In memoriam: Alice McKay attended Tuesday’s meeting and reported that husband Chuck’s health was declining rapidly. Little did we know... he died the very next day after a long battle with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.  I just read his obituary in this morning’s paper – he was quite an amazing man (even more so than I realized) and I will remember him fondly. You can read his obit here:

 

http://obits.columbian.com/Columbian/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=138601451 (editor’s note: it’s below)

I am not sure how long the actual obituary will be up (on the Columbian’s site), but the guestbook will be posted until February 15. Hopefully you can view it soon.

 

Chuck and Alice were founding members of All Weather Walkers and very active – especially in the early years. Even now, Alice continues to do what she can. Many of us remember Chuck’s light-hearted good humor and fun-loving personality. Services are on Tuesday in Portland. Please keep Alice and the rest of the family in your thoughts; I know they would appreciate it wholeheartedly.

 

Jan Breneman, President

All Weather Walkers

 

Charles Freeman McKay  

 October 5, 1926 - January 13, 2010

 

Charles Freeman McKay died January 13, 2010 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born October 5, 1926 in Portland, Oregon to Freeman Charles and Hilda Marie Wickman McKay. His mother's family were from Finland and his father's family were Hudson's Bay people.

 

Charles attended James John Elementary and Roosevelt High School until the age of 16 when he enrolled in the apprenticeship program at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. He received his high school diploma from Vallejo High School.  During World War II and the Korean Conflict he was in the U.S. Navy Pacific submarine service.

 

Charles met his wife Alice while they were undergraduates at the University of California, Berkeley. They married August 23, 1956 in Vancouver, Washington. He received his BS in Chemical Engineering in 1957. Two years ago, he received his 50 year membership pin from the American Chemical Society. He was also a life member of the California Alumni Association.

 

Charles worked for 12-1/2 years at Areojet-General in Sacramento, California as a chemist in the Solid Rocket Propulsion Laboratory. While there, he was a member of the Aerojet Bagpipe band and was a Webelo leader for the Boy Scouts of America.

 

After working as a rocket scientist he went to sea, starting as a Marine Electrician on the Corps of Engineer dredge Chester Harding. Eleven years later, he had a Chief Engineer's license. He was the first chief engineer of the dredge Essayons, for which he received a "plank-owner's" certificate and was chief engineer of the Bureau of Indian Affairs supply ship The North Star III when it was laid up. He sailed "deep-sea" on Sealand containerized cargo ships and was first engineer on the ferry boat COHO and worked on the Alaska Ferry Lines. He was a retired member of MEBA.

 

Charles loved music and dancing. He and his wife were charter members of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society and he was the third president of the Society. Over the years he spent many enjoyable hours volunteering or going to various jazz festivals. He and his wife also went on several jazz tours and cruises worldwide. He was also a member of several West Coast Jazz Societies.

 

As a Mason, he was proud to be past master of his Blue Lodge, Doric #132 (now consolidated with Kenton Lodge #145). He also received the Hiram award for outstanding service to Oregon Masonry.  Other memberships include: Oregon Historical Society, Clan MacLeay #122, All Weather Walkers Volks March club, AARP, and Eagle Aerie #2158.

 

Charles is survived by his wife, Alice; daughter, Paula Cox (Randy); son, Eric McKay (Trish); daughter, Alison Campbell (Carl); and son, Charlie McKay (Julie); and his brother, Richard McKay (Anne); grandchildren, Jessica Peebles (Max), Heather Gallegos (Zach), Cody Cox, Jacob McKay, Dane and Cara Campbell; and step-grandchildren, Josh, Justin, and Kiagh Tawney, Justin and Jessica Swanson, Megan, Josh, and Madisyn Browne; and great-grandchildren, Sydney and Camren Peebles and Brandon Gallegos.  He was preceded in death by a younger sister, Luzanna Madson.

 

Chuck had a zest for life and fun loving personality that was immediately apparent to all who met him.  His family and friends will miss his wit and one-liners.  The family wishes to thank Kaiser Hospice, Adrian Nicoara and his staff at Harmony Adult Family Home for their care and attention to his needs these last months of his life.

 

Viewing at Ross Hollywood will be Monday, January 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Services will be held Tuesday, January, 19 at 11:00 a.m. at Ross Hollywood Little Chapel of the Chimes, 4733 NE Thompson Street, Portland, Oregon followed by a procession to Willamette National Cemetery for interment.

Memorial contributions may be made to further Parkinson's research.  Please sign his guest book at: http://obits.columbian.com/Columbian/Obituaries.asp

 

Published in The Columbian on 1/16/2010

 

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Will We See You in 2010?  We hope to so please send your dues to:  

 

All Weather Walkers

Attn: Treasurer

PO Box 241

Vancouver, WA 98666-0241

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Two items from Sam Korff, our Regional Director:

1.  The start point for NW10/1685, Port Gamble, WA, has changed.  The previous start point, the Port Gamble General Store, has closed.  The walk box is now at the Olympic Outdoor Center, 32379 Rayonier Ave., Port Gamble.  The center is right across the street from the store, so the printed directions are still (almost) good.

