Tad Thomas August Degenhardt

Beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend passed away suddenly Saturday, November 10, 2001 in Shoreline, WA. Tad grew up in the Seattle area where he graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1960 and from the University of Washington in 1964. He was editor of his high school paper and graduated with a degree in education, majoring in journalism. After college he taught high school in Orville, Washington for 2 years before returning to the Seattle area. In 1968 he began a 22-year career as a staff manger at Pacific Northwest Bell and US West. After retiring from US West in 1989 he worked at PacifiCare of Washington as the Telecommunications, Facilities and Office Services manager until his death.

Tad was active in Seafair for over thirty years, where he organized the Milk Carton Derbies, chaired Landside Operations for the hydroplane races and served as Commodore of the Seafair Boat Club. He was also involved in the Diabetes Association, coordinating a Bike-a-thon fundraiser for several years. His hobbies included stamp collecting and model railroading. There was nothing he enjoyed more than cruising with his family and friends to the Caribbean and Alaska.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Degenhardt, a local mountaineer. He is survived by Laura, his wife of 28 years, his son Brent, his mother and stepfather, Adelaide and Don O?Brien, his sister Shirley O?Brien, his brother Patrick O?Brien and his special pal, Corki the puppy. A private graveside service was held at Evergreen-Washelli cemetery on Wednesday, November 14, 2001. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 18, 2001 at The Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave. N.E., Shoreline, Washington. In lieu of flowers the family requests that remembrances be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 557 Roy St., Seattle, WA, 98109.