Forrest Mark "Skip" AMSDEN

1935 - 2021

AMSDEN, Forrest Mark "Skip" 1935 - 2021 Forrest Mark "Skip" Amsden, a.k.a. Clyde Philstrip or Murgatroyd Farnsworth, 1935-2021, was born in Spokane to Forrest and Ethel (Rhoad) Amsden and lived in the Hillyard area. A leader even as a young man, Skip participated in Boys State where he was voted Youth Governor of Washington. He graduated from Rogers HS, attended Humboldt State University, graduated from EWU, and earned an MBA from Gonzaga. His business career took him on a journey from Twin Falls, ID to Las Vegas, Nevada's nuclear test site, and back to Cheney and EWU teaching in the business department and directing the Department of Career Planning and Placement. Skip was a talented athlete, playing football, college and Army baseball, racquetball, and golf. He was a licensed river guide on the Snake and Salmon Rivers. Travel beckoned him whether to England, many places in the lower 48 states, Hawaii, and Alaska, and he loved fishing and hunting wherever he could. At age 12, he had polio and Shriners Hospital saved him. He gave back by volunteering there for16 years. Skip and his bride Patricia were married for 47 years and enjoyed children Kevin (Mary) grandson Cody, Lori (Dennis) grandsons Canton and Brayton Leach, and Amy (Jason) grandsons Blake and Bryce Tellinghusen. Skip taught them the value of a proper handshake, the advantages of using leverage, the technique of secreting extra spoons in one's back pocket for the spoons game, and the friendly family rivalry between the Huskies and the Cougs. Skip was so special with a twinkle in his eye, a grin on his face, gumption and a knack for being in the right place at the right time.