Benjamin Peter Shuey

1930 - 2018

Benjamin Peter Shuey

Benjamin Peter Shuey, Jr. of Seattle, WA died surrounded by family on February 26, 2018. Ben is survived by his wife Maria Arantzazu Shuey; his four children, Greg Shuey of Seattle, WA, Elisa Bakker of Kirkland, WA, Robert Shuey of Seattle, WA and Amaya Souarez of Wilmington, DE; his six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Ben was born on January 29, 1930 in Boise, Idaho to Benjamin Peter Shuey and Rachel Letitia Shuey. He had one brother, William Shuey of Boise, Idaho. Ben met the love of his life Arantza, who was an immigrant from the Basque Country of Spain, in Boise, where they attended Boise Junior College. They married on June 13, 1951. Ben graduated J.D from the University of Idaho, Moscow, ID and enjoyed a lifelong practice as an attorney. In 1958, the family moved to Seattle, WA, and later resided in Shoreline, WA where they lived from 1959 until his death. In addition to practicing law, Ben was also a talented carpenter, woodworker, and musician. As his granddaughter said recently, "Grandpa always surprised us with his skills. He could draw cartoons, play the piano and do just about anything. He inspired us to learn new skills and be adventurous." Ben was truly an adventurer at heart As an attorney, Ben was in private practice with his partners at Atwood, Sferra & Shuey in the 4th & Pike Building, Seattle, for many years. In the 1980's he moved his practice to Shoreline until his eventual retirement. In addition, he was active in the environmental community in Seattle, presiding as President of the Washington Environmental Council from 1982-1984.

Ben was an avid outdoorsman with many devotions. He was a mountaineer who summited Rainier, Baker, Hood, and Adams as well as many lesser Washington peaks. He began climbing in Idaho where he and his friends had first ascents of peaks in the Sawtooth, Boulder, and Lost River ranges. He loved to backpack, and often led his children on scrambles to off trail lakes looking for trout. Fishing was his biggest passion, and he fished all over the world for many species. Steelhead was his biggest passion, and pursuit of them with a fly rod most of all. He was a very accomplished fly fisherman and fly tyer, his casting was a thing of beauty to watch. His pursuit of steelhead led him to become an expert river oarsman. He regularly rowed all the major steelhead streams of Washington, and also rowed the big and technical whitewater of Hell's Canyon, Middle Fork Salmon, and the Owyhee. He will always be remembered for his adventurous, hard-working spirit, his sense of humor, and his love of the outdoors. He inspired many others to care for the streams, waterways and outdoor spaces in the Pacific Northwest. He was passionate about living life to its fullest.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 3:00-8:00 p.m. at Innis Arden Clubhouse on April 29, 2018. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ben's life.

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