Honoring Industry Leaders
Memorial Scholarships & Grants
Special scholarships and grants managed by WAEF honor the visionary leaders and dedicated members that shaped the tree fruit industry. These award funds are established by family members, industry organizations, peers and friends of our former leaders. Learn more about their lives and the industry’s past…
- A.C. Davis
- Betty Lou Campbell Loudon
- Brian Fisher
- Brian Kershaw
- Carl Joseph Herke
- Carl Perleberg
- C. G. Robbins
- Charles Miller
- Danna Gebbers Guzman
- Daryl Jon Matson
- Deb Krautwurm
- Delmar Smith
- Donald Morse
- Dorothy Plath
- Doug Zahn
- E. Ralph and Ida Strausz
- Feliciano Benitez
- Fred Valentine
- Gerald Nolen
- Gerri Whiteaker
- Grady Auvil and Lillie Auvil
- Glady Bellamy
- Harold E. Grim
- Helen Zahn
- Horace M. Gilbert and Marion Richey Gilbert
- Howard Hauff and Helen Hauff
- Irmgard “Susi” Harris
- Dr. Jack Batjer
- Jacquelyn Horan McDougall
- James E "Jim" Loudon
- Jerry Haak
- Jim Matson
- Jim Wade
- Joe Bulleri
- John Daniel Gebbers
- Jonathan Lee Crane
- Karl J. Hendershott
- Lester Moser
- Louis Van Doren Sr.
- Orville M. Peebles and Bertha Peebles
- Paul and Vera Jean Mortimer
- Phil Jenkins
- Richard Clements
- Richard Keller
- Robert J. Allan and Hope Whitenack Allan
- Robert "Bob" McDougall
- Robert Prince
- Terry Kelson
- Thomas Kyle Mathison
- Warren Morgan
- Wilbur and Frankie Adams
- William “Bill” Luce
- William W. Dewitt
A.C. (Angus Charles) Davis
1880-1967
A.C. (Angus Charles) Davis was an educator and community worker for nearly 65 years. Mr. Davis had a significant impact on the Yakima school system, having served as a teacher, principal and superintendent over his career. Mr. Davis was in integral part in the development, growth and success in the Yakima system: During his 38 years as superintendent, pupils enrolled increased from 3,000 to 7,000.
The personal and professional achievements of Mr. Davis are vast and far from ordinary. In 1919, he went to France as a member of the American Education Corps after World War I. He served as a member of the Washington Education Association for many years and as its president in 1920. He was also a member of the American Association of School Administrators. Locally, he was a member of the YMCA board, the Salvation Army board, the USO board, and the city library board. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, the Yakima Rotary Club, where he served as president in 1934 and the Masonic Lodge. He also served on the board of directors of the American Red Cross.
Described as a gentleman of the old school, who had a delightful sense of humor, as well as a good husband and loving father, Mr. Davis encouraged many to greater goals. He had three daughters, Dorothy Plath, Marietta Cyphers, and Marjorie Arnold.
The children of Dorothy Plath established a scholarship in memory of their mother and grandfather. Seniors at A.C. Davis High School are eligible to apply. Those selected demonstrate financial need and excellence in academics, community & school involvement and overall character.
Betty Campbell Loudon
1931-2006
Betty Campbell Loudon was born in Pomeroy, WA on April 28, 1931 to Walter and Elveta Campbell. Mrs. Loudon attended grade school in Anatone and graduated from Clarkston High School in 1949. She then attended Washington State University, where she majored in Home Economics and Education, graduating in 1953. Mrs. Loudon’s quickly found a teaching position at Highland High School (Teiton, WA) where she taught home economics.
In December 1953 Mrs. Loudon married James Loudon. She accompanied him while he was in the Air Force and in 1956 the couple settled in Wenatchee to raise their family. Mr. & Mrs. Loudon raised three daughters, Linda Kay, Pamela Jean and Kathy Ann.
Mrs. Loudon had a passion for travel and experiencing new places. She visited all 50 states, nine Canadian provinces and six continents. Ocean cruises were a favorite form of travel in later years.
Mrs. Loudon was an avid reader, reading everything, but mysteries were her favorite.
Mrs. Loudon led a full life filled with school and community activities. In college she was a member of the debate team. While raising her daughters she was active in many of their activities, including Camp Fire and 4H. She especially enjoyed her CC Chapter of PEO for many years. She was the past president of the Women of Rotary, a member of the Home Economics Association, Hospital Guild D, Wenatchee First United Methodist Church and Appleland Sams. Mrs. Loudon worked part time for the Census Bureau and the Washington State Agriculture Statistics Reporting Service for ten years.
Mrs. Loudon was survived by her husband of 52 years, Jim; their daughters, Linda (Keith) Hightower, Pam (Steve) Earnest, Kathy (Doug) McCary and nine grandchildren.
The Betty Campbell Loudon Memorial Scholarship was created by her family and friends in honor of her life. It will assist young people from the Wenatchee Valley pursuing a Family and Consumer Sciences or Education Degree at Washington State University.
Brian Keith Fisher
Brian Keith Fisher, of Port Orchard, Washington, died at his home on Sunday May 3 from metastatic prostate cancer. He was seventy-five years old. Brian is survived by his wife, Casandra Firman; daughters Cassandra Swoope (Douglas), Keri Multerer (Boyd), Cheryl Fisher, and Gabriella Fisher; and three younger siblings, Diane Fisher, Lynn Corrigan (Dan), and Al Fisher (Tammy).
Brian’s life was driven by his need to learn, innovate, and leave the world a better place. His long-term career in electronics began in the 1960s at Hewlett Packard. He went on to work as an engineer for John Fluke Manufacturing and Mica Laminates. In the 1970s, Brian founded American Pacific Marketing (APM) which provided the electronics industry with many of the consumables now used in electronic plating and drilling. Starting in his garage, APM eventually filled a large Redmond warehouse and employed over 60 people. In 1997, APM was sold to Electrical Insulation Suppliers (EIS) and Brian joined forces with them to coordinate sales of APM’s broad product line. Brian left EIS to manage the North American division of the Luxemburg-based copper foil supplier, Circuit Foil.
In the early 2000s, Brian’s career path switched from electronics to agriculture, specifically to the field of controlled pollination. Brian worked with pollen industry leaders to develop improved application, harvesting, and processing technologies and was a leader in domestic and international sales. Brian was actively meeting with orchardists and pollen processers and distributers in New Zealand only months before his death. He had no plans to retire. Brian loved his work and the people he worked with.
Brian was seldom at rest. During the late 1970s and 80s, he sailed boats for pleasure and competition. As a private pilot he traveled all over the United States, including Alaska. He was a scuba diver and dove in many of the oceans of the world, including Truk Lagoon, Palau, Yap, Cozumel, the Virgin Islands, as well as in his own back yard: Puget Sound and the inland waterways. Brian enjoyed hunting with Black Powder rifles. Being in the woods at elk camp was one of his greatest joys. He and his wife, Casandra, traveled together extensively throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and New Zealand.
Brian loved the challenge of building something from nothing. With his sawmill, a well-equipped woodshop, and whatever logs he could buy or salvage, Brian created everything from board games and garden sheds to fine furniture. His handiwork is present in the house he built with his wife, and many of his friends and relatives benefitted from the products of his woodworking.
People who knew him well would characterize Brian as a teacher and mentor. He was generous with his time, and the friends who visited his woodshop were soon participating in one woodworking project or another, with Brian cheerleading them on. On some level, he is cheering them on still.
Brian’s personality was as warm and impactful as his hair and beard were wild and unruly. His legacy of achievement through grit and determination will be passed on through the stories of his children, grandchildren, and others touched by his friendship. Brian loved his family tremendously. He will be missed by all he knew. In his memory, and to honor his commitment to the agriculture industry and the workers who labor to bring food to our tables, please consider donating to a foundation that helps farm workers and their children through academic scholarships.
Brian Kershaw
1966 – 1996
During his elementry and high school years Mr. Kershaw was an avid skier, a “Roadrunner” soccer player, an All League football player and a State Championship golf participant as a “Carroll Patriot.” At Gonzaga, he developed a special interest in computers, becoming totally absorbed in his “Apple” and “Mac.” This passion remained and served him well as a management tool. Brian would escape to music to calm his soul. An accomplished electric guitar player, he enjoyed spending his precious free time creating and “jammin’.”
Mr. Kershaw enjoyed recreation, computers, animals, music, friends and family. He was described as a gentle person, a loving husband, a quiet leader and a “good guy.” With his varied interests and many responsibilities, Mr. Kershaw led a full life.
He was survived by his wife Stephanie, his parents Ed & Mary Ann Kershaw and his brother Kevin.
Friends and family of Brian Kershaw created this memorial fund to honor his life. A $1500 scholarship is awarded yearly to a student who has grown up in a tree fruit family from Yakima County, and who will be studying for a future career in the tree fruit industry.
Carl Joseph Herke
1962 – 2005
Carl Joseph Herke was born in Yakima on April 22, 1962 to Joseph and Geraldine Herke. He lived his entire life in Cowiche, raised on the family farm.
Mr. Herke’s passion for farming and “big toys” began at the young age of four when he began to drive tractor without his feet even touching the pedals. He possessed an innate ability to fix and operate heavy machinery, turning an enjoyable skill into a successful business; he was considered an expert on the backhoe, caterpillar, trencher, dump truck road grader and track hoe. He loved his work and experienced a thrill when maneuvering tight locations and solving complicated situations ibalance and precision.
Following his graduation from Highland High School in 1981, he began a more active role in the family businesses. Mr. Herke shared a special relationship with his father and together they expanded the family farm and excavation business, eventually creating Herke and Herke Enterprises. He enjoyed having his young children with him during the day and frequently they could be seen riding with him in his trucks and other “big toys.”
An unpretentious and trusting man, he dealt with other based on a handshake and man’s word. He was known as generous man always willing to pitch in and help friends and family. Mr. Herke’s favorite pastimes included boating, water-skiing, jet-skiing, snowmobiling and four-wheeling. He loved his children very much and spent as much time as possible with them, bringing together friends and family for weekend outings and vacations.
Mr. Herke died due to complications from amyloidosis in 2005. He was 43. He was survived by his two children, Ahnalee Louise Herke and Paul Weston Herke; his parents, Joseph and Geraldine; his grandmother, Willa Hambrook; two sisters, Elizabeth (Joseph) Stump and Teresa (Pat) Long.
Family and friends of Mr. Herke established the Carl Herke Memorial scholarship at the time of his death. The scholarship is awarded yearly in his honor to graduating seniors of Highland High School pursuing a two year degree at an accredited community college or technical school.
Carl Perleberg
1930 – 1992
Carl Perleberg was born in 1930 to Gilbert and Greta Perleberg in Union City, New Jersey. He attended schools in Fort Lee before graduating from Rutgers University with a degree in pomology. In 1953, Carl married Gisela (Gie) Pruesse.
Mr. Perleberg began his employment in the nursery business soon after graduation from Rutgers. He was employed in the industry in both New Jersey and California before he and Gie relocated to make their home in Quincy in 1956. Mr. & Mrs. Perleberg started Columbia Basin Nursery commercially in 1960; although, many say it really began in their backyard soon after moving to Quincy. The family built the business into an extensive nursery and orchard.
Mr. Perleberg was a well known, respected nurseryman and industry leader. He was recognized for his unique & innovative business and agriculture philosophy and was known to speak openly about his views on horticulture, industry politics and life in general. He was a speaker in the US & Canada as well as other parts of the world as he traveled.
Mr. Perleberg was active in the Columbia Basin Horticulture Association and the Washington State Horticultural Association and was an organizer of the annual Farmer Consumer Awareness Day in Quincy. He was a member of the Washington State Nursery Association, the American Association of Nurserymen, the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association, International Plant Propagators and other trade organizations.
Mr. & Mrs. Perleberg have two daughters Dena and Carla, both of Quincy, and both involved in the family nursery business.
The Carl Perleberg Memorial Travel Award has been established through the Washington Apple Education Foundation by family and friends of Carl. The purpose of the award is to recognize the contributions Mr. Perleberg made to the industry in his lifetime while providing industry members with the opportunity to travel abroad and domestically to tree fruit growing regions where information may be gleaned on growing processes. Recipients of the travel award will share information upon return for the benefit of the entire tree fruit industry. In recent past, the travel grants have been awarded to current WAEF scholarship recipients to attend the annual Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting.
