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Fredric Cutner Tausend

1933 - 2018

BORN

1933

DIED

2018

About

Harvard University Seattle University

Fredric Tausend Obituary

Fredric Cutner Tausend

7/6/1933 ~ 12/18/2018

Fred Tausend was a father-figure, friend, colleague, teacher and mentor to many throughout his life. He died peacefully at home December 18th. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered. Fred was born in New York, and received his undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard University. In 1957, he moved to Washington, where he raised a family and began an illustrious legal career. From 1958 to 1989, he practiced law with the Schweppe firm, with two breaks. In the 1960s, he served in the State Attorney General's office, where he brought the first enforcement cases under the state antitrust law. From 1980 to 1986, he was the dean of the University of Puget Sound Law School (now Seattle University Law School). In 1990, he joined the law firm of Preston Gates & Ellis (now K&L Gates), where he practiced primarily litigation and appellate law until his retirement. Fred also remained active in academia, teaching at both Seattle University and the University of Washington Law School. He has been recognized at the highest levels for his community service and contributions to the bar, including his efforts to develop and promote diversity within the legal sector.

He is remembered by many as an outstanding lawyer, teacher and dean, a leader in the Seattle legal community, and a wonderful person who played an important part in the early career of many, went out of his way to be kind and welcoming to new lawyers, and was respectful of all people, regardless of race, color, creed, economic status, or any of the other lines that can divide us. He was also a consummate storyteller, talented lyricist, trivia master and opera and classical music enthusiast, with a great sense of humor, riveting verbal skills and a strong commitment to civil rights and equal access to justice. He invested in his family as well as his students and the broader community, taking his children and grandchildren on many trips and to countless musicals, operas, plays and Mariners games.

He is survived by a blended family of five daughters and one living son, and nine grandchildren. His wife of 39 years and partner in many of his adventures, Marilyn Tausend, died in January 2018. A reception celebrating his life will be held in January 2019. Remembrances may be made in his honor to the Fredric C. Tausend Scholarship for Academic Excellence Fund at https://connect.seattleu.edu/netcommunity/law/deans-club.

Please sign Fredric's online Guestbook at www.Legacy.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Dec. 30, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Fredric Tausend

Sponsored by The Family.

18 Entries

Dennis Tessier

August 11, 2021

Truly one of the best lawyers I´ve had the honor to work with. Our hearts and prayers are with the Tausend family. Rest in peace my dear friend.

Ward Lambing

September 3, 2020

So sorry to just hear about Fred's passing. Both he and Marilyn were very welcoming towards me. The first house and what I still consider home in Gig Harbor.
Both very lovely people.
I will keep the few fond memories of them with me forever.
Ward Lambing

Justice Faith Ireland (Ret.)

March 11, 2019

I agree with those who called Fred Tausend a "Giant" in the legal profession of Washington. I first knew Fred from local politics before I attended law school. He was active in the arts as well as politics and law. At a time when women were told that they could not attend law school because they would lose their femininity, Fred was a cheer leader saying "go get 'em." He was a model of service to the public and to the profession. Sympathies to his family.

Adelene Newsome Benson

January 27, 2019

I'll forever remember Dean Tausend as I fondly remember working with him at UPS Law School, downtiwn Tacoma WA, a very long time ago. So many life lessons learned from him, as I was a very young Army wife and mother, fairly new to the workforce. He challenged me. He respected me and I likewise. We connected immediately when I let him know Leontyne Price was from my hometown of Laurel MS and a classmate of my mother and her sisters! He helped me with professional and personal matters as an attorney but most of all as a friend. I trusted his advice. So thankful our paths crossed.

January 23, 2019

I dated Freddie in college and then met with him in New York City.
He was, as I recall, systematically walking all the streets in Manhattan! And he requested that I cease calling him "Freddie," changing to Fred. Which I did.
A wonderful person, then, and after.
Ann Hershfang, Boston MA

Caitlin McIntyre

January 17, 2019

I'm so proud to call him my Grandpa. He taught me how to be kind, just for the sake of being kind. He will be missed.

Eternal Friendship Remembrance Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED

J. Kevin Callaghan

Sent Flowers

Martha Dawson

January 16, 2019

When I joined the Schweppe firm, Fred was in his initial 3 year term as dean of my law school. He handed me my diploma - we both looked a lot younger! He was my mentor, teacher and partner for the next 26 years at the Schweppe, Preston and K&L Gates law firms - and at all times a true friend. He was an amazing teacher - always challenging each member of the team to be creative, thoughtful and the best advocate for our client. I will also never forget my very first and last jury trial -- with him - about 15 years apart. Miss you my friend.