2.  The start point for the Quincy YRE has changed.  The new location is SUBWAY Sandwiches, 450 "F" St., across the driveway from the Traditional Inns, which has gone out of business.

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President’s Corner – Jan Breneman

PREZ SEZ

A few months ago, we discussed organizing the supply trailer, taking a good inventory, and identifying box contents. Will you agree to take one or two boxes home and make lists of contents, then forward them to me? I will compile all lists into one single document, which will give us a head start on organizing before spring, when the walking “season” really ramps up. I’ve agreed to inventory a couple of boxes and if others will too, this would be of immense help. In a few months, we will form a work party to do some purging and cleaning. Give me a call 835-9686 or email breneman@pacifier.com if you can assist with this project.

On another note: I am busy researching a new route for our May 1 walk from the Firstenburg Community Center and on Monday (Jan. 25) went driving around the Burton neighborhood. I found two parks that I didn’t know about but could not learn the name of one, despite asking several local people I encountered while walking it, as well as a city park sign posted at two entrances. (I’ve always found it very frustrating that the city has signs posted at all their parks but they do not give us the actual names – AARRGGHH.) In this case, it’s not located on my (software) map either. I have a call into the city, but… well, you know J

We have done nice routes in past years, and any of those would be a great back-up plan. But my preference is to develop a brand new trail north of Firstenburg. If anyone lives in the area or has particular knowledge that will help me find an interesting route, PLEASE contact me. The first ad (Northwest Pathfinder) is due February 26.

HOW DOES A COMPASS WORK?

No matter where you stand on earth, if you hold a compass in your hand it will point to the magnetic north pole. How come? The compass is in fact an extremely simple device, consisting of a small, lightweight magnet (the needle) which is balanced on a nearly frictionless pivot point. The needle always aligns itself with the Earth’s magnetic field, which is created by electrical currents in the slowly moving molten iron of the earth’s outer core. This magnetic field runs on a North-South orientation, so the compass always points north.

Reprinted from the Walker’s Pocket Companion, Malcolm Tait, Pavilion Books, London UK, 2007, Page 135.

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Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 9 - ALL ARE WELCOME!
details and map are now here

Sections that rarely change are also at this link: AWW Challenge information, AWW Challenge results, list of officers/valued associates, and Weekend Walking description.

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AWW Challenge Completions

Congratulations to those people who completed the AWW Challenge in 2009:

 

 

 

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2010 Starting Point: AWW will not have any for sale.  Please contact Martha Korff korffs@wildblue.net (503) 728-0400 if you want a copy.

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2009/2010 Club Event/2009 Weekend/Wednesday Walk Calendar:

Events:
1/30/2010: walk from Legacy - Salmon Creek in conjunction with an ESVA meeting
5/1/2010 - May Day at Firstenburg
September 4-6, 2010 - Mt. St. Helens events: Coldwater Lake (5/10km), Silver Lake/Seaquest State Park (5/10km), Hummocks Trail (5/20km), and Spirit Lake (6/12km).
12/18/10 – Holiday Lights in Camas
 
Group Walks:  Wednesday Walks - http://home.comcast.net/~titone7604/Wed/wed.htm

Weekend Walking: http://home.comcast.net/~titone7604/weekend/weekend.htm

NORTHWEST REGION'S CALENDAR OF EVENTS –
Jan 30                Wk              All Weather Walkers -Vancouver – ESVA Meeting  86327                            WA              360-263-1228                                                         

Feb 6-7              Wk              Four Plus Foolhardy Folks                                     Eatonville                            WA              253-531-2796

Feb 6                  Wk              Columbia River Portland   86229                         503-228-4434

Feb 13               Wk              Columbia River Portland   85921                         503-453-6018

Feb 13               Wk              Tualatin Valley Volks - Hillsboro     86284          503-324-6191

Feb 27               WK              Interlaken Trailblazers - Woodinville  86471     253-813-6776

Mar 13               Wk              Eugene-Springfield Mossback - Eugene  86000                                                                                                                     541-747-6470

Mar 14               Wk              Longview Border Crossers - Kalama – Pi Walk   86650  503-728-0400

Mar 20               Wk              Daffodil Valley - Puyallup 85770                         253-845-6592

Mar 20               Wk              Cedar Milers - Beaverton – St Patrick’s   86649  503-520-1115

Mar 27               Wk              Over-The-Hill-Gang - DuPont   86289                 253-875-3064

Mar 27               Wk              Over-The-Hill-Gang - DuPont   86290                 253-875-3064

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Thanks to Jean for providing the following:

		Total Walkers for 2009
2009/Y0364	Lacamas Lake	64
2009/Y1460	Round Lake	75
2009/Y0425	Burnt Bridge Creek	71
2009/Y0980	RidgefieldWildlife (Seasonal)	28
2009/Y1017	Fisher's Landing North	84
2009/Y1616	N. Bonneville (Seasonal)	67
2009/Y1617	Frenchman's Bar	86
2009/Y1872	Felida	39
2009/Y1905	Salmon Creek - WSU	62
2009/1968	Washougal	74
	Total	650

 

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