Theodore Clinton West

May 17, 1919 – February 9, 2015 "... it has always seemed to me that books are the supreme decorations of a room." -Patrick O'Brian, Testimonies Ted, a great fan of Patrick O'Brian novels, lived in the realm of the arts and literature. In Ted's story, each subject, person and idea caused great interest and, when he had questions, the pursuit of answers. He amassed books to fuel his insatiable literary habit, and surrounded himself with a good read in every room of the house. His own Navy story tells of his time in WWII as a hospital corpsman who traveled to Guadalcanal in a Liberty ship troop transport. His observations and drawings claim a shelf for his own military history. His recollections are recorded in a Snohomish 2010 collection of WWII survivors' stories, War and Sacrifice. Ted's professional history is a story of a hitchhiking undergraduate student who persevered to attain his PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Washington, where he continued in research and teaching to lead future pharmacology, pharmacy and medical students to achieve their dreams and goals. His groundbreaking medical education teaching ideas prepared him to move on from the University of Washington to the Medical School at the University of California Davis where his medical education skills were put to work to streamline the medical school curriculum. With approximately 70 known publications in his resume, Ted retired in 1986 as an accomplished and loved teacher and mentor. Ted's family journal is quite extensive and filled with adventure. He and his wife, Juliann, raised three children (Dave, Don and Lynne) in Seattle before moving to California. Ted delighted in four grandchildren: Anna, Karl, and Peter (parents Mark and Lynne Hereth), and Tyler (parents Don and Donna West), as well as nine great grandchildren: Chloe, Fenna, Eissen, Jack, Logan, Dylan, Morgan, Landon, and McRae. Ted's journal entries recount many family visits, trips across country, kayaking, camping, singing, hiking, nostalgic farm adventures, and a retirement return to the Northwest where he and Juliann settled in Snohomish. Ted maintained his connections with his family. He knew when a grandchild needed encouragement and tenderly offered it. Though not affiliated with a specific church, he volunteered to compile and edit the Zion Lutheran Church Centennial book. For many years Ted, under the guise of going to Zion Lutheran School to help with reading in second grade, took his harmonica along and weekly entertained both the children and the class parrot. "I have often observed that … noise and activity go with good-fellowship and heightened spirits." -Patrick O'Brian, The Letter of Marque Finally, Ted's personal story was the secret to his longevity. He very deliberately adjusted the course of his ship and set sail for new adventures and relationships. Following the loss of his wife, Ted began his eventual two-volume autobiography featuring the many people and events of his life. At the close of the first volume Ted then dedicated much of his time to music interests. Both the Stilly Singers and Singing Strings offered him two days a week of music and good company. Ted then learned of the Everett Norwegian Male Chorus, and determined that since his birthday was the same day as the Norwegian Independence Day (Syttende Mai) he was destined to become a member of the Sons of Norway. With great enthusiasm, he joined the brethren and was also adopted by this talented and jovial group. In his nearly one century of living, these relationships and camaraderie gave him pure joy and purpose. Ted was a man of great intellect and unbounded curiosity of science and lov e of art and music; but most of all, he loved people, and they felt it. Ted's family will have a private graveside service at the GAR cemetery in Snohomish. Arrangements through Bauer Funeral Chapel, Snohomish. On July 12, at 2:00 p.m., a celebration of Ted's life will be held at the Thomas Family Farm located at the intersection of Highway 9 and Marsh Road. Ted's friends and family are invited. Ted's family wishes to thank the Providence Hospital Comfort Care and Hospice personnel for the gentle care Ted received. Suggested memorial donations: Everett Norwegian Male Chorus (ENMC) 8726 Shadow Wood Dr. Everett, WA 98208; Bethany of the Northwest P.O Box 5128, Everett, WA 98206; Zion Lutheran School Tuition Scholarship 3923 103rd Ave SE, Lake Stevens, WA 98258, or a charity of your choice