Sidney Stern

January 15, 2019

This is somewhat different from the other memories on this page. Fred was my college roommate and close friend from the day he arrived at Grey's Hall in the Harvard Yard in September 1951. Everything that has been said about his brillance and extraordinary professional career is true.
But early on he had the same brilliance, warmth and inclusiveness that marked his life.
For some reason we really hit off and he invited me to come visit his family in NYC immediately after Christmas. That became our regular holiday routine and the point of this is that his parents became my second parents. Stanley, Louise and his drum playing younger brother Hank were definitely individuals who taught me much. There expansive metropolitan culture and views changed who I was and long after college I would spend time with and get advice from Stanley and Louise.
Fred also asked me to join his two best friends from Horace Mann School for a 10 week tour of Europe that first summer. That had not been part of my family's plan for me but they fortunately agreed. It brought into my life two lifelong friends and once again their families. All of whom I remained in touch with long after college.
Their fathers in some ways gave me support and guidance when I started work in finance right out of college. Along with Jack Schafer who joined us sophmore year and who once again Fred seemed to know from NYC, all of us stayed very close with interwoven lives as time and distance allowed all our lives, enhanced for me when I arrived at Fred and Marilyn's in Gig Harbor having moved to Vancouver BC in 1999.
In a small way Fred's amazing ability to bring people together, challenge them and give them the benefit of his open generosity, a trait I found in his father as well, is a memory that I cherish as the years wind down and is my best and most singular remembrance of Fredric Cutner Tausend.

Chris Carletti

January 10, 2019

Fred was a wonderful friend, mentor, colleague and partner. He was smart, practical and funny. My most memorable times with Fred, however, were spent with him fishing on the Deschutes River and the great conversations we shared as we camped in the evenings. He will be missed.

Leslie Boguch

January 7, 2019

I have fond memories of Fred Tausend. I knew him from Temple Beth Am and he arranged for me to work at the Schweppe Law Firm while I considered attending law school. Mr. Tausend was kind and generous and I will always be grateful for the interest he shared in my career plans and my life.

Paul Lawrence

January 4, 2019

Fred and I were graduates of the same high school in New York albeit 25 years apart. Somehow in 1990 we ended up at the same law firm in Seattle - Preston Gates & Ellis - me as a junior litigation partner and Fred a highly regarded senior litigation partner. He quickly became a mentor and friend who made me a better lawyer and better person. My fondest memory of Fred is litigating with him on behalf of the Pike Place Market to prevent a group of New York investors from taking over the Market and turning it into a high end mall. His courtroom walk through the market captured the history and cultural importance of the Market to Seattle and the rapt attention of the judge and full courtroom. We prevailed and among Freds many accomplishments we can thank him for his part is saving the Pike Place Market for Seattle.

Warren Guykema

January 2, 2019

Others have already described Fred so well. He was positive, fair, interesting. It was a privilege to know him and have some dealings both on the political front and through his law school leadership.

John and Eva Mitchell

January 1, 2019

Fred. Larger than life. Our mentor and friend. The world misses you.

Susan Moffitt

January 1, 2019

I adored Fred for his warmth, acerbic humor and twinkling eyes. I consider it such an honor to have crossed paths with him and witnessed the distillation of such an amazing life.

Randy Aliment

December 31, 2018

I was one of the fortunate law students/lawyers to be mentored by Fred. I benefited from his wisdom not only in the classroom but also during plane rides and at meetings in his office and his Gig Harbor home. Not mentioned in your wonderful obituary was his skill as a mediator. His intellect, gravitas and smile helped resolve a particularly contentious international dispute involving a well-known university. My memories of Fred are personal but my experience is certainly not unique. Fred positively influenced the legal careers of countless lawyers and judges. He was a giant of the Washington legal community and will be missed by many.

William Bailey

December 30, 2018

Fred was a true legend who made a real difference in the lives of many in the Washington legal community, including mine. In 1980, I was working at the State AG's office, wanting to teach part-time at UPS. I had a number of judges who knew me write unsolicited letters of recommendation to Fred. A few weeks later, he called me, his characteristic ebullient voice leaping out of the receiver. "Bailey, I don't know who the hell you are, but you seem to know everybody I do. And they're all sending me letters on what a swell fellow you are. You got the job, okay, so no more letters. We'll talk about the details later." Every time I saw Fred in the years I taught part-time at UPS, he always had kind and encouraging words, which had a huge impact. Now teaching at UW Law full-time after 40 years in practice, I look back with enormous gratitude for all the inspiration that Fred brought to my life. It was instrumental in launching my career as teacher. He was a true mensch, a role model for us all. Just thinking about him puts a big smile on my face. I will always try to pass along the same kind of encouragement he gave me to the law students and young lawyers I work with.

Rabbi James Mirel

December 30, 2018

Sending deep sympathy to the family of Fred. It was a great privilege to serve under leadership at the AJC. A man of great integrity and decency .

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