Scott Carrington Hannah

Scott Carrington Hannah, age 81, passed peacefully Thursday February 11th surrounded by his loving wife of 61 years; Lynn, son John, and daughters Susan and Patty. As Scott passed, the first snowflakes began to fall. In true Scott “grand” fashion, those few snowflakes turned into the 2021 snowstorm. We know Scott was looking down upon us with that grin on his face, while slapping his knee.

Scott was born in Evanston, Illinois May 17th, 1939. He is predeceased by his parents George and Wilma Hannah, and his brother George. Over the years he entertained many with his legendary stories about growing up near the shores of Lake Michigan in Lake Forest. “Did I tell you about the time…” he would usually begin. Those lucky enough to be the recipient of his stories would often roll their eyes, knowing they had likely heard it all before. But truth be told, everybody enjoyed a “Scott” story. The story itself wasn’t always relevant, it was the story teller we enjoyed who had such joy passing along his tales of adventure while imparting bits of wisdom.

From Illinois Scott moved to Boulder, Colorado to become a Buffalo at the University of Colorado. While in the registration line the first day at school, Scott met Lynn Halvorsen. Their love of adventure started in college, from enjoying Scott’s SAE frat parties, to skiing the beautiful Colorado mountains. Later, they married and had their first daughter, Susan. After Boulder they moved to Northern California for Scott’s first job with Proctor and Gamble. In 1965 they moved to the Pacific Northwest where their 2nd child Patty was born in 1966, and a year later son John was born. Scott began his introduction into the food industry by working at Nalley’s Fine Foods and then Western Farmers Association.

In 1975 Pacific Valley Foods was formed. Scott and Lynn were pioneers in the frozen food business exporting products overseas. What set them apart was their desire to treat their colleagues and customers as true friends. Many a time they were invited to share meals at customer’s homes, or spend a weekend with a supplier and their family. Scott will be missed by so many in the industry who enjoyed his quick wit, deep knowledge, and his authenticity. His “no pretense” attitude was respected and admired and perhaps sometimes initially feared, as his personality matched his looming figure. But once you got to know Scott, you knew he was one of the “real” legends in the industry.

Scott loved being involved in his community from working on the Medina Emergency committee, coaching basketball for the Boys & Girls Club, being a Tyee donor for the UW, spending time at Overlake Country Club, or attending Bellevue Presbyterian Church. But Scott’s greatest gift he left behind was his love and devotion for family. Scott and Lynn’s love for adventure was always apparent in the many activities they did with the entire family, from the many years they vacationed in Poipu, Kauai to their involvement in the Newport Hills Swim and Tennis Club, to ski trips back to their beloved Aspen, CO. But nowhere was the passion more apparent than when they were boating. Their boating adventures began with a 17 foot boat, 3 small kids, a dog, and a tent, and they graduated in boats thereafter. Who would have known that would be the start of a 55 year long boating journey. Scott was forever young at heart. He and Lynn loved to entertain family and friends on their boat from hosting John’s fraternity brothers, to tying up to the log boom enjoying the infamous Seafair activities. They joined Meydenbauer Yacht Club in Bellevue, and later Seattle Yacht Club. They enjoyed the San Juan Islands and in particular Roche Harbor (where today the family still celebrates 4th of July). Later they cruised annually to Desolation Sound and further North on their boat “Eleuthera”, named from the island in the Bahamas which means “Freedom”. Nowhere was their joy for life so apparent than when they were up North fishing and cruising in solitude or meeting up with club friends. They also “sail gated” for many years to the UW Husky football games, participated in the annual Christmas Lighted boat parade and volunteered their time taking wonderful people on their boat for the Meydenbauer Special People’s Cruise.

Scott is survived by his wife Lynn, daughter Susan and husband Aaron (and his kids John, Kelsey and husband Ryan), grandchild Laura and husband Devin and great grandchild Cameron, grandchild Michelle and fiancé Mike, daughter Patty and husband Bret, grandchildren Kalyn and Nolan, son John and wife Nicole, grandchildren Caroline and Ava, and numerous extended family and cherished friends.

Those might not know that Scott was a very spiritual person. “Adieu” which adorns the rafters above the walkway by the Roche Harbor gardens means “I commend you to God”. We present you to God Scott, and look forward to seeing you again!

Donations can be sent to: http://www.overlakehospital.org/giving/make-a-gift