Wayne Everett Quinton

Wayne Everett Quinton passed from this life on January 22nd, 2015, at the age of 94. He was the only child of Ada Emily Moore and Alfred Quinton. Wayne was raised on an Idaho farm in the midst of the Great Depression where he learned that a creative instinct was required for survival. His motto became, "Never let the lack of knowledge, resources or present ability keep you from doing something that needs to be done." Wayne's mother and father were very patient with his curiosity, which served to encourage his creative mind. His earliest recollections were taking his toys apart and putting them back together. One summer he found a collection of old physics books in the Rigby "city dump" and devoured them. He built his first car from parts he collected from that same dump. Wayne was recruited by the Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle where he began work on Dec. 15, 1941, one week after Pearl Harbor. Wayne's beginning salary was $.69 an hour and he wondered how he would ever spend all that money.In the early days of the University of Washington's Medical School, the planners included a medical instrument shop. Wayne was appointed head of that shop and was challenged to create anything the doctors needed or could not buy, and to service all equipment. He put on a white coat and joined the doctors in the lunch room. He learned early in his career that he could not design equipment unless he knew how and why it would be used. He never tried to cover up his lack of knowledge and was fortunate to be associated with some of the finest minds in medicine then and until the day of his passing. Never once did anyone refuse to teach him. He was an example of the simple advice he often gave, "Keep learning". Wayne felt he could learn from everyone. During that time he graduated from the University of Washington with honors, having taken all the key courses in electrical, mechanical and civil engineering. His creative intellect and ability pioneered 44 medical instruments for the University of Washington Medical School which included the dialysis machine, the treadmill for cardiovascular stress testing, the oxygenator, and catheters. In 1970, he founded Quinton Instrument Company. In 2009, the University of Washington awarded Wayne with the highest honor the University can confer upon a graduate, Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus - the "alumnus worthy of the greatest praise." Wayne and Jeanne were married in June of 1986. Wayne had a passion for boating and in 1987, launched his final boat, the Quantell, an ocean going vessel. A friend observed that Wayne loved working on the Quantell because it was like living inside a machine. Wayne and Jeanne enjoyed many years of exploring, and also entertaining family and friends on the boat. Though he thoroughly enjoyed his time on the Quantell, Wayne often said, "Don't love anything that can't love you back."Wayne promoted the value of exercise, ran 19 marathons, enjoyed a good laugh and had a lively wit. He belonged to numerous professional organizations, and cherished his associations with members of the Brigham Young University Presidents Leadership Council. He and Jeanne attended performances by the Pacific Northwest Ballet and have been Members of the Barre for many years. Wayne joined the Mormon Church after several years of diligent study. Because of his background, decisions had to be logical and tested. He often said he was a "post-graduate course for the missionaries and none of them were going to pass." They did pass and he developed a strong testimony which he shared often and freely. Wayne had a profound belief in God and said many times that when he passed from this life, he had plenty of questions for "the best engineer of all".Wayne is predeceased by a grandson, Oliver Quinton. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Quinton; son, Randall (Barbara), daughter, Sherrie; step-children, Lisa (Matt) Richardson, Dana (Mike) Roberts, Joe (Payslie) Jackson, 18 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.