D. Wayne Gittinger

1933 - 2014

D. Wayne Gittinger

Longtime Seattle corporate lawyer and Husky enthusiast D. Wayne Gittinger died peacefully on March 6, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Anne, and their children Marni Gittinger, John Hopen, and Susan Dunn, and grandchildren David Dunn and Joseph Dunn.

Wayne was born in Kellogg, Idaho on January 22, 1933. After a stellar academic and athletic career in Kellogg, Wayne brought his talents to the University of Washington, where he was a pitcher for the Husky baseball team. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1954, and then attended the University of Washington School of Law, where he was a member of the Board of Editors of the Washington Law Review. After graduating in 1957, Wayne attended Officer Candidate School in New London, Connecticut and served in the US Coast Guard. He was a teaching associate at the Northwestern University School of Law for two years.

Wayne returned to Seattle in 1959 where he joined the law firm of Lane Powell. He spent his entire legal career at the firm, which dedicated its conference center in his honor in 2012. During his more than 50 years practicing corporate law, Wayne counseled countless businesses and individuals through complex transactions and business matters. He served as a mentor and friend to generations of lawyers who attributed their practices and professionalism to Wayne. His expertise in corporate law and innate business acumen led him to serve on the boards of Nordstrom, Inc. (1971-2004) and Pabst Brewing (1983-1985).

In his own quiet manner, Wayne was involved in the civic life of the Seattle area in a profound way. He served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Seattle Sports Commission, the Seattle Police Foundation, the First Tee of Greater Seattle, and the Business Council of the Seattle Humane Society. He was also a member of the Campaign Leadership Council for the Swedish Medical Center Foundation.

Wayne was one of the most loyal supporters of the University of Washington, and particularly the School of Law and Athletics Department. He served on the School's Visiting Committee and the Dean's Advisory Committee. He and Anne established the D. Wayne & Anne Gittinger Endowed Professorship at the Law School and endowed two scholarships at the Law School for any Big W winner, male or female. The law school's Dean's Suite was named in their honor.

Wayne and Anne could be seen at nearly every UW football, basketball, baseball and volleyball game. Wayne received the 1995 Frank Orrico Award, presented for outstanding service and support to Husky Athletics, he chaired the Tyee Board of Advisors and the Tyee Executive Committee, and the University named its baseball facility "The Wayne Gittinger Baseball Team Building" in his honor. He and Anne endowed student-athlete scholarships in the sports of football, basketball, baseball and volleyball.

Wayne improved the lives of many people, and he will be deeply missed by his family, friends and colleagues.

At his request there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, it was Wayne's wish that a contribution in his name be made to a charity of your choice or to the UW Athletics Department, the UW School of Law, Seattle Children's Hospital or Canine Companions for Independence.