Alexander Stewart Ballinger

Alexander Stewart BALLINGER Stew passed away peacefully with his family by his side on the evening of Monday, July 19, 2010, at the age of 95. Stew, a third-generation Seattleite, was born on July 25, 1914, to John Henry Ballinger and Alma Stewart Ballinger. He attended the Lakeside School and Pomfret Academy, then graduated from Yale in 1936. Stew returned to Seattle and married Rosemary "Wade" Ostrander in 1940. The newlyweds moved to Honolulu just in time for the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Stew volunteered for the Navy following the attack and served as the combat flight director on the USS Enterprise. After the war, the couple moved to Los Angeles, where Stew pursued a career as a performer in musical theatre. A few years later, Stew and Wade followed his dream to New York City, where Stew performed in musicals and reviews. When the couple started a family and moved to Connecticut, Stew began a career behind the scenes in live television and radio. The young family moved back to Seattle in 1959, where they settled in the Highlands. Stew's career path led him to radio, first at KIXI, and then at KZAM. While Stew was the managing partner at KZAM, they shook up the local radio industry by adopting a contemporary rock format and hiring female DJs. Stew and Wade were leaders in the emerging Seattle theatre scene, and served on the boards of the Seattle Repertory Theatre, the Seattle Opera, and ACT. Stew continued to perform on stage and, over the course of his career, appeared in many local musical productions, including two with the Seattle Opera. As a lifelong member of the Seattle Tennis Club, the University Club, and the Seattle Golf Club, Stew was a perennial writer, director, and performer in their variety shows. He was an avid lyricist who loved to sing and never passed up the opportunity to share his songs and voice with those around him. Always physically fit, Stew pursued his passion for golf and tennis throughout his life. He and Wade travelled the world playing tennis with the People To People sports ambassador program; once in Australia, Stew snuck in a round of golf and made a hole-in-one playing with borrowed ladies' clubs. He continued to play in United States Seniors' Golf Association tournaments across the country well into his nineties. Stew was preceded in death by Wade, his wife of 61 years, and son Bruce Ballinger. He is survived by son Mike Ballinger, daughter Wade Skinner and husband Paul, son Scott Ballinger and wife Cindi, and grandchildren Alexandra Okner and husband Paul, Rosemary Torrance, Ariel Starr and husband Logan, Thomas Torrance, and Wylie Ballinger. A small memorial gathering will take place at the Highlands Chapel at 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 25, followed by a celebration of Stew's life on his 96th birthday at the Seattle Golf Club at 3:30 pm. To honor Stew, please consider making a donation to the Seattle Repertory Theatre, or treat yourself to a round of golf!