C.G. Robbins
1936-2007
C. G. Robbins was born December 9, 1936 in Idabel, Oklahoma to Curtis andLucille Robbins. He died November 10, 2007 near his long-time home in Tieton.
The Robbins family moved to the Cowiche-Tieton area when Mr. Robbins wasten-years old. He attended school in the Highland School District, excelling in every organized sport offered. Mr. Robbins athletic acumen led him to Central Washington College (now Central Washington University) where he added the school’s boxing champion title to his trophy room currently featuring the undefeated 1955-56 Light Heavy Weight Boxing Champion of the Yakima Valley crown. At Central, Mr. Robbins also played college football.
An injury ended his college sports career after his freshman year and Mr. Robbinsjoined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Germany.
Mr. Robbins devoted his life to his family, friends and farming in Tieton. Hispurchased his first orchard with long-time friend Ralph Strand soon after returning from his Air Force tour. In addition to managing his own acreage, Mr. Robbins worked for Strand Apples until retirement in 2000.
Mr. Robbins was quick to help others but slow to ask for anything. He believed inhard work and minding his own business, unless someone needed him. Mr. Robbins gave generously to children in his community, enjoying time spent coaching young people.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors included his sisters, Joyce Mcdonaldand Wilma J. Robbins; brother, Pink Robbins; and nieces and nephews.
Mr. Robbins sister Wilma Robbins created this scholarship in his memory to assiststudents raised in her brother’s home community attend college.
Charles Miller
1917 – 1973
Born to Charles and Hilda Miller in Pateros in 1917, Mr. Miller grew up in the farming community of Pateros assisting his family in their apple orchard. Following his graduation from high school, he attended Washington State University graduating in 1941 with a degree in horticulture. Mr. Miller returned to Okanogan County to begin plying his trade until the day of the Pearl Harbor attack when he quickly volunteered for the Air Force. During his tour of duty he completed 47 missions in a B24.
Mr. Miller was employed by Northwest Wholesale, Inc. in Brewster at the time of his death in 1973. As an orchardist himself, he frequently tried new practices on his own orchard, and if they worked, he adopted them for other growers. He was noted for stretching the spray dollar without sacrificing control.
Charles J. Miller was a supreme horticulturist, outstanding fieldman, a friend and a leader of Washington fruit growers. Mr. Miller believed that traveling to orchard areas in this great land and in foreign countries was an important part of his service to fruit growers. Through such travel he gained ideas and experiences which were helpful to horticulture.
Mr. Miller was survived by his wife Jean, and two sons, Marshall and Mark.
To carry on his search for knowledge, Mrs. Miller and family established the Charles Miller Travel Fund to encourage travel with the purpose of increasing knowledge of new fruit production and handling techniques. Additional contributions to this fund have been made throughout the years by the North Central Washington Fieldmen’s Association. The award is presented every other year during the Washington State Horticultural Association annual meeting to an industry member who plans to travel abroad or to a different fruit growing region within the United States and return to the industry with new knowledge.
Danna Sue Guzman
1953-2014
Danna Sue (Gebbers) Guzman was born in Brewster, to Dan and Reba (Riggan) Gebbers. She went to school in the Brewster School District and graduated with her classmates as a 12-year Senior in 1971. After graduating, she attended Eastern Washington State College for two years, before finishing her education at the Deaconess School of Nursing in Wenatchee, where she earned her Nursing degree in 1975.
Throughout high school, Danna worked as a Candy Striper in the local community and continued serving by working at the hospital on weekends throughout college. Danna’s lifelong mission was to care for people. Her specialty was working with and helping the elderly and their families.
She had an infectious laugh and a great sense of humor. She was never afraid to express her opinion and always shared her faith. She liked to send daily Bible verses to encourage others to believe in Christ, her Savior. Her home church was the Calvary Baptist Church in Brewster.
Danna was a lifelong resident of Brewster, WA. She married Pat Thompson and they had three children, Melanie, Brian and Jason. She then married the love of her life, Pedro Guzman, who was with her every day for 23 years. They had one daughter, Reba.
She and Howard Gamble were two of the biggest fans at the Brewster sporting events, where they enjoyed sitting next to each other. She loved politics and was a constant listener of Rush Limbaugh and Don Imus. Tiger Woods was her favorite golfer, and she knew everything about The Masters Tournament. She loved NASCAR and Jeff Gordon.
Danna loved her grandparents, John and Martha (Gamble) Gebbers. At the time of her birth, Martha had them blow the sawmill whistle in celebration. She spent many hours with John and Martha riding horses, taking car rides, going to Alta Lake and spending time on the ranch.
Danna was a voracious reader. She never was without a book, sometimes reading multiple books at the same time. She encouraged her grandchildren and children to read, sometimes having them read aloud to her. Not only did she encourage reading, but also encouraged her grandchildren to explore their artistic side. She proudly displayed all of their artwork on nearly every wall of her home.
She served honorably on the Brewster Flat Irrigation Board, helping to ensure future water supply for agriculture in the area. She also served on the Board of Directors at The Apple House Warehouse and Storage.
Danna’s family created this scholarship in her honor to support the dreams of those that want to make a difference through a career in nursing.
Daryl Jon Matson
1954 – 2015
Daryl Jon Matson passed following a courageous battle with cancer on November 11, 2015.
Daryl was a Selah native attending Selah schools from kindergarten to high school graduation in 1972. Following graduation, he attended Yakima Valley Community College and then the University of Washington where he studied business and communications. He was a loyal Husky fan maintaining season tickets and attending as many as games possible. His advice for young people selecting a college was to “Make sure they have a good football team.”
After college graduation, Daryl returned home to work with the family business, Matson Fruit Company, where he worked with harvest trucking and dispatch and managing the cull fruit inventory. As the business grew and became more complex, Daryl formed and managed the HR department for the company. He was extremely thorough and thoughtful in all that he did for the employees of the business.
Daryl was intellectually very curious. He was an avid reader using books to expand his knowledge on a variety of topics and interests, from sports stadiums to President Lincoln’s assassination.
He was known for his wonderful sense of humor and the joy he shared with his family, especially at Christmas.
Daryl was the son of Joan (Bakker) and Richard “Dick” Matson and the brother of Rod (Carmen) Matson and Bradley Matson (Melissa Taylor) and many nieces and nephews.
The award in his honor was created by his family in his memory. It provides college scholarship opportunities to children whose parents are employed at Matson Fruit Company.
Deborah “Deb” Krautwurm
1953-2011
Deborah “Deb” Krautwurm was born November 8, 1953. She passed away August 14, 2011. Deb spent her entire life in the Yakima Valley. She graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1971.
Deb began her career in insurance with a locally owned firm that later became Fred S. James and ultimately after several name changes, Wells Fargo Insurance Services. She began in the private client services department, moving through the commercial account manager role and serving as a producer/account executive at the time of her death. Deb was trusted by many tree fruit industry producers with their insurance business. She loved the work, the challenges and the ability to satisfy clients day after day.
In addition to her career, Deb enjoyed time with her family, serving the community through various community organizations, puttering around her home and garden, spending time with her two Scottish Terriers, feeding her addiction to golf and traveling with her friends throughout the USA and abroad. She was always willing to try a new place – at least once.
Deb’s devotion to the Rotary was paramount in her life. She was elected to be the first female President of the Downtown Rotary in 2002. She was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Yakima Rotary Trust in 2005. Deb was instrumental in establishing the Rotary Trust College Scholarship Program which was funded by a $20 million gift. In July 2011 she became the President of the Rotary Trust Board. She was revered by her fellow Rotarians. She personified the Rotary mantra of “service above self” as a Rotarian and in her profession and personal life.
Deb was involved with the Washington Apple Education Foundation during its formative years and continued participation as a frequent donor and participant in the Foundation’s annual golf tournament. Deb and a group of female industry friends were present annually at one or both the golf tournaments to keep the predominantly male field in check.
Deb had a very engaging personality with a continuous twinkle in her eye. Her generosity of spirit was a gift to all who knew her. She was loved and adored by an extended family of friends.
The scholarship in her honor is funded by PayneWest Insurance to assist young men and women raised in the tree fruit industry achieve access to higher education.
Delmar Smith
1934 – 1995
Delmar Smith was born to Ralph & Dolly Smith in Ponca, Nebraska in December of 1934. The family relocated to Oroville, WA where Mr. Smith graduated from high school in 1952. Mr. Smith continued his education at Wenatchee Valley College receiving his degree in 1954.
Mr. Smith was an active member of the Tonasket community. His passion for kids and education led him to serve on the Tonasket School Board where he was a participating board member for twelve years. Boy Scouts also provided a venue for him to impact the lives of young people. A favorite activity of his was to lead Boy Scout troops on an annual 50 mile hike.
Mr. Smith’s faith was evident in his leadership roles on the board of directors and as a church deacon with the Ellisforde Church of the Brethren, where his family attended services. Mr. Smith was a past president of the Tonasket Kiwanis Club and enjoyed serving the community on various committees. He believed investments in community made for a better place to live and work for all citizens.
A pear and apple orchardist, Mr. Smith farmed forty acres in Okanogan County. He was a member of the Washington State Horticultural Association (WSHA). Mr. Smith served on several committees of the WSHA but was particularly keen on as assisting the industry navigate important political issues. He also served on the board of the Oroville-Tonasket Irrigation District.
Mr. Smith was survived by his wife, Sally; two children, Randy (Lana) Smith and Kathy (Calvin) Mikkelson; and grandchildren Jake, Kaitlyn and Allyson Smith and Theresa Simmons.
Don Morse
1901 – 1986
Don Morse was born January 6, 1901 in Foster City, Michigan to William and Elizabeth (White) Morse; he was one of twenty children. The family moved frequently pursuing logging jobs for his father. When Mr. Morse was nine years of age his mother died forcing his father to split up the children amongst aunts and uncles. Mr. Morse and his five older brothers remained with their father and began a two year trip by wagon to Snohomish to live with his grandparents.
When the war broke out Mr. Morse’s older brothers enlisted in the military prompting him to move to Wenatchee and begin employment with a family looking after their children. It was during this time that Mr. Morse graduated from high school. He set his sights on becoming a horticulturalist and enrolled at Washington State College, managing a large dormitory to cover his school expenses. Mr. Morse spent three years in the National Guard and one year in ROTC.
Mr. Morse continued to return to Chelan County during the summer months and after his undergraduate schooling was completed returned to work full time as an orchard manager, overseeing ranches in Chelan, Orondo and Cashmere. In 1934 he began work for the Chelan Valley Warehouse, it was not long until he was promoted to shed foreman. His trademark whistle and smile was remembered fondly by those who worked for him. In 1954 Mr. Morse was given the job of fieldmen for the Chelan Valley Warehouse, a novelty in the industry at the time as he was one of the first two fieldmen in the region. His employment with Chelan Valley Warehouse, now known as Chelan Fruit Cooperative, spanned over forty years and several mergers.
Mr. Morse never married or had children of his own but his community was blessed by his love and devotion to Chelan’s young people. Town lore is that Mr. Morse regularly attended youth sporting events to distribute free apples to community members. In 1946 Mr. Morse purchased a parcel of land and fixed it up for kids to come and play games, it was known as Don Morse Park (the first).
“Proxy Don, Uncle Don, Super Scouter, Doctor Don, Geologist Don, Botanist Don, Lifesaver Don, Fisherman Don” and so on were some of the names he was given as Scoutmaster of Troop 53, a position he held for 37 years. It is his role in guiding the growth of over 1000 boys that Mr. Morse was most highly celebrated. At one time, Mr. Morse had the largest troop in the United States. In 1950 he received the highest honor in Scouting, the Silver Beaver award. Through Mr. Morse’s dedication and encouragement, fourteen of his troop members earned Eagle Scout awards.
The community of Chelan bestowed many honors on Mr. Morse for his selfless contributions to the community’s youth, including Citizen of the Year in 1954 and Citizenship Award in 1977, Distinguished Service Award by the Chelan Jaycees, honorary life memberships in the Lake Chelan Grange and the Chelan PTA, and following his death, the city’s public park was dedicated in his honor and renamed Don Morse Memorial Park. Over 1000 signatures were collected in support of the park’s dedication in 1987.
Mr. Morse was a member of the Chelan United Methodist Church, the Lake Chelan Lions Club, Chelan Rod and Gun Club, Lake Chelan Grange, and Lake Chelan Eagles Aerie 2218, where he served as president in 1946.
Members of Chelan Fruit Cooperative created this scholarship in honor of Don Morse. It is available to graduating seniors who parents are employees or growers of cooperative.
