most beloved members when Bryan Pearce, longtime University Book Store CEO and UWAA board member, died April 20 at the age of 55 from cancer.
June 1, 2012
Norbert Untersteiner, 1926-2012
Norbert Untersteiner, a UW professor and legendary polar scientist who was considered the founder of modern sea ice physics, died March 14. He was 86.
Thomas James Pressly, 1919-2012
Thomas James Pressly, who taught history at the UW for almost 40 years, died April 3. He was 93.