Lee Roy Clyde CHEEK, 72, Puyallup, died September 14, 2006 at home. Services will be held Tuesday, September 19, 11:00AM at Peace Lutheran Church, 214 E. Pioneer, Puyallup. Lee was born in Payette, ID July 10, 1934 to Roy Clyde Cheek and Addalee Jasmer Cheek. He graduated from Lincoln HS in Seattle, attended the University of Washington, and served in the US Army. Lee married Barbara Nelson June 16, 1961. Lee worked for the Washington Game Dept. in Lakewood, Puyallup, and Forks, WA. The family moved to Payette where Lee operated Cheek Dairy Supply with his father until 1975. He was employed as Pilot Plant Manager R&D, Ore-Ida Foods, Ontario, OR until retirement in 1991. Because Lee enjoyed talking with people, he continued to work until 2000 part-time at the Lakewood Fred Meyer Store where he made many friends. Lee’s interests included bowling, golf, poker, and military history. He was active in the lives of his grandchildren, his church, Elks, Scouting, junior bowling, and his poker group. Lee was a kind loving man who enjoyed telling jokes and making people happy. Survivors include his wife Barbara of Puyallup, sons Michael, Paul (Susan), Daniel (Suzanne) and five grandchildren as well as his stepmother Gloria Cheek, Boise ID, and an aunt, Lillian Cheek Schroeder, Tampa, FL. Lee is now in Heaven, having followed his parents and beloved grandson, Dillon. Memorials may be made to Franciscan Hospice or Peace Lutheran Church.
May 7, 2006 - Gary Rumburg:
Gary RUMBURG Died peacefully in his sleep at home, surrounded by his loving family, on May 7. He was 70 years old. He was born July 24, 1935 in Seattle. His family owned a summer cabin on Vashon, where he spent many blissful summers playing on the beach and in his boat. It was at the beach that he met his wife to be, Lorraine Holmes. He always remembered the first time he saw her; slim and blonde and wearing turquoise petal pushers. He knew immediately that she was the girl he would marry. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last summer on an Alaskan cruise with their four children and their spouses. They spent their first two years as husband and wife in Renton, then moved to Vashon where they raised their children in a house built by Lorraine's grandfather in 1917. Gary graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He utilized his degree in the cargo handling crane industry. He worked at Star Iron & Steel in Tacoma where he was a pioneer in the then fledgling container crane industry. After Star Iron & Steel, he went to work for the Port of Seattle as their Chief Engineer. In 1971, Gary left the Port of Seattle and started Crane Consultants, Inc., an engineering, design and inspection firm, with Lyle Harlson, formerly of Vashon. He retired in 1996, but remained the Director of the company. Gary was well known throughout the crane industry as an expert in his field. He was respected for his intelligence, honesty, integrity and professionalism. He traveled extensively, often with Lorraine tagging along, for his work. Their travels took them to Hong Kong, Thailand, Guam, Hawaii, Tahiti, Finland, Germany and many other interesting destinations. Gary loved to spend as much time as possible in the summer months at his cabin on the Chewuch River near Winthrop, Washington. During the winter months he enjoyed spending time with Lorraine and their friends in Florence, Arizona. When he was at home he loved reading, mowing his lawn and enjoying a glass of wine on his deck on beautiful summer evenings with old friends. We all learned so much from his thoughtful, patient and problem-solving approach to situations. He excelled at finding solutions where others thought there weren't any. Survivors include his wife, Lorraine, son, Ed, son, Steve (Kim), daughter, Karen Ablott (John), son, Bill (Rebecca), a sister, Marilyn Rumburg; ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A Gathering for family, friends and colleagues to remember and celebrate Gary's life will be held Saturday, June 24 at 1:00 p.m. at the offices of Crane Consultants, Inc., 15303 First Avenue South in Burien. Memorials may be made to Providence Hospice of Seattle, 425 Pontius Ave N. Suite #300 Seattle, WA 98109 or to the National Stroke Association, 9707 East Easter Lane, Englewood, CO 80112.