Dorothy Plath
March 8, 1925 – July 31, 2016
Dorothy “Dodo” Plath was a dynamic and philanthropic community member and a graciously devoted mother and wife. Dorothy was born in 1925 to Yakima’s prominent Davis family: her father was A.C. Davis for whom the local high school is named. She grew up excelling at academics, graduating from Yakima High in 1941 at the age of 16. She attended Yakima Junior College and then on to University of Washington, graduating in 1945 magna cum laude at the age of 20. She was a proud active lifetime member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
Upon graduating from UW, Dorothy became a statistician and researcher with the West Council of Cannery Workers, a union affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Dorothy became a dedicated member of the League of Women Voters, was involved with board positions on the YWCA, and the State Board of Community College Education. She was instrumental in the development of the Yakima Tennis Club and a founding member of The Russians reading group.
In 1948 Dorothy married her equal in love, life and character, Fred Plath. She and Fred began giving back to the valley and industry that had given them so much. The Plath Pathway, Washington Apple Education Foundation Scholarships and Plath Hall at JM Perry bear their name but were gifts from the heart and were organizations that they firmly believed in and made a positive difference.
They loved being able to be a part of something that improved, empowered, enriched and of course educated! Dorothy and Fred were blessed with three sons, Peter (Bea), Rick (Lisa) and Cliff (Janie), seven grandchildren, Daniel (Bri) Plath, Leslie (Jacob) Johnson, Katy Plath, Marianne Plath (Hunter), Nick Plath (Monica), Gilbert Plath, and Sarah Plath and five great-grandchildren, Davis, Bennett & Graham Plath and Charley and Grady Johnson.
Her family created this scholarship to honor her memory, along with that of her father, A.C. Davis, and support graduates of A.C. Davis High School.
Douglas Zahn
1924 – 2001
George Douglas Zahn was born in the Methow Valley in 1924. He attended a one-room schoolhouse at Gold Creek. He earned his eighth grade certificate from the Carlton School and graduated from Pateros High School in 1942. Mr. Zahn continued his education at Washington State University and earn a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics.
Mr. Zahn returned to the Methow Valley following his graduation from Washington State University to farm apples and pears. He was a great outdoorsman who spent the majority of his time outside, both farming and recreating.
Mr. Zahn was a political voice. He was a lifetime member of the Washington State Horticultural Association and was active with the Okanogan Hort Association, Washington State Farm Bureau, Okanogan County Farm Bureau, Washington Growers Clearing House, Methow Valley Water Alliance, Methow Valley Ground Water Advisory Committee, Soil Conservation Service and the Methow Valley Masonic Lodge. Mr. Zahn served as an officer of many of the associations in which he belonged.
Mr. Zahn was honored with the title of Apple Citizen of the year in 2000 and Okanogan Grower of the Year in 1993.
He was a World War II veteran and served in the South Pacific campaign.
He was survived by his wife Helen and four children.
The scholarship fund honoring Doug Zahn was established by the Washington Growers Clearing House in 2001 and each year a graduating senior from Okanogan County is awarded a scholarship. In 2020, Helen Zahn passed away. Through contributions made by friends and family, the scholarship fund has grown and now recognizes the contributions of both husband and wife for their legacies to their family, community and industry.
E. Ralph: 1920 – 1997
Ida: 1912 – 2002
E. Ralph and Ida Strausz were fruit growers for 65 years, raising apples, pears and cherries and processing them through the Cowiche Growers, Inc. under the label Hy-Land-Kids. This cooperative was originally organized by nine men, one of whom was Arthur E. Strausz, father of E. Ralph, and the original warehouse was built by his grandfather Jacob Strausz. Not only did E. Ralph Strausz eventually become President of the Cowiche Growers, Inc., he was employed there as a young college student in the early 1930s making boxes. The job helped Mr. Strausz finance his college education.
Mr. Strausz was also active in the Cowiche community. He was Chairman of the Highland School District board of directors. He served his church, Highland United Methodist Church in Tieton, in various capacities. Mr. Strausz loved fishing and being in the Cascade Mountains; he loved sports and had Husky football tickets for a number of years; he was an avid bowler.
Mrs. Strausz was an avid rose grower and had a wonderful green thumb. She was a member of the Antique Club and loved collecting glassware and porcelain. She was a very good cook and her apple pies were the best! For about 35 years, Mrs. Strausz was the organist at Highland United Methodist Church, and her love of music was her lifeblood. She learned how to play the family’s pump organ by ear at age three and enjoyed playing throughout her life.
Mr. and Mrs. Strausz raised two children, Judy Strausz-Clement of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Ken Strausz of Edmonds, Washington. They also had 4 grandchildren, Todd Strausz of Edmonds, Stephanie Strausz of Edmonds, Karen Clark of Seattle and Christopher Strausz-Clark of Seattle.
Both E. Ralph and Ida graduated from Cowiche High School in 1929. Ida attended Ellensburg Normal School and Ralph graduated from the University of Washington in 1936 with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting. They lived most of their lives in Cowiche until moving to a retirement community in Redmond, Washington in 1995.
The scholarship fund honoring E. Ralph & Ida Strausz was created by their children in 2003. Each year a Highland High School graduating senior is awarded a $500 scholarship.
Feliciano Benitez
1958-2017
Feliciano Benitez was born December 6th, 1958 in Cerro de Ortega, Colima, Mexico. He migrated to the United States as a young man and began a long career in the tree fruit industry that began in the 1970s and continued until the time that he lost his battle with cancer in 2017.
Feliciano and his wife, Antonia, proudly raised four children, Alejandro, Crystal, Hector and Alejandro, in their home in Wapato where they stressed the importance of education and hard work. His son Hector shared that his father was always willing to put it all on the line for his kids; there was never a cost too high. His favorite advice to share was “Never Give Up” and “Work hard to be someone in your world.”
Feliciano’s career with Gilbert Orchards meant a great deal to him and his family. Antonia, and their sons Alejandro, Hector and Alejandro, all work for Gilbert Orchards. Hector shared that he believed his father’s work as a supervisor in the industry meant the most to him because it allowed him to help people and develop their potential. He devoted his life to growing trees and farming and had a true gift for his vocation. Feliciano attended university in Mexico studying horticulture and received his GED in the United States.
Though family and career were important to Feliciano, so was faith and community. He took great strides to make a difference to those living in his home community of Wapato and his birth home in Mexico. Feliciano and Antonia visited prisons and shared scripture with inmates locally and in Mexico. He was musical, sharing this gift in the church choir and in prisons. He participated in Wapato’s annual reenactment of Christ’s crucifixion supporting the effort through his time and financial resources. Feliciano was a resource to family and friends arriving from Mexico, especially during the 1980s, providing places to live and leads for employment.
Feliciano was an avid soccer fan remaining loyal to his Mexican roots whenever the Mexico national team played.
The Gilbert family established this scholarship in honor of their longtime friend and member of the Gilbert Orchards family. In Feliciano’s memory, the award is open to students graduating from Wapato High School.
Fred Valentine
1935-2016
Fred Valentine was a well-known tree fruit industry leader who spent over 60 years devoted to horticulture and field work. Fred, who was not from a tree fruit growing family, grew up in Tennessee. His family moved to the Pacific Northwest when he was 12 years old.
Fred first developed his interest in horticulture during high school when he worked for a local orchardist. He later attended Wenatchee Valley College where he further educated his passion for the industry. Fred worked as a fieldman for Blue Star Growers in Cashmere for more than 30 years and was a significant force in commercializing the Cameo apple. Fred also worked for Dole Fruit Co. in Wenatchee and later Stemilt Growers.
During his last 10 years before retirement, he worked as a senior horticulturist for Van Well Nursery in East Wenatchee. Fred served on many boards of industry organizations including Tree Top, the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission and as board president of the Washington State Horticultural Association. He was an excellent fieldman with a lively attitude and love of the fruit industry.
Fred was married to Carol Valentine. They had three daughters, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The scholarship in his name was created by the North Central Washington Fieldman’s Association to assist students in attending Wenatchee Valley College and prepare them for a career in the tree fruit industry.
1927 – 1993
Gerald “Jerry” Nolen was an orchardist in East Wenatchee, Washington and a forty year veteran and leader of the farm chemical supply business.
Mr. Nolen’s career in the tree fruit industry began with the Washington State Department of Agriculture working on summer survey crews, while he was in college. Upon his graduation from Washington State University with a bachelors degree in horticulture in 1953, he was hired as a fieldman with HR Spinner Company (HR Spinner Company was purchased by Wilbur Ellis Company during Mr. Nolen’s employment). At the time of his death, Mr. Nolen was employed as the director of the ag-chemical fertilizer department for Wilbur Ellis Company and chairman of Wilbur Ellis’ fertilizer committee for the nation.
Mr. Nolen served his country in the US Coast Guard from 1944-1946 (Petty Officer), and in the US Navy Reserve from 1946 to 1951. He graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate Air Force – ROTC, and was a Commissioned Second Lieutenant. From 1951-1975 he served in the Air Force Reserve retiring with the rank of Major.
Mr. Nolen was serving as president of the Washington State Horticultural Association at the time of his death. In addition to his service on the Washington State Horticultural Association board of directors, he was also a member of the North Central Washington Fieldmen’s Association, Wenatchee Horticultural Society, Wenatchee Junior College Vo-Ag Advisory Board, Western Agricultural Chemical Association, Washington State Pesticide Consultants Association and Washington State Department of Agriculture Governor’s Advisory Board. Mr. Nolen served as an officer of many of these organizations.
Mr. Nolen welcomed the tremendous changes that swept the agriculture industry. He was a vocal opponent of government regulations, yet a staunch supporter of farm safety and environmental protection. As an orchardist himself, he described the farmer as “the biggest gambler in the world.”
Mr. Nolen was survived by his wife Nita of East Wenatchee and five children, Gerald Henry, Autumn Marie, Georgie Ann, Warren Nicholas and Peter Shawn.
The Gerald Nolen Memorial scholarship fund was created by the Washington State Horticultural Association Research & Scholarship Foundation in 1994Gerald “Jerry” Nolen was an orchardist in East Wenatchee, Washington and a forty year veteran and leader of the farm chemical supply business
Mr. Nolen’s career in the tree fruit industry began with the Washington State Department of Agriculture working on summer survey crews, while he was in college. Upon his graduation from Washington State University with a bachelors degree in horticulture in 1953, he was hired as a fieldman with HR Spinner Company (HR Spinner Company was purchased by Wilbur Ellis Company during Mr. Nolen’s employment). At the time of his death, Mr. Nolen was employed as the director of the ag-chemical fertilizer department for Wilbur Ellis Company and chairman of Wilbur Ellis’ fertilizer committee for the nation.
Mr. Nolen served his country in the US Coast Guard from 1944-1946 (Petty Officer), and in the US Navy Reserve from 1946 to 1951. He graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate Air Force – ROTC, and was a Commissioned Second Lieutenant. From 1951-1975 he served in the Air Force Reserve retiring with the rank of Major.
Mr. Nolen was serving as president of the Washington State Horticultural Association at the time of his death. In addition to his service on the Washington State Horticultural Association board of directors, he was also a member of the North Central Washington Fieldmen’s Association, Wenatchee Horticultural Society, Wenatchee Junior College Vo-Ag Advisory Board, Western Agricultural Chemical Association, Washington State Pesticide Consultants Association and Washington State Department of Agriculture Governor’s Advisory Board. Mr. Nolen served as an officer of many of these organizations.
Mr. Nolen welcomed the tremendous changes that swept the agriculture industry. He was a vocal opponent of government regulations, yet a staunch supporter of farm safety and environmental protection. As an orchardist himself, he described the farmer as “the biggest gambler in the world.”
Mr. Nolen was survived by his wife Nita of East Wenatchee and five children, Gerald Henry, Autumn Marie, Georgie Ann, Warren Nicholas and Peter Shawn.
The Gerald Nolen Memorial scholarship fund was created by the Washington State Horticultural Association Research & Scholarship Foundation in 1994.
Gearl “Gerri” Dene Whiteaker
October 27, 1930– January 22, 2017
Gearl “Gerri” Dene Whiteaker was born October 27, 1930, in Ozark County, AR,
to Ernest and Agnes (Sherrill) Smart. Her family traveled to the Wenatchee Valley during her early years for seasonal employment in the agricultural industry.
