Frederick Wade Short

Frederick Wade SHORT Age 86. Passed away Saturday, May 5, 2007, at his home in Shoreline, WA. Preceded in death by his wife, Mae M. Short, in 2006, and first wife, Edyth Spicer Short; a son, Stephen Short, in 2004; his parents; sister, Carol Jackson, and nephew, Brooks Jackson. Born on September 12, 1920, to William and Gladys Short in the same neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, as Jackie Gleason/Mae West, he was also the grandson of vaudeville performers, Charlotte and Franklin Deveaux. He was an honors society member and graduate of Baldwin High School, Baldwin, NY, class of 1937. A World War II veteran, Fred joined the military in Washington, D.C. and served in General Pattons Third Army, 20th Armored Division (which liberated Dachau concentration camp). His military duties were as a Forward Observer, directing tank artillery, in pursuit of German Panzer units from Normandy into Germany/Austria, and later as an interrogator of Nazi POWs (having learned German on-the-job-training). After VE (Victory Europe) Day, Fred was returned to the US West Coast for troop build-up for the impending invasion of Japan. In August, 1945 atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, ending the war, and he was discharged in California. In 1937, Fred began his career in the shipping/maritime industry with Todd Shipyards in New York City. Fred was transferred to their Washington, D.C. offices in the early 1940s. Military service interrupted, and upon his discharge, in 1946 Todd Shipyards reassigned him as a sales rep to Los Angeles, then San Francisco, and finally Seattle. In Seattle, he left Todd Shipyards to work for Lockheed Ship Repair (PSB&DD). In 1961 Fred joined the Port of Seattle's Public Relations Dept. He handled corporate, seaport and Sea-Tac Airport media relations. Fred was also a contributor to Port periodicals, including the Port's external magazine, Reporter, and had a popular column for the employee magazine, Caught Short By Fred, a creative and entertaining commentary on the Port and society. He was active in many professional organizations associated with international transportation, maritime commerce, and public relations including the Maritime Press Association, Public Relations Society of America, Propeller Club, Virginia V Foundation, and many others. He retired from the Port in May, 1981. Dad's retirement years were filled with activity, love, music, travel, play, family, and renewal. In September, 1981, he married and honeymooned in Honolulu, Hawaii, with the love of his life, Mae Ahlgren. Dad was known for his intelligence, creativity, wit, impatience, stubbornness, integrity and principles - someone you didn't forget. He found a variety of venues to utilize his sharp mind, restless spirit and creativity, starting with a column he wrote for the Daily Journal of Commerce for two years, The Long and the Short of It; a 14 year stint as editor/writer for the monthly Port of Seattle retirees newsletter, ExPorter; as a volunteer from 1984-2000 for the Washington Library for the Blind, wrote and recorded a radio program, The Way It Was on Seattle history; from 1982-87 a Board of Directors committee member for the Steamship Virginia V Foundation (formed to preserve the last operational steamer of the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet); a Port volunteer greeter for the cruise ships; meeting with the Lunch Bunch; travels to NYC, New England, Washington D.C., New Orleans, Florida Keys, Midwest/Great Lakes, Hawaii, and Calif. For Dad, life really did offer him the best for last, and he enjoyed it to the hilt. Survived by his sons, Geoff (Ruth) Short, Mukilteo, WA, and Clyde (Myra) Short, San Francisco, CA; daughter-in-law, Mari Short (Steves widow), Kirkland, WA; Sheri Short, Kirkland, WA; stepson, Bill Vidak, Porter, TX; stepson, Russell (Patricia) Ahlgren, Seattle, WA, and stepdaughter, Jan Ahlgren, Shoreline, WA; nephew, Scott Jackson, Florida; grandsons, David (Susan) Short, Lake Forest Park, WA and Christopher CJ Short, Mukilteo, WA; granddaughters, Beki Short, Edmonds, WA, Sarah Ahlgren, Seattle, WA, and Katie Ahlgren, San Diego, CA; great grandchildren, Naomi and Rachael Short, Lake Forest Park, WA, and Quincy Banister, Seattle, WA. The family wishes to give special thanks to Dad's hospice care team, (Lyn, Gwen, Shirley "the tomato", Tony), and his caregivers, Ali and Juanita, for being so gentle and kind. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, May 23, at 12 noon at Evergreen-Washelli, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA. Reception to follow at the family home. Cremation by the Neptune Society. At Dad's request, at a future date, his and Mae's ashes will be spread in Honolulu. Suggested donations to Steamship Virginia V Foundation, WA Library for the Blind, Nature Conservancy or Providence Hospice of Seattle. Often after a visit with Dad, as you were leaving, he'd say, see you later kid. So our goodbye to him with love and affection is: See You Later, Kid