David Joseph Underhill

UNDERHILL _ David Joseph, son of Vancouver political leader Russell Harrison Underhill and grandson of business and civic leader James D. McCormack (KSG), passed away on February 28, 2007 after a brief illness. Born the day after Christmas 1923, Mr. Underhill grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia with his five siblings Isabel, Aura, Russell, Jim and Nancy. His father and mother, Mabel (McCormack), took the family on many trips to the Woodlands and other vacation spots in BC, where they enjoyed swimming, fishing and boating. Mr. Underhill's Catholic faith and sense of duty to the community were influenced greatly by his father and grandfather. His father Russell was a key figure in Vancouver civic politics, serving as executive director of the non-partisan party from 1940 until his death in 1967. Russell was also former chairman of St. Vincent's Hospital, founder of the Blue Cross Hospital plan and financial secretary of the 1954 British Empire Games. His grandfather James Donald (J.D.) McCormack was known as Dean of the BC lumber industry. He began his career working for the Weyerhaeuser family in Minnesota. In 1907, J.D. moved to Golden, BC to manage the Columbia River Lumber Company's plant, and he ended his career as the Vice President and General Manager of the Canadian Western Lumber Company. J.D.'s philanthropic activities for Catholic youth were recognized by the Vatican in 1925 when Pope Pius XI conferred on him the honors of a Knighthood of St. Gregory (KSG). J.D. McCormack passed away in 1935. Dave attended Vancouver College, a private Catholic school run by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, from grade school through high school. He often spoke of the discipline instilled by the Brothers and of the great opportunities to participate in sports. He played basketball before players used the jump shot, so he mastered the two-handed set shot, which he would demonstrate from time-to-time for his children, sons-in-law and grandchildren. Mr. Underhill's first year of college began at Gonzaga University. However, with dual U.S./Canadian citizenship, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy for World War II. His ship, the U.S.S. Salerno Bay, traveled throughout the South Pacific, relieving other ships and delivering supplies. Sailing back to the U.S. the ship passed through a typhoon and the Panama Canal before arriving in Norfolk, Virginia. Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Dave joined other veterans and enrolled at the University of Portland, which proved to be a turning point in his life. He had a great tenor singing voice, and was an active member of the University Glee Club. It was in the club that he met a nursing student, Margaret "Sally" Morrow, a young woman from Austin, Minnesota, whom he would later marry. They made many lifelong friends at the U of P. Dave and Sally were married on September 16, 1950 in Portland, and lived in Klamath Falls, Oregon until coming back to Portland in 1952. Their first child, James Russell, was born in Klamath Falls. John, David, Mary, Ann and Charles (Tim) were later born in Portland. The Underhills lived in North Portland for over 30 years. All the kids went to Holy Redeemer Catholic School where both parents were active in the parish and with Catholic Youth Organization sports. After graduating from U of P in 1949 with a degree in Sociology, Mr. Underhill worked for the Klamath Falls, Oregon Herald and News (1949-1952), the University of Portland (1952-1955) and as public relations manager for Pacific Northwest Bell and AT&T (1955-1985). During his years as spokesman for the telephone companies he dealt with many extraordinary events, from the Columbus Day storm in 1962 to the Olympic Games Torch traveling through the state in 1984. Dave Underhill was widely respected for his contributions to the Portland, Oregon community. He was active in the Public Relations Society of America, International Association of Business Communicators, Oregon Industrial Editors Association, Rotary, St. Vincent de Paul, Portland Chamber of Commerce and many other civic and school organizations. Dave mentored many young communication professionals and was committed to helping them succeed. In 1987, Sally Underhill passed away after a long illness. Over the next five years Mr. Underhill moved to Vancouver, Washington, joined St. Joseph's parish and met Patricia Nofield, a retired nurse who was widowed and had six grown children of her own - there were many common bonds. After a brief courtship they were married on February 20, 1993. They enjoyed 14 years of marriage, friendship, love of God and time spent playing golf, attending men's basketball games and women's soccer matches at University of Portland, and get-togethers with friends and family. Mr. Underhill is survived by his wife Pat, sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Bruno Westerlund, and sister-in-law Demarest Underhill, both of Vancouver BC. Also surviving are his six children, Jim (Judy), John (Kay), David (Dixie), Mary (John), Ann and Tim (Shari), plus 18 grandchildren. On the Nofield side are Pat's six children, Michelle, Michael, Paul, Steve, Patrick, and Rich and seven grandkids. Dave was well loved by Vancouver, BC nieces Kate (Meagan, Michael, David), Ginnie (Christoffer) and Leanne (Ashleigh, Spencer) and Mariann. A Funeral Mass was held at 1:00 on Saturday, March 10 at Mr. Underhill's local parish of St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Vancouver, Washington. A private burial was conducted at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In remembrance, spend time with your family, with friends and by making your community a better place. Financial contributions can be made to The Millennium Fund at Vancouver College, 5400 Cartier Street, Vancouver, BC V6M 3A5.