Few can say they began their careers at age 11, but Gerri could. At the age of 11, she began working with her family for Leo Antles, who owned Antles Pollen Supplies. She worked each spring picking fruit blossoms to be processed for pollenating orchards. In the late 1960’s, the company sold to four employees; at which time she became a co-owner of Antles.
Though she sold her portion of the business in 2009 she continued to work with the Antles customers and field crews through the spring of 2016, 75 years after her employment began. Through all those years, and by many that knew her, she became known as the “Bee Lady”. She loved doing her job. She was featured in the Good Fruit Grower magazine many years ago explaining the process of blossom thinning/picking.
Her contributions to Antles Pollen and its customers were vast. In addition to hiring and supervising field crews, she procured pollen sources, served front line in customer relations, supervised product processing and was involved in product sales. She was highly respected for her comprehensive knowledge of the pollen industry.
Gerri’s tree fruit industry involvement extended to packing and sorting various types of fruits in numerous fruit packing sheds in the Wenatchee valley. Most of her years were at Washington Fruit Growers and Blue Bird. She made many life-long friends in the packing sheds and in the agricultural industry.
Gerri met her husband Dale Howard Whiteaker in Arkansas and they were married on November 27, 1948. Gerri and Dale had four children. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed family gatherings, barbeques, shopping trips, and vacations.
Gerri had a heart so big she would do anything for anyone. She had a wonderful spirit and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew or met her.
Gerri was survived by her husband of 68 years, Dale Whiteaker, her four children: Kathy (Scott) Henry and Greg Whiteaker, Nancy (Dan) Baker and Bruce Whiteaker and three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Antles Pollen Supply, Inc. created this scholarship to honor Gerri’s memory. The scholarship awards college bound students annually with a work ethic and passion that reflects that of the woman this scholarship honors.
Grady Auvil: 1905 – 1998
Lillie Auvil: 1909 – 2005
Grady Auvil was born December 7, 1905 in Yeager, West Virginia, to Llewellyn and Ida (Ashworth) Auvil. The family relocated to Entiat when he was two and remained in the community throughout Mr. Auvil’s school aged years. Mr. Auvil graduated from high school in 1922 and continued his education at Washington State University.
Lillie Brandt was born July 6, 1909 in Mesa, Washington, to Louis and Anna Brandt. Her family moved to Withrow, Washington, not long after her birth where her father had purchased a wheat ranch. Her mother died when she was two and Lillie moved to Illinois to be with her Germanspeaking paternal grandparents. English did not become her primary language until she was school age. She remained in Illinois through her youth where she participated wholly with her extended family and became active in the Lutheran Church.
Following her graduation from high school, Lillie returned to her family in Washington and began college at Eastern State College (Eastern Washington University). She graduated in 1930 with a degree in education. She taught at Dyer Hill (Douglas County) and later in Withrow. She dedicated her salary to helping her younger sister complete her own education at Eastern State College.
In 1928, when Mr. Auvil was 22, he moved to Orondo and founded the Auvil Fruit Company. Four years later he met and married Lillie Brandt and together they made their home near the company offices in Auvil. Mrs. Auvil was instrumental to the Auvil Fruit Company throughout their marriage, even cashing in her teaching vouchers valued at $2000 to help the company get started.
Mr. Auvil was considered a visionary in the tree fruit industry. He introduced many new fruits and innovations beneficial to growers. Mr. Auvil brought to the Northwest the Red Haven Peach (1941), Red Gold Nectarine (1960), Granny Smith apple (1972), and successfully marketed commercial Rainier cherries (1975). In 1948 he introduced the use of grass to cover orchards; in 1952 he identified poplar trees for windbreaks; underground sprinklers for frost control followed in 1967; in 1972 he pioneered use of M26 rootstocks; and in 1981 double-row planting for Granny Smiths. He was also instrumental in establishing the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission in 1968.
Mr. Auvil was awarded Grower of the Year in 1954, 1960, 1981 and 1990; he was named Cherry King in 1986 by the Washington State Fruit Commission; and the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival named him their inaugural Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1981. In 1998 Governor Locke recognized Mr. Auvil’s outstanding achievements when he presented him with the Washington State Legislature’s Washington State Medal of Merit.
Mr. Auvil served as president of the Washington State Horticultural Association (1953). He was a fifteen-year member of the Orondo Public Schools Board and a twenty-year member of the Douglas County Schools Reorganizational Committee. He was elected to the Douglas County PUD Commission for six years and was a long-time member of the grant committee of the WSU Tree Fruit Research Commission. He was a 50-year member of the Orondo Grange.
Mrs. Auvil’s established her priority to raise the couple’s three children and care for the home, though her input and encouragement was frequently sought on matters pertaining to the business. Additionally, she was a 66-year member of the Orondo Grange and Auxiliary and a long-time member of the Wenatchee Garden Club and Ladies’ Club.
The couple was survived by their three children, Deanna (Bert) Navone, Allen (Patti) Auvil and John (Pam) Auvil, and many grand- and great-grand children.
Proceeds from the Grady and Lillie Auvil Memorial fund support education at Washington State University (WSU), development at the WSU Tree Fruit Research Station, and horticultural scholarship at Wenatchee Valley Community College.
Glady Bellamy
1952-2010
Glady was born in Goldendale, WA in 1952 and was raised in Central California. He passed away unexpectedly October 1, 2010.
After earning a business degree, Glady moved back to Washington State in 1974 as a sales associate for Tennaco West. In 1980, Glady became the sales manager for Beebe Orchards and operated in this capacity for 9 years.
In 1989, Glady started Columbia Marketing International (CMI) with partners Nick Buak, McDougall and Sons, Inc. and Columbia Fruit Packers. As President, Glady helped guide CMI from 1.8 million cartons annually to one of the largest shippers/growers of apples, pears and cherries in Washington State. As an active member of the Northwest tree fruit community for nearly four decades, Glady’s contributions have helped shape the progression of the industry through times of dramatic change.
Glady married Chris Irwin on September 24, 2005. He had two sons, Tom Bellamy and Robert Goodwin; a step son, Eric Schmidt; and step daughter, Stephany Schmidt.
In addition to involvement in the tree fruit industry, Glady was an involved community member. He served as a council member for the City of Chelan, was active in the Republican Party and helped organize local sports events, among many other contributions.
In the mid-1990s, CMI, along with Columbia Fruit Packers and McDougall & Sons, started the CCM Scholarship Fund through the Washington Apple Education Foundation. Annually students whose parents work for the marketing firm or packing plants are awarded scholarships that contribute an equivalent of 85% of the cost of tuition, books, room and board at Washington state public school for up to four years.
With Glady’s known belief in education through his personal involvement in the CCM Scholarship Fund, his family elected to start a scholarship fund in his memory to help great kids succeed. Friends from around the world have contributed to the
Nick Buak offered this comment on behalf of the entire CMI family, “Glady was a fantastic individual who cared deeply for his family, colleagues and business associates, cherishing his relationships and holding them close. Glady believed in the future of our industry and leaves a legacy that will last for many generations to come. He will be dearly missed by all.”
Harold Grim
1920 – 2005
Harold E. Grim was born to Damon and Viola (Ferkel) Grim on April 5, 1920, at Lees Creek, Ohio. The family made its home in Wilmington, Ohio, where Mr. Grim developed his skill and passion for agriculture while working on the family farm.
After graduating from high school in Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Grim was pulled to the great farmland of the Entiat Valley and began farming for his Uncle Harry Grim. During the fall he was employed by Standard Fruit Company.
In July 1944 he married the woman that became the 60-year love of his life, Naomi (Aimee) Kuest. The couple lived in Entiat for the next 56 years, raising their two sons in the family home.
Mr. Grim purchased his first apple orchard in Entiat in 1950. It was followed by the purchase of two more orchards in the Entiat Valley and production of apples and pears until his retirement and the passing on of orchard management to his son, Bruce; though his attentive eye and advice continued to be enthusiastically welcomed on the orchard.
Mr. Grim was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed boating trips with family and friends. After retirement, the couple’s travel trailer took them all over Washington discovering sites when they were not enjoying warmer weather while wintering in Arizona.
Mr. Grim was an active in the Entiat community with membership in the Entiat Federated Church, Entiat Grange, Entiat Chamber of Commerce, Entiat Warehouse Board of Directors, and Skookum, Inc. Board of Directors. Additionally, he was elected to the Entiat School Board and served for a time as chairman of the board. While chairman of the board, he proudly presented both of his sons with their high school diplomas. He was honored with the Chelan County Soil Conservationist of the Year in 1961.
He was survived by him wife, Aimee; sons, Douglas (Tina) and Bruce (Candy); and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Family and friends of Mr. Grim created the scholarship in his memory to honor his strong legacy in the tree fruit industry and to assist young men and women and from the community he was so proud of.
Helen Zahn
1928-2020
Helen Ann Zahn, age 91, died on September 28, 2020, at her home in Methow, WA. She was born on October 5, 1928, in East Omak, WA. Her parents, Ole and Caroline Skylstad, were both immigrants from Norway.
During the Depression years, the Skystad’s grew or traded for most of their food, and they planted some apple trees to start an orchard. Helen learned the skills of managing a kitchen from her mother. She went to high school in Pateros, and in 1946, the same year she graduated, she was chosen “Miss Methow” to ride on a float in the Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival.
Soon after Helen began taking classes at Wenatchee Valley College, she started dating Douglas Zahn, a young man who had served in the U.S. Army, in the Pacific Theater, during World War II, and was preparing to start college at Washington State College in Pullman, WA. They were engaged in early 1947, and Helen transferred to Washington State College, to work on a home economics degree and to be near Doug. They were married on December 28, 1947.
After Doug got his master’s degree in agriculture, the Zahn’s moved back to the Methow, buying a house just south of the town of Methow.
In addition to taking care of the household, Helen opened a fruit stand next to their house. This successful venture persevered for over two decades.
Helen was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing meals for family, friends, potlucks, fundraisers, and to help neighbors in need, or anyone who dropped by around mealtime. She raised a large vegetable garden. Most summers, she preserved hundreds of containers of fruits and frozen vegetables.
She was born in the Roaring Twenties, lived through the Great Depression of the 1930’s, knew the frugal years of World War II, witnessed the great flood of 1948, and watched uncountable forest fires from her home by the Methow River.
Helen was quick with a joke, strong in her convictions, hardworking, capable of meeting daily challenges, generous and loving, and she was loved. She was proficient with a sewing machine, mixing bowl, garden hoe, and oven.
Helen had four children, Karen, Eric, Dale, and Shirley, and a foster son, Don.
The scholarship in memory of Helen and her husband, Doug, provides opportunities to students from Okanogan County raised in tree fruit industry families.
Horace M. Gilbert: 1862 – 1934
Marion Richey Gilbert: 1862 – 1951
Born in 1862 in Geneseo, Illinois, H.M. Gilbert was raised in a family dedicated to the occupation of farming. Likewise, Marion Richey, a native of Lasalle County, Illinois, was also of prominent farming background.
The two met while attending Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, in the class of 1885. Mr. Gilbert obtained Liberal Arts and Veterinary Science degrees and just three years later was bestowed a Master of Arts degree from his alma mater. When his school days ended, Mr. Gilbert took up the agricultural life. He owned a corn and hog ranch and quickly became a well-known stock farmer in Illinois.
H.M. and Marion were married in 1892. After five years of marriage and three children, they moved west to the developing fertile soils of the Yakima Valley. They came by train and brought livestock to help establish a farm. The family chose to build their home near north Yakima to be closer to cultural interests. Mrs. Gilbert managed the family’s 20 acre orchard while Mr. Gilbert developed land in the lower valley.
The Richey and Gilbert Company formed in 1897 as a partnership between Mr. Gilbert and his father-in-law. It had large investments in commercial fruit production and an extensive interest in production real estate. The Richey and Gilbert Company is credited for its help in establishing important infrastructure in the Yakima area.
Mr. Gilbert was a founding member and president of the Tieton Water Users Association . He was also the fifth president of the Washington State Horticulture Association and a Trustee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1929. Mr. Gilbert was the first president of the Central Bank of Toppenish.
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert were very active in community affairs and traveled extensively throughout the world. In 1913, their travels to the Orient led Mr. Gilbert to be the first to study the Asian export potential of Yakima apples.
Mrs. Gilbert taught high school and was passionately involved in many cultural activities such as theatre and music. She was instrumental in building Yakima’s YWCA. Mrs. Gilbert was a member of DAR, an early president of the Woman’s Club (which later joined with the Century Club), initiated the “Talent Night” lecture series, and was an early advocate of women’s suffrage.
