Theodore Robert Porter

Theodore Robert Porter, age 83, passed away on Saturday, August 16th, 2025. Ted was born December 1st, 1941 in Mount Vernon, Washington to Theodore Franklin Porter (Frank) and Edna Lillian Buchanan. He grew up in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, where among other activities, he worked on Frank’s logging crew, played baseball with and against his cousin Ron Tingley, and developed a knack for mechanical engineering by salvaging several Ford Model A vehicles.

After graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1960, Ted continued his education at the University of Washington where he ultimately graduated with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering and a proud membership in Tau Beta Pi, the nationwide honor society for outstanding engineering students.

After graduating college, Ted joined the Boeing Company as a Structural Engineer and eventually as a Supervisor, working on many programs such as the MX Missile, the B2, the Joint Strike Fighter, and others. Ted’s work on stress and structural failure in carbon fiber composites was cutting edge at the time, and his approach to complex technical problems earned the respect of his professional peers. Perhaps his proudest accomplishment at Boeing was founding the Wednesday Night “Stress Hike” group where he led his colleagues on loosely organized, voluntary hikes around the Cascades, enjoying the scenery and each others’ company.

On April 8, 1967, Ted married Anemarie Gorman, a Sedro-Woolley classmate, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Seattle. Ted and Anemarie spent the next 47 years together, raising a family and deepening their devotion to each other day by day. As a husband and partner, Ted was a steadfast protector and caregiver. As a parent, he planned endless hiking and camping excursions, coached soccer teams, led Boy Scout troop activities, hosted piano recitals for Anemarie’s students, attended dance recitals, helped care for horses, and shared his generous spirit with all who came into contact with him.

Ted is preceded in death by his wife Anemarie, who passed on March 9, 2014. He is survived by a son, Patrick Porter and his wife, Lauren Shakalis of Seattle, a daughter, Katherine Porter of Edmond, Oklahoma, and three granddaughters, Sara and Emily Cleland, and Clara Porter, as well as Geri Heino, with whom he shared a loving partnership for the last ten years of his life.

A celebration of Ted’s life will be held Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 at 4:00 PM at the Ballard Elks Lodge 827 in Seattle.