Keith McLean Callow

Judge Keith M. CALLOW Keith McLean Callow was born January 11, 1925 in Seattle Washington, the second child of Russell and Dollie Callow. At that time his father was the men's crew coach at the University of Washington. "Rusty" went on to become an internationally successful crew coach, coaching the "Great Eight" to an Olympic Gold at the 1950 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland. Due to his father's coaching jobs at the University of Pennsylvania and at the Naval Academy, Keith was raised on the East Coast just outside of what is now Philadelphia, graduating from Lower Merion High School in 1943. He began college on the East Coast, but was quickly drafted into the army to serve during Wor War II. After a short boot camp he was shipped overseas and fought in Europe at the Battle of the Bulge. He was one of only three survivors in his unit, and was wounded there, receiving a Purple Heart medal. Home from the army, Keith returned to Seattle and attended the University of Washington where he earned a Bachelor's degree and Law degree. It was during this time he met and married his wife Evelyn Case. They were married 58 years and had three children. After law school he joined the Attorney General's office and worked in Olympia for over two years. He then returned to Seattle and went into private practice for the next 20 years. In the late 1960's, Keith was appointed to the King County Superior Court by then Governor Dan Evans. Between the late 1960's and 1990, Keith served on the King County Superior Court, Washington State Court of Appeals, and then a term on the Washington State Supreme Court. When he was not re-e1ected to the Supreme Court, Keith was devastated. In his later years he would say this was one of the best things that had ever happened to him. The loss of the election opened up a new career with the United States State Department He journeyed to countries, Estonia (1992) and Kyrgyzstan (1997) two of these, to assist judges and lawyers to create a new legal system in these emerging new states. He had a special connection for the people he met in Estonia, remembering that time very fondly. Returning back to work in Seattle, he assisted with arbitration hearings, conducting mediations until he became ill with kidney failure in 2006. Keith will be remembered by friends and colleagues as a bright, attractive, fun man with an exceptional sense of humor. He was an excellent legal scholar whose contributions to our legal system continue to this day. Preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, Keith died April 4 of complications from diabetes and kidney failure. Besides his many wonderful friends and the Horizon House and NW Kidney Center staffs who cared for him so lovingly (THANK YOU!), he is survived by his three children, four grandchildren, and their spouses. They are: Andrea (Callow) Knowles (Tyler Pepple and Rebecca Clinton, and Mark Pepple), Douglas Callow, Kerry (Callow) and Eric Gross (Lindsey and Matt Gross). A Memorial Service for "The Judge" is being held Saturday, May 10th, 3:00 p.m. at Sand Point Community Church, 4710 NE 70th St. in Seattle. A Rreception will follow. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the University of Washington School of Law Scholarship Fund.