Together, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert were very involved in the Congregational Church. They loved the Northwest for its countless opportunities and contributed greatly to general improvement and prosperity of the community as a whole.
The H.M. and Marion Gilbert Memorial scholarship was established by their family to assist young people with entrepreneurial instincts and drive.
Howard Hauff
1919 – 1998
Helen Hauff
1922 – 2005
Howard Hauff was born in 1919 to John and Elizabeth Hauff in Dickens Township, South Dakota. Helen (Bones) Hauff was born in 1922 to Ethel (Davis) Bones and Fred H. Bones in Parker, South Dakota. They both attended South Dakota State University where Howard graduated in 1942 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Agriculture and Bachelors of Arts degree in Journalism and Helen with a degree in Home Economics.
They married in 1942 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Soon after, Mr. Hauff was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. He received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his exemplary service. Upon discharge, Mr. Hauff worked for the American Herford Journal of Kansas City, Missouri. In 1947, the Hauffs opened an implement company in Minnesota which they owned and operated for 18 years.
Mr.and Mrs. Hauff moved to the Yakima Valley in 1965 and founded the H.F. Hauff Company, a manufacturer of specialized agriculture equipment. Sharing a keen foresight and vision, they ran the global distribution company together.
Mrs. Hauff was the driving force behind manufacturing new equipment at H.F. Hauff Company and providing first-rate customer service. She had a unique knack for recognizing customers by the sound of their voice.
Mr. Hauff’s greatest attribute to the business was pioneering the marketing and introduction of new technology. He is acknowledged for innovating new concepts to the agriculture industry such as diesel tractors, commercial fertilizers, concentrate spraying and ground power wind machines.
Family and education were important to both Mr. and Mrs. Hauff. All four of their children received a college education, one of Mrs. Hauff’s greatest personal achievements. Beyond family and business, Mrs. Hauff had a passion for gardening. She loved to spend time in her garden tending to roses and other flowers.
Mr. Hauff took part in numerous industry and community organizations. He was a member of the Alpha Zeta, an honorary agricultural fraternal organization; Pi Kappa Delta, a national forensics society for debaters and orators; and Sigma Delta Chi, a national professional journalism organization. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Family members and friends of Howard Hauff established a scholarship fund in memory at the time of his death in 1998. The scholarship evolved to include Mrs. Hauff after her passing in 2005. The family has requested that recipients of the scholarship funds be studying for a degree in engineering or business; pursuing a career in the tree fruit industry and been raised in a family involved in the tree fruit industry.
Irmgard Susi Harris
1945-2018
Susi was born November 29, 1945 in Raindorf, Bavaria, near Munich, Germany. She was the third in a family of 11. Growing up in post-war Germany, with a shattered economy and little food, she definitely knew hardship and “doing without”. After being rescued while running away with a local circus, at age 14, she developed a burning desire to come to America and make a better life. This desire pushed her every day to achieve.
At 17, she married a GI and came to America in 1963, with her 3 month-old son Victor and $60 in her pocket. Living in Boston, with an aunt, she worked 2 jobs, learned English, raised her son and received her college degree. She worked for some time for the Strategic Air Command at several military bases, and became extremely proficient in business management.
She eventually moved to California, where she got her first introduction to the shipping industry, moving fresh & frozen eggs, butter and other perishables to Japan, Hawaii & Guam, for Nulaid Foods.
In 1982, Susi moved to Seattle, married Mike Harris and soon answered a newspaper ad for a freight forwarder position with TMX Shipping. She fell in love with the job, the customers, and the rapid pace challenges in transporting fresh, perishable fruit.
This opportunity opened her lifelong transportation career as she moved to work with industry leading companies, such as Seaport Shipping, followed by Geo. S. Bush and eventually with Universal Freight Forwarders, where she became the sole owner and operator, specializing in shipping perishable commodities internationally by ocean and air.
She had great support from customers and colleagues and built a widely respected business. During the glory days of breakbulk shipping, she managed full charter shiploads of fruit, scheduling every incoming truck and watching the stowage of every pallet. Every season, shipping fresh cherries by air became her ultimate challenge. Here, there was no margin for error or delay to get high quality cherries to markets in Europe and Asia.
After selling Universal and a short “retirement”, Harris International Freight Forwarders, Inc. opened in 2008. Soon, Susi was back again shipping perishable goods and produce, a work she enjoyed along with the customers she loved and cared deeply for. She maintained that passion and commitment every day until her passing.
From a very humble beginning, Susi was a female pioneer in a male-dominated industry. She had a great ability to develop solid working relationships on both sides of the business and she always understood that it was the CUSTOMER who was at the heart of every transaction. They had her persistent attention 24/7. She also mentored generations of transportation professionals, many of whom became leaders in the export business.
Susi doted on her beloved little dogs and was never far from them.
The scholarship in her honor is offered by her family to young women and men raised in the tree fruit industry, in the hopes that they too will be able to achieve and live the “American Dream” as Susi did.
Jack Batjer
1907 – 1967
Dr. Jack Batjer came to Wenatchee from West Virginia as a young research scientist for the United States Department of Agriculture. His position was as a principal Plant Physiologist and he enjoyed working outdoors and sharing the outcomes of his various research projects.
He insisted his research work be of the highest quality and his rigid discipline created broad success where others might have failed. But there was more than just discipline in his character, for he brought inspiration to all with whom he worked.
His interest in people was genuine and personal. His extensive industry knowledge coupled with his personable nature made him a much sought after speaker for growers groups, fellow scientists, and the industry as a whole. Associates noted that whenever they had the opportunity to be in Jack’s company they came away knowing more because of their encounter with him.
Dr. Batjer was an officer of the Washington State Horticultural Association, serving on the board of directors of the association at the time of his death.
He was survived by his wife Irene and two sons.
The Dr. Jack Batjer Memorial Fund was created by the Washington State Horticultural Association Research and Scholarship Foundation. Proceeds from this fund sponsor the keynote address at the Washington State Horticultural Association annual meeting.
Jacquelyn Horan McDougall
1924 – 2008
Jacquelyn Horan McDougall was born in Wenatchee in 1924 to John Rankin and Helen (Vandivort) Horan. The family lived in the home built by Wenatchee pioneers Michael and Margaret Horan.
Ms. Horan attended local schools and graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1942. She continued her education at Washington State College (now Washington State University) graduating in 1946 with degrees in foreign language and music. Ms. Horan was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at Washington State and served as business manger to the college’s newspaper, The Evergreen.
Ms. Horan became Mrs. McDougall in 1947 when she married Robert Duncan McDougall in Wenatchee. Three sons were born of the marriage: Douglas, Stuart and Scott. The McDougall family resided in the old Horan home where Jackie and her siblings were raised.
The McDougall family tended the Horan fruit packing facility and orchard property for many years, later building the fruit packing and growing operation of McDougall and Sons, Inc.. It continues its operation led now by her sons Scott and Stuart and her grandson Bryon.
Mrs. McDougall was active in many organizations, with a large percentage of her time spent in support of civic responsibilities. She was a member of the League of Women Voters, and president of Chelan County Republican Women and the Washington State Republic Women. Mrs. McDougall represented the state as delegate to the National Republic Convention when Richard Nixon was selected as the party’s nominee.
Locally, Mrs. McDougall was a member of the YMCA board of directors and area coordinator of its youth and government program. She was appointed to the region’s Selective Service Local Board.
Her professional career included stints on the board of directors at Horan Brothers, Incorporated, and as president and officer manager of Mac’s Pak Fruit Company. Later in life, Mrs. McDougall became a counselor for the local alcohol and drug treatment center where she helped many people turn to a life of sobriety. Her ability to fluently converse in Spanish allowed the center to extend its services to Spanish speaking members of the community.
The children of Mrs. McDougall created the Jacquelyn Horan McDougall Memorial Scholarship in her honor. Recipients of the award are children of McDougall and Sons employees who have achieved top scholastic honors in high school while actively engaging in service to their school and community.
1929-2021
James E. “Jim” Loudon was born in Wenatchee in 1929, to Edgar J. and Mary Loudon. They resided in Manson, WA, on an orchard until 1939, then moved to Wenatchee for a year and a half, then moved to Carlton, WA. He graduated from Twisp High School in 1947, where he participated in all sports, and was student body president.
Following high school, he entered Washington State College, graduating in 1951. He remained at WSC, working for the college and earning a master’s degree in agriculture economics in 1953. His master’s thesis was on “The Economics of Storing Red Delicious Apples in CA Storage”, four years before the onset of commercial CA storage by Marley Orchards of Yakima, WA, and a year later, by Ed Lovitt of Wenatchee.
Jim married Betty Campbell of Clarkston, WA, on December 20, 1953. They had three daughters between 1955-1959.
Soon after their marriage, Jim joined the U.S. Air Force and served in active duty as a supply officer for three years then remained in the Air Force Reserve until he retired as a major in 1975.
Jim went to work as assistant manager of the Washington Growers Clearing House in 1956, and initiated several innovations, including the first annual price summary in 1957. He was hired as assistant sales manager at Skookum Packers in 1959, and in 1965, was employed by Washington Fruit Growers, Inc., as general manager. He retained that position for 22 years, until Washington Fruit Growers merged with Blue Bird Co-op in 1987.
Starting in 1990, Jim took several consulting assignments including some in Poland, Belarus, and Russia. The Russian assignment was especially interesting, in that it was in the same city, Saratov, near where his mother was born. Jim owned orchards in the Wenatchee area from 1961-2006.
Jim served 17 years on the board of directors of Northwest Wholesale, including two years as president. He was a former member and president of the East Wenatchee Rotary Club and a member of the Wenatchee Rotary Club, with a perfect attendance at both clubs, a total of 38 years. He was a member of the Retired Officers Association, Wenatchee Fly Fishing Club, and the WSU Alumni Association.
Jim’s hobbies included fishing, traveling, photography, hunting, boating, playing cards, and watching sports on TV. For the past year, Jim enjoyed writing about the early fruit industry. After his wife Betty died, he met and married Mavis Danielson in 2011.
Jerry Haak
1962-2013
Industry leader and passionate orchardist Jerry Haak was born in Delavan, Wisconsin on July 28, 1962 to Henry and Karen Haak. He was raised in Outlook with brothers Hank, Rick, Dan and sisters Judi and Lisa. Mr. Haak passed away on Christmas Day 2013.
Jerry attended Sunnyside Christian School, Sunnyside High School, and graduated in 1984 from Dordt College with a bachelor’s degree in agri-business.
On June 15, 1984 he married his sixth grade sweetheart, Rosie Bosma. Jerry and Rosie had three children, Matthew, Ashley, and Alyssa. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. Dinner conversations, sporting events, hunting/fishing expeditions, and family vacations were his favorite activities.
Jerry loved his job as an orchardist. It was his passion. He devoured new information and techniques, mulled them over, but usually had a better idea of his own and figured out how to accomplish it. He valued his employees and always wanted to help them with whatever they needed.
Jerry loved his Lord and lived his life serving Him. He filled his mind with ideas to keep it off his daily physical pain. With this came a heart for those less fortunate than him. Projects he was involved in included Farmer to Farmer Zambia, Partners Worldwide, Transformation Sunnyside, Sunnyside Christian School, and Sunnyside Christian Reformed Church.
Mr. Haak was a passionate orchardist known for his innovative approach to farming and willingness to share new techniques and discoveries. He was always willing to share his current research and discovery with others in the industry and frequently provided input through the Washington Apple Commission, Washington State Horticultural Association, the Barnabas Foundation, and the Roza Irrigation board.
Friends, family and business associates of Mr. Haak created a scholarship in his honor to encourage others to follow Jerry’s impressive and impactful career in the tree fruit industry.
Jim Matson
1927 – 1993
Jim Matson was born to Roy and Hazel Matson in Selah, Washington, where he continued to make his home until the time of his death. He attended school in the Selah public schools and later at Whitman College. During World War II, Mr. Matson served with the US Navy.
Mr. Matson was an honored member of the tree fruit industry, serving various roles in industry organizations including the Washington Apple Commission, where he served as chairman in 1987-88. He was part owner in his family’s fruit business, Matson Fruit Company, and operated the family’s orchards.
In 1969 he began his political career as Representative of the 14th District in the Washington State Senate. He served in this post until 1980 when he chose not to seek re-election. In 1988, he ran again and was re-elected Washington State Senator. While serving in Olympia, Mr. Matson was praised by both Republicans and Democrats as a master of bipartisanship and for his negotiation skills. He retired in 1992 due to his health.
