LEANORE JUNE PROPST

PROPST, LEANORE JUNE June 22, 1925 March 27, 2011. Leanore June Propst of Sammamish, Washington died peacefully at home on March 27, 2011. She was 85. Born June 22, 1925, in Denver, Colorado, Leanore (Lee) June Isett grew up in the city, living with her mother and father, Meda and Paul Isett and her brother Robert. She attended the University of Denver. There she met Robert Lewis Propst and they married in March 1945 after he returned from service in WWII. Lee and Bob were happily married for 55 years, had four children, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren, all living. Lee was an astute business partner to Bob during their whole married life. She helped him form the Propst Company in Denver, Colorado where they pursued architectural art projects, as well as developing Bob's own innovations. They moved their family and business to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1960, to pursue a mission of innovation for Herman Miller Inc. by forming the Herman Miller Research Corporation. She was an able financial manager, legal advisor, operations manager and literary editor. She was the first woman to be nominated to a board at Herman Miller. She happily took on a wide range of work, enjoyed the fellowship of the many talented and thoughtful people she worked with. In 1979, Bob and Lee moved their operations to Bellevue, Washington where they reestablished the Propst Company. Of the many ventures that they launched, one of the most ambitious was the Propst Housing Venture, which lead to the construction of four prototype buildings, of which one was Bob and Lee's home and the another their workplace. Lee was an accomplished cook, homemaker, avid reader, world traveler and gracious hostess. She was a natural listener and was always energized by the enthusiastic dinner discussions that would accompany her fine meals. Her husband preceded her in 2000. Lee is survived by her brother, Robert Isett, son, Paul Propst, daughters, Claudia Berg, Patty Propst, and Robby Quigley, grandsons, Dave Brewin, Benson Propst, Dylan Propst, Levi Propst and great grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her family who loved her as someone truly unique. A service in her memory will be held in May in Denver, Colorado. The family encourages charitable donations in her memory in lieu of flowers.