George Fredrick "Skip" Kachlein

In Loving Memory of George Kachlein iii

March 12th 1934 - November 9th 2023

George Kachlein peacefully passed away in his home in Bellevue, Washington on November 9th 2023. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Kachlein, and family, Kristine (Mathew) Sweeney, Mark (Belinda) Kachlein, Mike Davis, Bill (Barbara) Davis, Dyan (Steve) Williams, and 11 grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his first wife Barbara Rudolph, his daughter-in-law, Norma Davis, and grandson Malcom Ogden Davis.

Following Barbara's untimely death in 1986, he reconnected with his longtime friend and former UW classmate, Sandy Ogden Davis, and they married in 1988, and they celebrated their 35th anniversary in August of this year.

Born in Seattle Washington, George, known as "Skip" by many childhood friends, briefly lived in Tacoma during his father's Naval service. He attended McGilvra Elementary school, Garfield High School and the University of Washington.

At the UW, he joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, where he made lifelong friends, rowed crew, and joined the Naval Reserves Officers Training Corps. He worked part time at Littlers in the men's clothing department. Following graduation, he proudly served in the US Navy at the United States Taiwan Command located in Formosa, now known as Taiwan.

He met Barbara while at the UW and the two were married in Tokyo, the summer of 1956.

Following active duty, George was asked by his father-in-law, R.E Rudolph to come work for the Ellensburg Telephone Company. He joined the 2nd generation, family-owned business in 1958 and helped lead and grow ETC into a highly respected telecommunications industry. He worked his way up in the company and took over the reigns as president following the retirement of his father-in-law. George cared deeply for the company and the wonderful team with whom he worked.

During his 40 years with the company, he served on several telecommunications boards, including the Washington Independent Telephone Association and the United States Telephone Association.

He served the Ellensburg community as president of both the Junior and Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. He was a member of the Elks Club, and a 12 year member of the Ellensburg Rodeo, and was elected to the Ellensburg city council. He then also served on the boards of, The Washington Athletic Club, the Central Bank of Washington and was president of the board of directors of AAA of Washington.

He was an active member of the Associated Washington Business. George was also a member of the Yakima, Ellensburg and Whidbey Island golf clubs, and a 12 year board member of his Canadian fishing club.

George was a passionate Washington Huskies fan and supporter, often proudly wearing and displaying his alma mater colors of purple and gold. He was also an avid and highly skilled fisherman and bird hunter, never turning down an opportunity to wake up in the very early hours to pursue his outdoor passions with his wife, family, friends, and work associates.

He loved alpine skiing and enjoyed taking his young family on ski vacations to share the exhilaration and joy of the sport.

During his retirement years, George enjoyed traveling around the world visiting grandchildren in Oregon, California, Hawaii and Australia.

He spent his winters in Palm Desert where he enjoyed golfing, hiking and tennis. He was a member of Silver Sands Racquet Club, Thunderbird Golf Club, The Committee of 25, The Living Desert and McCallum Theater.

The special places George cherished most thorough out his life were at his home on Whidbey Island, sailing on his boat the "Skip it", and spending time at a private fly-fishing lodge in British Columbia.

It was in these beautiful retreats, surrounded by his family and friends, that George was his happiest, fishing, socializing, and sitting by the fire at the end of another great day.

Celebration of life will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina, WA

On Thursday, December 21st at 2pm

Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Community Homes, P.O. Box 1240 Bothell, WA 98041 and Young Life Desert Cities, 42-215 Washington St. Suit A #326

Palm Desert, CA 92211