Throughout the fruit growing regions of Washington State, Mr. Matson was well known for his love of life, family, and the game of golf. He enjoyed working in his orchard, socializing with the boys over breakfast, a good bottle of wine with his meal, and having his loved ones near him.
Mr. Matson was survived by his wife Patricia Matson of Selah; three sons, Roy Matson, Ross Matson and Les Matson; his brother Richard; a granddaughter, Shelley Matson, a grandson, Taylor Matson; and six stepchildren, Tim McClary, Mary McClary, Kelly McKinney, Gail McClary, Robin McClary and Diane McClary.
At the time of Mr. Matson’s death, friends and family established the Jim Matson Memorial Fund to assist farmworkers and their families pursue educational opportunities.
Jim Wade
1926 – 2020
James “Jim” M. Wade was a leader in Washington’s tree fruit industry and community throughout his lifetime. His legacy continues through his family who now operate Columbia Fruit Packers, an apple and cherry growing and packing operation in its fourth generation of Wade family leadership.
Jim was born in Okanogan, WA and spent the majority of his youth in Wenatchee. He graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1944. In his senior year of high school, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.
He attended Washington State College, University of Washington, and Wenatchee Valley College. After college, Jim returned to Wenatchee to work in the fruit industry and soon after joined his father at Columbia Fruit Packers as sales manager in 1950. In 1989, Jim was also the driving force behind the formation of CMI Orchards, Inc.
Jim married Camille Jones in 1949. Jim and Camille shared a passion for travel and together they explored the world, visiting every continent except Antarctica. Jim was a bird hunter, fisherman, sailor, pilot, and he loved spending time at Lake Chelan. They had four children. His wife preceded him in death in 2011 after 62 years of marriage.
Jim worked quietly but effectively in the community. He was a founding director and stockholder in Wenatchee Mountain, Inc., which developed the Mission Ridge ski area in 1966. He was a long-time supporter of the Salvation Army, YMCA, the Boy Scouts, Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, and the Numerica Performing Arts Center. He helped raise money for the Boy Scouts to purchase Scout-A-Vista. Jim and his family set up the Wade Dialysis Fund, renamed the Wade Family Literacy Fund, which provides a book for each child who is born or is a patient of Central Washington Hospital. He also provided the initial funding to build the children’s library in Wenatchee, the “Camille Jones Wade Children’s Library.”
Jim believed in service and served on the boards of numerous industry organizations. He was a founding member of the Washington Apple Education Foundation, and served on the boards of the U.S. Apple Association, Washington State Fruit Commission, Washington Apple Commission and Northwest Horticultural Council, among others. In his service to WAEF, he was chairman of the annual golf tournaments for many years raising funds for foundation operations and scholarship support.
In 1995 he was named Apple Citizen of the Year and in 2016 received the Spirit of A.Z. Wells award.
At the time of his death, he was survived by three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
His family created this scholarship to make a difference in the lives of determined young people with ties to Columbia Fruit Packers.
Joe Bulleri
1920 – 2006
Joe Bulleri was one of the original orchardists in Quincy. Born in 1920 in Ellensburg, Washington, he spent his formative years in Fife. Mr. Bulleri was called to serve his country during World War II and was stationed in Japan. After the war he returned to Washington State University, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Agriculture.
Mr. Bulleri’s love and passion for agriculture led him to the ideal farming landscape of Quincy. He and friend Les Guis soon went into business together and co-owned Quincy Truck and Implements and later Cascade View Orchards. Mr. Bulleri devoted the majority of his time managing the farming branch of the business. He later purchased a 74-acre orchard and named it after his only son, Peter. Mr. Bulleri along with George and Tom Pheasant, Jack and Dick Toevs, Glen Forney and Ray Emtman established one of the first controlled atmosphere buildings in Quincy, allowing apple growers to store their fruit for extended periods of time.
Mr. Bulleri was active in the community and compassionate about helping others. He was known for his quiet and thoughtful demeanor, always willing to extend a helping hand to fellow farmers and community endeavors. He was past President of the Quincy Rotary Club and involved in other organizations.
Mr. Bulleri was married to his wife Roberta for 53 years and they had one son, Peter.
In 2004, Mr. and Mrs. Bulleri established a private foundation to provide funding for education and research benefiting the tree fruit industry. To recognize his many contributions to the industry, family and community, a permanent scholarship assisting Quincy High School students was created in his name after his death. The scholarship is open to current and former graduates of Quincy High School pursuing a degree compatible with service to the tree fruit industry at an accredited two or four year college or university.
John Daniel “Danny” Gebbers
1930-2014
John Daniel “Danny” Gebbers was the son of Dan Gamble and the son of John Gebbers and Martha Gamble Gebbers. He was born in Omak in 1930.
Danny Gebbers grew up with his family’s business operations working in the sawmill, orchards, apple warehouse and cattle ranch during the Great Depression. He learned from his parents and others developing an interest and appreciation for the land and its bounty. Danny developed a skill allowing him to identify advantageous ways of planting and planning to maximize land potential.
As a young man he attended Brewster schools graduating in 1948. It was during those years he developed his skill in roping and earned the title of Champion in the Brewster Derby Days Rodeo in 1951.
To please his mother, Danny attended Eastern Washington State College. He left after one year electing to immediately put to use his imagination and knack for identifying opportunities.
Danny became business partners with long-time friend Ed Pariseau. Together they embraced use of technology and became early users of controlled atmosphere storage and brought one of the first pre-sizers to the area. Danny established a Granny Smith orchards in 1968, one of the very first in the US and followed with it late-developing Lapin cherries prolonging the cherry market.
Danny’s mother, Martha, was one of the original users of the Bracero guest worker program during World War II. Employees working for the company at the time became personal friends over the years. Danny realized the hardworking men and women employed in the company were integral to the business operation and created partnerships and other opportunities for many.
Danny married fellow Brewster High School graduate Reba Riggan in 1950. They had six children, five who grew into adulthood, Jody, Mac, Sonya, Cass and Danna. At the time of his death, four of their children were living in Brewster along with 14 of their 20 grandchildren. It was one of his primary goals to develop a business operation large enough for his family to work with him and each have roles.
The scholarship in memory of Mr. Gebbers was established his family and friends to assist students that share Danny’s skills, attitudes and aptitudes.
Jonathan Crane
1950-1982
Jonathan Lee Crane was born March 15, 1950. He was an Eagle Scout and an athlete, excelling at basketball and football. He graduated from Brewster High School June 3, 1964. He attended the University of Washington. Jonathan loved playing and composing Ragtime music on the piano. He was a wonderful son, brother and Uncle. His Great Dane Missy was the love of his short life. Jon died April 22, 1982 after a long battle with cancer.
The scholarship in his memory provides opportunities for graduating seniors of Brewster High School to attend college.
K.J. Hendershott
1894 – 1968
Karl J. Hendershott was born July 20, 1894 and raised in Barry County, Michigan. Following his graduation from Lansing High School, Mr. Hendershott served his country in the Marine Corps during World War I. He attended and graduated from Michigan State University in 1920. That same year he moved to Okanogan and in 1921 moved to Chelan. On June 24, 1924, he married Elizabeth Chamberlain in Seattle.
Mr. Hendershott was selected by the eight founding members of Lake Chelan Fruit Growers in 1921 to lead the burgeoning cooperative as its manager. The foundation established by Mr. Hendershott and the original members of Lake Chelan Fruit Growers led to the eventual formation of the largest fresh fruit apple packing cooperative in the world (currently knows as Chelan Fruit Cooperative). In the early 1920s, Mr. Hendershott steered the move from Lake Chelan Fruit Growers’ original facilities to the Cooperative’s current location in preparation for the reconfiguration of Lake Chelan and the building of the Lake Chelan Hydro-Electric Dam.
“Mr. Trout”, as he was endearingly termed by industry friends (the cooperative’s apple box label featured the depiction of a fresh trout), served as the association’s manager from its inception in 1921 until his retirement in 1966. Mr. Raymond O’Neal, one of the growers involved in creating the scholarship honoring Mr. Hendershott speaks fondly of his association with him, “Mel Crowder, Paul Peters, Leo Crowder and I established the scholarship in memory of our friend, Karl. He helped the growers by running a good organization and consistently returned a profit. We wanted him to be remembered.”
In addition to his professional service, Mr. Hendershott was active in many community affairs, including leadership roles as president of the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of Chelan and a member of many other fraternal and civic organizations. Mr. Hendershott was elected mayor of Chelan in 1929 and served through 1932.
In 1946, prior to the construction of the Lake Chelan Community Hospital, Mr. Hendershott was named president of the Lake Chelan Hospital Association, chairman of its board of directors and was instrumental in establishing the institution. He served as a director for 20 years. It was noted that although the photograph cannot be found, it was probably he who ceremoniously dug the first shovel of dirt starting construction of the current Lake Chelan Community Hospital.
Contributions made by Mr. Hendershott to the citizens of Chelan, growers and development of the apple industry in the Lake Chelan Valley were not unnoticed. To honor him, the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce named him Citizen of the Year in 1967.
Karl Hendershott was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their two sons, Robert and Karl, Jr.
The scholarship in his honor assists young people from Washington state pursuing a career in production tree fruit agriculture.
Lester “Les” Moser
1952-2010
Lester “Les” Moser lost his battle with Creutzfeldt Jakobs Disease on June 19, 2010. He was born in Batesville, AR on August 21, 1952. Les attended elementary school in Batesville until age eight. His family relocated at that time and he attended school in their new home of Dryden through his high school graduation in 1970.
Les served his country in the United States Army from 1972 to 1974, including a tour of duty in Korea. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Army in 1974 with the rank of Specialist.
On May 31, 1975, Les married Betty Lay in Leavenworth. The couple celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary not long before his death. Mr. & Mrs. Moser had two sons, Michael and Thomas.
Les began work in the tree fruit industry soon after returning to Dryden from military service. His career began with Remley Orchards and Independent Warehouse. He later worked for Cashmere Fruit Exchange and then Blue Bird, Inc.. At the time of death, Les was the Organic Plant Manager for Blue Bird, Inc. fruit cooperative at the company’s Wenatchee location.
Les was involved in his community and was a member of several groups including the Leavenworth Golf Club, Dryden Gun Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He was a volunteer firefighter in Dryden for 30 years. Additionally, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.
The Les Moser Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by Blue Bird, Inc. and the Wenatchee Wild to honor the positive impact Les had with his co-workers and in his community.
Louis Van Doren Sr.
1907 – 1974
Louis Van Doren Sr. was born in 1907 near Mansfield, WA where he spent his early years. The family of ten children moved to Wenatchee in 1921. During the summers he worked in the fruit packinghouses. In high school he was a key member of the football and baseball teams.
After graduating from Wenatchee High School in 1927, he moved to Portland and attended Oregon Institute of Technology. An educational inheritance allowed him to attend California Institute of Technology in Los Angeles. He graduated from Cal Tech with a degree in electrical engineering. This was in the middle of the depression and jobs were difficult to find. He returned to Wenatchee and went to work as a mechanic at Skookum Packers which was located at Ninth and Wenatchee Ave.
In 1946, Louis Van Doren Sr. and his wife Bonnie decided to start their own business. He had an exceptional talent for inventing and designing machines for use in the packinghouses. He also had the ability to select quality people to help build the business. His team’s first equipment mechanized the handling of wooden boxes in the packinghouse. Within ten years his business was supplying packinghouse equipment throughout the Pacific Northwest. Today Van Doren Sales is the industry leader in cherry, pear and apple industry fruit packing systems. Mr. Van Doren would be very proud to know his family’s third generation is continuing his business.
The motto “Quality Pays” was one of his favorite sayings and beliefs. He applied this philosophy to his life, family, business relationships and the products and service he provided.
Louis Van Doren Sr.’s children continue with his dream. They are happy to provide this scholarship for a student pursuing an engineering degree related to the Pacific Northwest Fruit industry in his honor.
Orville M. Peebles
1915 – 2005
Bertha Peebles
1919 – 2007
Orville M. Peebles was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the son of Hal and Stella (Troupe) Peebles. While a young man, his family moved to Council Grove, Kansas, where Mr. Peebles attended school. Bertha Peebles was born in Council Grove to Reaper and Georgia (Coates) Williams. It was while in school at Council Grove that the two met and later married. Mr. and Mrs. Peebles moved to Pasco, Washington and later to Pateros. In 1945, the family settled in the Lake Chelan Valley.
