Donald William Rothwell

December 4th 1941 - May 3th 2026

Passed away while in hospice care at home

Don was Born in Seattle in 1941. He grew up in the Green Lake neighborhood where he attended Daniel Bagley Elementary School. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1960. He went on to attend Western Washington University in Bellingham and earned a degree in Industrial Design/ Visual Communications in 1965.

Once he graduated, he was hired to work for Navy research on the East Coast, photo -documenting and designing small high speed craft during the Vietnam era.

Don returned to Seattle in 1969. He briefly worked for an architectural graphics firm before starting his own business in Kirkland, WA. Action Graphics started out specializing in concept and production of large photo murals for commercial interior applications. His work graced the walls of many Seattle area restaurants, corporate lobbies, retail environments and interpretive exhibits throughout the 1970s and 80’s. The firm expanded to include fabrication of trade show exhibits and other 3d specialties.

He met his wife Judith Heim in 1973 when Judith was designing a restaurant interior in Pioneer Square. One of her co-workers recommended Don to create murals from historic photographs. They married in 1974 and built a life near the shores of Lake Washington, where they lived, worked, and raised their daughter, Sara-Jane. Summers were often spent sailing in the San Juan Islands and winters skiing in the Cascades.

Don taught various classes in the Industrial Design department at the Art Institute of Seattle during the 1990s into the early 2000s. After retiring in 2004, he embarked on a series of personal projects, one of which involved carving a Native American style canoe out of a fallen cedar tree. He also volunteered at the Center For Wooden Boats focusing on vintage electric boats.

He produced two community artist fish projects, Salmon for the Kirkland Down Town Association and Orcas for Richmond Beach Community Association. He designed the prototypes and fabricated the forms for artists to embellish in the mediums of their choice. Three of his Salmon also reside on the La Connor waterfront.

Don is survived by his Wife, Judith, their daughter Sara Cruthers, Son in law Scott Cruthers and two grandchildren, Cole Cruthers 22 all living in Portland, Oregon and Hannah Cruthers 27 living in Hermosa Beach, California.

A private memorial celebration is being planned for June 28th. Details TBA