WDFW Retirees Association News and Updates
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Retirees’ Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping retired employees stay connected with each other and provide a means for employees planning for retirement to learn about our Association. To accomplish this, the Association publishes a quarterly newsletter for paid up members and maintains this website to inform retirees of news items that cannot wait for the newsletter. Membership is open to current employees that are within two years of retirement. Employees planning retirement and new retirees receive one newsletter free and then establish membership to continue receiving Association benefits. The Association conducts its business through an elected Board of Directors that meets quarterly. A summary of the meetings are published in the newsletter. Members are welcome and encouraged to use the link at this website to have news items posted and give us feedback as to how we can improve. We welcome members sending in photos about their family, travels, fun and exciting events. Members are given user name and passwords to access the photo website. Membership is now $20 per year. Only paid up members receive the newsletter and are eligible to vote in conjunction with the 4th quarter newsletter. Thank you for visiting this website.
For the year 2010
03/08: It is with great sadness that I report our friend and colleague Steve Foley tragically passed away unexpectedly Sunday afternoon. Specific information about what happened is still coming in, but he appears to have had a heart attack while exercising at a local gym and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Steve spent his entire 30 year career working with the fish program in region 4. Steve was the heart and soul of the regional office and was an irreplaceable member of our regional team. Steve is survived by his wife Linda and daughter Lindsey. Our heartfelt sympathy goes to his family and to all his co-workers and friends who loved him. Details regarding memorial services will follow.
There will be a card and condolence book available at the Mill Creek office and at the reception desk at the NRB’s Fish Program. You are also welcome to send cards to the family in care of the region 4 office and we will deliver them to the family. E-mails can be sent to Heidi Host who will ensure they are properly delivered as well. WDFW Chaplain Mike Neil will be in the Mill Creek office today and available to staff. Mike can also be reached at 253-381-2112 for those who may wish to speak with him in the coming days. Bob Everitt, Regional Director, R4, 425-775-1311
03/06: After 30 years of protecting the resource as pictured above, Curt Leigh has decided to retire and pursue his other passion – fishing. COST: $25 WHEN: APRIL 16, 2010 @ 5pm WHERE: VFW Hall – 2902 Martin Way, Olympia INCLUDES: Dinner, Soda, Beer, Wine, Cake and Gift *Please RSVP by March 22. Submit cash or check payment by April 2 to Lynette Wickett (Habitat 5th floor). Make checks payable to Travis Nelson. Mailing address: WDFW Habitat Program, Attn: Lynette Wickett 600 Capitol Way N Olympia, WA 98501
02/23: Our association Board of Directors will meet at Hawks Prairie Resturant on Tuesday, March 2nd for lunch. This meeting is open to all. Please send comments by email or phone to any officer or director. Be sure to vote and send it in asap. We will be accepting the vote at this meeting for the newly elected officers and directors.
02/23: Brian Edie officially retires February 28, 2010. Come help us celebrate this momentous occasion on Sunday, March 21, 2010, at the Sheriff’s Posse Hall in Littlerock.
Social hour begins at 4:00 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5:00, followed by the bashing. The cost (which includes food, drinks, and a gift or two) is only $25 per person (13 years and older), $5 (5-12 years), and a just a little of your time to wish him well and have a good time. Hope to see you there! Send your RSVP and contribution to: Colleen Desselle Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Program 600 Capitol Way N Olympia, WA
Contact at colleen.desselle@dfw.wa.gov or 360-902-2844. If writing a check, make it payable to Colleen Desselle. For those of you who would like to wish him well, but cannot attend this event, we will have an in-house farewell for him on February 16 in conference room 635. I will have cards available at the 6th floor customer service counter tomorrow (Feb 10).
PS: I am looking for people who would like to help with the event. Please let me know if you are interested.
02/17: Just received word that Jerry King, Wildlife Biologist, passed away.
Funeral will be this Saturday at 2:00 PM at the Precht-Harrison Funeral Home, 2547 Elmway, Omak, Washington. Tim Ford.
02/02: Final details of memorial service for Sgt (Ret) Shelly Ralston: I talked with the family this afternoon and learned that there will not be a formal funeral service for Sergeant Ralston (Ret.). However, the family is planning on having an informal memorial service starting at 1 PM Saturday February 6th at the Ralston home located at 23669 Road J NE, Wilson Creek, WA, for all co-workers, retired employees and family. Sergeant Ralston, who retired in 1993, had been fighting leukemia for the past couple of years. Chris Anderson