Mr. Peebles was a veteran of World War II, a proud member of the United States Marine Corps. During the war he served in numerous missions as part of the 2nd Marine Regiment and the 22nd Battalion operating in the South Pacific Islands. Following his discharge and move to the Lake Chelan area, Mr. Peebles was employed in heavy construction working on Chief Joseph Dam, Wells Dam, Rock Reach Dam and Rock Island Dam. Mr. Peebles’ entry into the apple industry came with his purchase of an orchard in 1948. His activity in the industry, which included service as a board member of Blue Chelan and later Trout fruit cooperatives, continued until his death. Mr. Peebles was an active member of the Chelan and Manson communities serving as a leader of 4H, FFA, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts and a member of VFW Post 6853, Chelan Valley Lodge #118 and F. and A.M. He was honored for that service when he was selected as Citizen of the Year in Chelan.
Mrs. Peebles was active with her husband in the community and in their orchard business. In the 1970s, she was employed with the Migrant Day Care Center in Manson providing a safe environment and nutritious meals for the young children of migrant orchard workers. In fact, she was known for her love of feeding people and regularly gathered friends and family to share dishes of homemade traditional comfort foods. Mrs. Peebles was a long-time member of the Silver Star Chapter 93, O.E.S and a Past Worthy Matron. She was a member of the Chelan Senior Center and the VFW Post 6853 Auxiliary. Mrs. Peebles supported her family’s efforts and was involved herself in 4H, FFA and Cub Scouts.
Mr. and Mrs. Peebles had two sons: Marrian (Diane) and Herold (Vicki). The two boys followed their parents into the tree fruit industry and were partners in family orchard operations.
In memory of their parents, the Peebles’ family established a scholarship fund to assist young people raised in their long-time home communities of Chelan and Manson.
Paul and Vera Jean Mortimer were Tieton fruit growers for more than 50 years.
Paul was born in 1919, the youngest of six. Growing up in the 1930s meant that life was not lavish, but the farm ensured that there was plenty to eat. The family subscribed to periodicals and news magazines, which helped Paul develop a lifelong interest in history and current affairs.
WWII broke out while he was at Linfield College and Paul served three years as a lead bombardier in the Army Air Corps, completing 68 combat missions and earning the Army Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross. He had great affection and respect for the men with whom he served.
Paul would have made a wonderful journalist, judge, or historian. But he chose to farm because he loved working outdoors and because farming allowed him to be his own boss. He managed packing crews for Cubberly Fruit for nearly 20 years. Later he served as a longtime board member for Cowiche Growers.
Vera Jean was born in 1926. An only child, for years her parents worked as migrant farm workers and Jean travelled the west coast in the back seat of their car with her colored pencils, paper dolls, and little dog, Trixie. As they bounced from town to town, Jean would enroll herself in one school after another, sometimes for just one day. Life improved considerably when her father became a fruit broker, bought orchards and built a warehouse, a legacy that was lost when he died in a plane crash.
After declining an opportunity to attend the University of California, Berkeley, Jean spent nearly 40 years working in fruit packing warehouses, striving to be the top packer and nearly always succeeding. She was energetic, hardworking and competitive. It wasn’t enough for her to win one top prize for apple pie at the state fair; she had to win it four years in a row.
Mainly, Jean was an artist, most alive when gardening or painting. A high school drop-out, she obtained her GED and went on to teach painting classes at Yakima Valley Community College. If you could imagine it, her eyes and hands could make it come to life.
Married for 54 years, Paul and Vera Jean’s notes to each other were signed “Madly”.
The scholarship established in memory of Paul and Vera Jean assists graduates of Highland High School attend college or technical school. Students receiving the scholarship will share values associated with the Mortimer family, such as hard work, thrift, integrity and concern for their community.
Phil Jenkins
1921-1980
Phil Jenkins was born to Fred & Irene Jenkins in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1921. He attended public school in Kansas City and attended the University of Kansas majoring in Horticulture and Entomology, before enlisting in the Navy at the beginning of World War II. He flew the SB-D Dauntless dive bomber in the Pacific and the Aleutians.
Mr. Jenkins met his wife, Zona, in Bremerton, WA. In 1947 they moved to the Yakima Valley. Mr. Jenkins managed 1000 acres of apples, cherries, peaches and pears owned by Richey – Gilbert Company. During this time, Mr. Jenkins discovered the first spur-type golden delicious apple as a mutant sport on a red delicious tree. He was a self-taught expert in all aspects of fruit production. Following a stint in Bridgeport working as a large orchard production manager, he returned to the Yakima Valley in 1962 to work for the Wilbur Ellis Company as a horticulturist and fieldman; where he was employed until his death in a car accident.
Mr. Jenkins was a trusted advisor for many Yakima Valley fruit growers, giving feely of his knowledge and experience. He was an authority and valued resource on choosing the right land for fruit production, varieties, new orchard planting, grafting, pruning, chemical thinning, pest control, weed control, growth regulators and initial propagation of new varieties. Mr. Jenkins taught numerous classes at Yakima Valley Community College, wrote several publications, and provided guest lectures at Washington State University.
He was an active member of many societies and associations, serving at various times as president of the Yakima Pomological Society, the Yakima Horticultural Association and the Yakima Fieldmen’s Association. He was a member, frequent speaker, and chairman of various committees of the Washington State Horticultural Association. He was also an active member and board member of the Yakima Area Arboretum.
Mr. Jenkins valued his many industry friends – his friends were his clients and his clients were his friends. He was a great husband, father and grandfather.
His interest and hobbies were vast. He enjoyed outdoor sportsman activities, travel, volleyball, wine making, collecting Northwest Indian artifacts and socializing. At age 15 he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and later served as a scoutmaster for several troops in Kansas and Washington.
Mr. Jenkins was survived by his wife, Zona, of Yakima; daughter, Susan Wertenberger, of Yakima; son, John Jenkins, of Fresno, California; five grandchildren and five great- grandchildren.
The Phil Jenkins Memorial Scholarship was established by the Yakima Pomological Society and the Washington State Horticultural Association Research and Scholarship Foundation.
Richard “Dick” Clements
1943-2005
Richard ‘Dick’ Clements was born in Seattle, Wash. on September 30, 1943 to Cecil and Helen Clements; he grew up in Manson, Wash. Mr. Clements graduated from Manson High School and went on to college graduating from Washington State University (WSU). It was at WSU that he met and later married Marietta Rowe.
Many of his life long passions and interests took fruition on the shores of Lake Chelan. The lake offered an ideal environment to perfect water-skiing and fishing skills with family and friends. During high school Mr. Clements was very active in sports and student leadership. As an adult, he took pride in keeping kids safe on the playing field as a member of the Washington Officials Association.
In his early years, Mr. Clements was introduced to the fruit industry through working in the family apple orchard. Following college and after proudly serving in the army, he became president and general manager of Rowe Farms, a fruit growing and packing operation near Naches.
Mr. Clements was known for serving his family and community with purpose, conviction and character. Thousands of hours were devoted to community service. He felt very fortunate to be involved with many fruit industry organizations and enjoyed the interaction with fellow committee members. In 2003, Mr. Clements was awarded the Washington State Horticultural Association’s Silver Pear Award given in recognition of continuous counsel and leadership as a member of marketing promotion advisory boards including the Washington State Fruit Commission, Northwest Horticultural Council, Pear Bureau Northwest, Washington State Horticultural Association Grade and Pack Committee and Washington Cherry Marketing Committee.
He was survived by his wife, Marietta; their children, Kristy (Tim) Clark and Mark (Kim) Clements and their families; his mother, Helen Clements; brother, Jim Clements; and sisters, Kaye Forsberg and Susan Bennett.
The Dick Clements Memorial scholarship was created in his honor by friends and family. It is open to students from central Washington raised in the tree fruit industry planning to attend or currently enrolled at Washington State University.
Richard Keller
1941-2000
Richard Keller of Yakima was regarded as a true leader in the tree fruit industry. Born in 1941 in Yakima, he was raised and educated in Cowiche. He attended Highland High School graduating in 1959. Upon graduation, Mr. Keller attended Washington State University obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1964.
Mr. Keller returned to the Yakima Valley where he began his service to the tree fruit industry. At the time of his death, he was the president of Northwestern Fruit & Produce and an owner of Upper Valley Farm Service Center and Keller Fruit.
He served on the board of directors for the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District, the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association and the Washington Apple Education Foundation. He was a commission of the Washington Apple Commission and held many other positions of leadership within the apple industry.
He was survived by his wife Patricia of Cowiche; two children, Julie and James; his mother Eleanor; a brother Raymond; and two sisters, Roberta Caffrey and Rosalinde Saunders.
Robert and Hope Allan
Robert J. Allan was born in 1906 in Naches, Washington. Graduating from Naches High School in 1926, he went on to Washington State University. In 1942, Robert met and later married Hope Whitenack.
Hope Whitenack Allan was born in Selah, Washington in 1910. She graduated from Selah High School and received a degree in education at Bellingham Normal. After marrying Robert Allan she spent the next 60 years living in Naches raising her children and being a devoted wife.
Mr. Allan had tremendous pride in being a farmer. He was a proud part of the second generation of Allan brothers who chose to pursue the tree fruit industry in the early 1930’s. Pleased to be a member of the community, Mr. Allan was active on the Naches school board for 15 years and enthusiastically supported the school and community activities. In 1983 he was chosen Northwest Cherry King and State FFA Farmer of the Year.
Mrs. Allan’s zest for life was infectious to the people around her. She loved to camp, fish and spend time with her husband, family and friends. Hope was active in the Yakima Valley Museum and the Daughters of the Pioneers; she was also the guiding light for a group of campfire girls.
Mr. and Mrs. Allan were survived by their three children, George (Kay) Allan, David (Cheryl) Allan and Ruth Pringle, and many grandchildren.
Many years ago Mr. and Mrs. Allan started giving scholarships to students interested in agriculture, which allowed them to establish wonderful friendships with young people in the Naches Valley. The tradition of assisting students lives on with the Allan Family. A scholarship is awarded yearly in the names of Robert and Hope Allan to a young man or woman from Naches High School pursuing a degree at an accredited two or four year college, university or trade school.
Robert “Bob” McDougall
1924-2012
Robert “Bob” McDougall was a lifelong resident of Chelan County. He was born and raised in Cashmere and graduated from Cashmere High School in 1942. Throughout his lifetime he served a variety of roles to better his country, community, and industry.
Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy immediately following graduation from high school. He was a radio instructor and then served as a radioman onboard the U.S.S. Phantom performing mine sweeping operations in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Bob was discharged in 1946, with the rank of Radioman First Class.
After his time in the U.S. Navy, Bob returned to the Wenatchee Valley, where he met and married Jacquelyn Horan in 1947 and then continued his education at Wenatchee Valley College, graduating in 1949. He earned his BA in English from Washington State University two years later.
Bob began a 60-year career in the fruit industry in 1951. He went to work for Horan Brothers, Inc. in the orchards and warehouse in Sunnyslope, first as a foreman, then as a manager and, in 1954, as a stockholder. In 1960, Bob formed McDougall Orchards, Inc. and in 1977, joined with his sons, Stuart and Scott, to form McDougall and Sons, Inc., where he served as its president until his retirement in 1998. In 1989, Bob was one of the four founding partners of Columbia Marketing International (CMI).
In 1960, Bob was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives, where he served for eight years, with his final term as the Assistant Majority Leader. In 1968, he was elected to the Washington State Senate for a four-year term, holding the position as Minority Whip. Following his 12 years in the state legislature, he was elected as a commissioner to the Chelan County PUD in 1972. During his ten-year tenure as a PUD commissioner, he was on the original three-man board that implemented the Exhibit R Program, which brought a host of new parks and trails along the Columbia River.
Bob was active in the community and in agricultural affairs throughout his life. He served as director of the Sunnyslope School Board. He was a member of the Washington State Fruit Commission and served many years on the Washington-Oregon Pear Canning Association. Bob also served on the boards of the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society and the Lake Chelan City Sewer Board.
Bob was survived by his three sons from his marriage to Jacquelyn, Douglas, Stuart and Scott, his wife Doris Anderson McDougall, and three step-children.
Robert Prince
1920-2009
“People everywhere thank me. I think the thanks should go the other way. Nothing for me can ever compare with the satisfaction I got from freeing those men.” Robert Prince in an April 16, 1945 interview with the Seattle P-I.
