Allen T Adamson

Allen T. "Al" Adamson, 92, of Wenatchee and a former longtime resident of Cashmere, died Monday, October 27, 2008, at Central Washington Hospital. He was born October 6, 1916, in Bend, OR, to William J. and Maude T. (Johnson) Adamson. The family moved to Washington State in 1917, first settling at Crego Hill near Adna and then in Chehalis, where Al was raised and attended school, graduating from W.F. West High School in 1934. He was a statistical analyst for Puget Sound Power and Light in Chehalis during that year. He went on to attend Whitman College, where he earned his bachelors degree in chemistry and French in 1938, and his masters degree in education and psychology in 1940. While at Whitman, he was a library custodian and supervisor, and also excelled in track, where he was a contender for the cancelled 1940 Olympic Games in the marathon and the 10,000-meter run. Al began his career in education in 1940, as a science teacher and principal at the Washington State Training School in Chehalis. He moved to Cashmere in 1943, where he was employed by the Cashmere School District teaching high school science, mathematics and French and was also track coach. On June 26, 1948, he married Marion E. Brown in Seattle and they made their home in Cashmere. They lovingly raised two children, Glenn born in 1952, and Linda born in 1954. He continued teaching mathematics and was also assistant principal at Cashmere High School until retiring in 1978. Al always valued academics and attended many other institutions of higher learning throughout his career in education, including the University of Washington, Central Washington University, Carleton College, Reed College, Randolph-Macon College, Drake University, Western Oregon State College and St. Cloud State College. His desire for learning continued after retirement, as he and Marion attended many elderhostel programs and classes throughout Washington State and the Midwest. Al and Marion continued living in Cashmere until May 2006, when they moved to Columbia Heights Assisted Living Community in Wenatchee. Al was a member of the Monitor Methodist Church and a former member of the Cashmere Methodist Church, a member of the Cashmere Senior Center, where he was past president and board member, and was also a member of The Friends of the Cashmere Library. He was also a member and past master of Cashmere Mission Lodge No. 158, district deputy to the grand master of the state Masonic Lodge from 1978-80, past patron of Cashmere Vale Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and was a member of the Scottish Rite Masons and Cashmere Chapter, Order of Amaranth. He was past director of the Washington State Education Association, past president of the Chelan County Education Association and was a member of the National Education Association, the Mathematics Association of America, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Washington State Secondary School Principals Association, the National Secondary School Principals Association, the Chelan-Douglas Retired Teachers Association, the Washington State Retired Teachers Association and served on the Northwest Regional Accreditating Team for the evaluation and accreditation of secondary schools. He was a member of the Wenatchee Elks and Eagles Lodges and was past president and secretary of the Cashmere Lions Club. He had also been a member of the Cashmere Kiwanis Club, Boy Scouts and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Al served for 11 years on the Cashmere City Council. He was past chairman of the Chelan-Douglas Health Board, past president of the North Central Washington Area Agency on Aging and served for six years on the Chelan County Council on Aging. He was involved in other public service work throughout his life with the March of Dimes, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Tuberculosis Association, Chelan-Douglas County Housing Task Force, Northeastern Washington Health Planning Task Force and the Red Cross. He also assisted with surplus commodities distribution in Cashmere. His other interests included reading, researching mystery writers and their works, surfing the Internet, taking walks with Marion and spending time with his family and friends. Al is survived by his wife, Marion Adamson of Wenatchee; his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and John Barta of Wenatchee; his son, Glenn Adamson of Burlingame, KS; two brothers, James Adamson of Plain and Richard Adamson of University Place; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother in 1972, his father in 1979 and his brother, Robert, in 2004. Al will always been remembered as a loving and devoted husband and father... we love you forever. At his request, there will be no services. Private family inurnment will be held at the Cashmere City Cemetery. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Cashmere Senior Center. Arrangements are by Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.

Allen T Adamson

October 6, 1916 - October 27, 2008