Robert Prince was born in 1920 in Seattle, Washington. He attended schools in the Seattle Public School System graduating from Garfied High School and then continued his education at Stanford University where he focused on history and economics. While at Stanford he joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1941.
Robert Prince married Barbara Harrison on January 31, 1942 in Seattle. Just a few months later he was commissioned to New Guinea. Soon after his return from New Guinea he joined the newly-formed, elite 6th Ranger Battalion. In January 1945 the U.S. Military learned of the Japanese Army’s new “Kill-All” policy adopted to extinguish last surviving witnesses, prisoners of war. In response, the 6th Ranger Battalion was charged with rescuing prisoners held at the Japanese POW Camp near Cabanatuan in the Philippines. Lt. Col. Henry A. Mucci, commander of the 6th Ranger Battalion, hand-picked Mr. Prince to plan the raid. Mr. Prince’s plan, assembled quickly with limited reconnaissance, successfully liberated 571 prisoners of war on January 31, 1945. Strategic principles of his plan are still taught at the WSMA West Point.
Mr. Prince, his wife, Lt. Col. Mucci and nine other Rangers and their wives were celebrated as heroes for their actions by President Franklin Roosevelt and in war bond campaigns. In 2005 the successful raid was depicted in the film The Great Raid. Actor James Franco portrayed Mr. Prince.
The Distinguished Service Cross, our nation’s second-highest award for valor, was presented to Mr. Prince for his service to the citizens of the United States. He was also named to the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame. Mr. Prince retired from the U.S. Army in 1946 as a Major.
After his discharge from the Army, Mr. Prince and his wife moved to Wenatchee where they raised their two sons. Mr. Prince was active in the apple industry marketing Washington grown fruit and serving in many leadership positions within the industry. He retired in 1985 as president of Gwin, White and Prince, a Wenatchee-based fruit marketing firm he was instrumental in forming.
Mr. & Mrs. Prince had two sons, Jim and Stephen. Stephen Prince was killed in Vietnam on August 11, 1969.
The current ownership of Gwin, White & Prince initiated this scholarship to honor the many contributions Mr. Prince made to his community, industry and nation. Scholarships awarded in Mr. Prince’s name will help talented students achieve their academic potential and prepare for valuable service to their chosen communities and industries.
Terry Kelso
1953-2014
Terry Kelson was born April 13, 1953, in Yakima, to Don and Marguerite (Bair) Kelson. He was married to the love of his life, Kathy, in 1976 for almost 38 years and had a model marriage that we all want to follow. They had two children, Kasey and Brianne.
Mr. Kelson worked for Inland Fruit Company as a fieldman and grew apples and grapes until 1988 in Wapato. He was working for CPC International Apple Company as a Production Manager until the time of his death. Over the years at CPC, he thoroughly enjoyed working with everyone and cherished his job. Co-workers shared that interactions with Terry left a positive impact.
Terry had a love for God’s beautiful country and loved to be outside making the yard look amazing. He enjoyed hiking, racquetball, swimming with his girls, skiing, fishing, boating, kayaking, gardening, handyman projects, building waterfalls and making juniper wood lamps. He was an artistic craftsman who had a great eye for potential. He was a peacemaker and had a loving, calm, and gentle personality.
The family was blessed by going on many family trips together. The Oregon beach was one of his favorite places along with the cabin on Chinook Pass, which they have had since 1984.
Friends and family of Mr. Kelson established the scholarship in his honor as a loving tribute. Recipients of this award are college-bound men and women that share his work-ethic and dedication to family.
Thomas Kyle Mathison
1926-2008
Thomas Kyle Mathison was born June 23, 1926 to Christopher and Adelaide Sherwood Mathison. He attended public school in Wenatchee and was a member of the high school’s undefeated football team.
Mr. Mathison joined the United States Army in 1944, serving in the Pacific Theater. When World War II ended Mr. Mathsion was stationed in the Tokyo Bar with the rank of 1st Staff Sergeant. He returned home to the family farm on Stemilt Hill. In 1947 Mr. Mathison lost his father and from that day forward assisted his mother and brother with the family farm.
In 1950, France Lorraine Goldy and Tom Mathison were married, a strong union that lasted 58 years until the time of his death. Mr. & Mrs. Mathison raised three children in their family home on Stemilt Hill.
In the late-1950s diminishing grower returns prompted Mr. Mathison to seek improvements in fresh market fruit quality. He started a small packing shed next to his home and eventually began packing fruit for other concerned growers. In 1964, Mr. Mathison formed Stemilt Growers with a mission of ensuring a long-term financial return to the land. With his continued investment in research, development and forward-thinking management, the company achieved a leadership role in organic farming and sustainable business practices. Stemilt Growers became known globally for packing and marketing world-famous tree fruit.
Mr. Mathison was one of the founding members of the Washington State Tree Fruit Research Commission; he held positions on the Washington Apple Commission, Northwest Fruit Exporters and many other industry groups. Mr. Mathison’s dedication, talents and abilities earned him numerous awards during his career, including Cherry King in 1971, the Silver Apple Award in 1991, Apple Man of the Year in 1996, and Good Fruit Grower of the Year in 2002. He met with U.S. Presidents, state governors and many foreign ambassadors, to represent the tree fruit industry and its dynamics.
Mr. Mathison was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wenatchee and enjoyed attending church with his children and extended family. Rather than speak about his faith, he quietly expressed it through his actions.
He was survived by his wife, Lorraine; sons, Robert (Cleta) and Kyle (Jan); daughter, Lavonne (Hans) van Someren Gréve; seven grandchildren, Aaron, Joyce, West, Tate, Susan, Lillian and Stephen; and six great-grandchildren, Adelaide, Gage, Finn, Jax, Rye and Thomas.
Mr. Mathison will be long remembered for his contributions to the community, not only as a major employer, but in his charity to schools, worthy events and those in need. He was instrumental in many innovations that earned Washington tree fruit industry’s world-class reputation.
Friends and family of Mr. Mathison initiated the scholarship fund at the time of his death, believing it a fitting tribute to his strong belief in education and its ability to advance individuals and communities.
Warren R. Morgan
1959-2019
Warren R. Morgan passed away unexpectedly in 2019. He was born April 17, 1959 to Rex and Laurel Morgan in Soap Lake, Washington.
He grew up in Quincy, Washington, graduated from Quincy High School in 1977 and from Washington State University in 1981. He returned to Quincy after graduating from WSU, where he lived until his death.
His life as an entrepreneur began while he was still at WSU, where one of his first ventures was renting mini-fridges to college students.
After graduating from WSU with a degree in horticulture, he returned to Quincy, and shortly thereafter, began working in his parent’s orchard. In 1986 he and his father Rex were instrumental in establishing Double Diamond Fruit, which is an apple, cherry and apricot packing facility, and where he became President after his father retired from the position.
In 1999, he married Heather Simmons, and later, they had two sons, Chase and Connor. When the boys were young they established the Quincy Valley School, which continues today. After his marriage to Heather, Warren expanded the business, to include raising cattle, growing row crops and hay, and operating a cider plant and a small vineyard.
Warren was very energetic and was strategic and analytical in making business decisions. He used that talent in serving on several boards, including those of Tree Top, CMI Orchards, the Quincy Basin Irrigation District, Mission Ridge Ski Team, and Quincy Valley School.
Warren had many hobbies that he was passionate about and enjoyed with family and friends.
He was a mentor to many, sharing his knowledge of his many business interests. He was extremely intelligent and quietly generous. As an organ donor, he continues to give the gift of life to several and hope to many. He was truly a force, a one of a kind. He leaves this world a better place because he lived. Warren impacted so many lives, and he will be missed by all who knew him.
This scholarship was created in Warren’s honor by his friends and peers in the tree fruit industry to pay tribute to his memory and create opportunities for young people that also have a strong drive, compassion and the ability to make a difference.
Wilbur Lee Adams, 1937-2018
Frankie Dean Adams, 1937-2016
Wilbur and Frankie (Hardy) Adams met as high school sweethearts and were married in their hometown of Lockney, Texas in the 1950s. They began their family and career in agriculture while in Texas before God called them to the Pacific Northwest.
In 1966, the couple and their two daughters, Sonja and Phyllis, moved to the Wenatchee Valley and purchased an apple orchard. This began a decades-long family business that involved husband and wife, children and grandchildren in the farming of apples.
Mr. Adams was a born farmer and active participant in Future Farmers of America/FFA and Young Farmers. He earned a Conservationist of the Year award for his early efforts in mulch mowing. Mrs. Adams was just as involved in the business driving truck during harvest and using the orchard to help her grandchildren learn about hard work and fun.
The couple had many hobbies from fishing to jam-making. They enjoyed time with their children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren and shared a love of cheering on local and state sports teams. They supported the activities of their grandchildren attending each of their sporting and musical events.
They also shared a deep faith and commitment to their community. Mrs. Adams was a Children and Youth Ministry Leader for her church and later served in Senior Ministries. Her church outreach included organizing outings and making new members feel comfortable. She was also a volunteer with the Central Washington Hospital Guild where she frequently assisted in the hospital gift shop.
Mr. Adams was known for his infectious smile and sense of humor. He was a devoted Lions Club member and volunteer for the Apple Blossom Pageant. Mr. Adams was also involved in their church as Sunday School teacher and deacon. When he spoke, his words were patient, careful, and wise.
Wilbur and Frankie’s family established this scholarship to assist students from the Wenatchee Valley and honor their parents/grandparents heritage in the tree fruit industry and community.
Bill Luce
1897 – 1994
William “Bill” Luce was one of four children raised by William and Celia Luce on a five-acre apple orchard outside West Boylston, Massachusetts. He came to Washington State in 1920 after graduating from the Massachusetts Agricultural College and found his first job at the Birchmount Orchard of the American Fruit Growers in Wenatchee. He went on to become a horticultural investigator for Chelan County and later worked as a horticultural consultant for the Earl Fruit Company and Puget Sound Power and Light. In 1942 he was appointed tree fruit cooperative extension agent in Yakima, a position he held until his retirement in 1962. He wrote for various publications including the Good Fruit Grower and Better Fruit.
Mr. Luce was a charter member of the Yakima Pomological Club and helped form the Northwest Dwarf Tree Association. After his retirement, he worked as an orchard consultant and columnist for the Good Fruit Grower. From 1952 to 1968 he had a three acre hobby and demonstration orchard in Yakima. In 1972 he published a book entitled Washington State Tree Fruit Industry… A Brief History.
Mr. Luce was awarded the American Pomological Society’s Wilder Medal in 1962, and served as president of the Washington State Horticultural Association in 1964.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife Barbara.
The Bill Luce Memorial scholarship fund was created by the Washington State Horticultural Association Research and Scholarship Foundation in 1990. Scholarships from this fund are awarded to students enrolled in Washington State University’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape, pursuing a career in the tree fruit industry.
William “Bill” Dewitt
1927 – 2006
Born Willmar W. Dewitt in 1927 in Plattsburg, New York, “Bill” Dewitt was a highly regarded leader in the tree fruit industry and a devoted member of the Wenatchee community. Mr. Dewitt attended the University of Idaho and in 1951 was drafted to serve the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Mr. Dewitt had a long and successful career as the Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association’s manager and secretary-treasurer from 1975 to 1992. Prior to working for the Traffic Association, he worked in sales for the Great Northern and Burlington Northern railroads. During his time at the Traffic Association he was responsible for tracking shipments, exports and inventories of all North Central Washington’s tree fruit. Mr. Dewitt made many lasting contributions to the industry and had a reputation for being extremely personable.
After 18 years at the Traffic Association, Mr. Dewitt retired but did not stop giving back to the community. He kept active serving on the boards of various community groups. He was president on the Wenatchee Valley Golf and Country Club board, Community Technology of North Central Washington as well as the Wenatchee Exchange Club. Mr. Dewitt also served on the board of directors of Chelan County Medical, its successor the Greater Wenatchee Community Foundation, Wenatchee Valley College Foundation and the Wenatchee Rotary.
Mr. Dewitt was affiliated with the Grace Lutheran Church and served one year as the president of the congregation. There is no doubt his life of service will be remembered by the community and industry. A colleague kindly described him as, “hardworking, upbeat and very knowledgeable.”
Bill Dewitt was married to his wife Pat for 49 years; they had four children, Carol, Joanne, Doug and Sally.
The Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association and its members started the scholarship in memory of Mr. Dewitt to help students raised in agriculture attend Wenatchee Valley College.