Name: Celebration of Life for Arnie Pomerinke
Start: 2014-11-15T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Club Husky, University of Washington, Husky Stadium

Arnie Pomerinke

8/8/1946 ~ 10/14/2014

Our beloved Arnie V. Pomerinke passed away this October surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Arnie brought pure light into the world. And he shared it freely with everyone he touched; infusing every life with the intensity of his compassion, his boundless generosity, his easy smile, hearty laugh, and his truly indomitable spirit. Our world briefly became a little darker with his passing. But his brilliant light shines on still, magnified a thousandfold, radiating out from every soul blessed enough to have known this wonderful man.

With his giant heart, unbridled enthusiasm and bottomless confidence, Arnie approached life with passion and brought that to everything he did. Growing up in Toppenish, WA, he learned how to work hard at a young age, and learned the value of drive and determination. He graduated from Toppenish High and after spending a year at Yakima Valley College, he moved to Ellensburg to attend CWU. It was in Eastern Washington that he started a family and where he first got involved in the restaurant business - an industry that would become his successful career of almost 50 years.

In 1980 he moved to the Seattle area, continuing his restaurant career as a partner in Dante's and owner of the Lockspot Cafe;, two iconic Seattle area landmarks. In 1971, he met his soulmate, Ann Marie and in 1983 they married. The two were inseparable, and spent much of their free time boating, a passion they both shared and that brought them great joy and introduced them to so many wonderful people. Arnie was also an avid fan of all sports, a big contributor to the University of Washington and spent his early years coaching youth athletics.

Arnie was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Eileen and two brothers, Eldon (Lee) and Richie. He is survived by his wife Ann Marie, his brother Ray, two sons, Keith Pomerinke and Andrew Walker, two sisters in-law, Kathleen Pomerinke and Gwen Pomerinke, three brothers in-law, Bill Victor (Michelle), Jim Victor (Karyn), and John Victor, two daughters in-law, Julie Pomerinke and Jennifer Ely Walker, four grandsons, nine nieces and nephews, three grand nieces and nephews, and one Goddaughter

Arnie's Celebration of Life will be held on November 15th at 2:00 pm at Club Husky (University of Washington, Husky Stadium, 3800 Montlake Blvd NE, Seattle, WA 98105). Casual dress. Flowers may be delivered between 11am and 1:30 p.m. The family has also created an email account to collect "Arnie Stories."

Please send your favorite memories (and/or pictures) to: [email protected].

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

Published by The Seattle Times from Nov. 2 to Nov. 9, 2014.

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Connie Swanson

November 15, 2014

Ann Marie and Family,
For twenty five years I looked forward to driving north for Husky football and riding the yellow school bus from Arnie's establishments. I saw two and three generations of family continue with the tradition of the yellow school bus. I met many new acquiantances and long time friends. The bus was continually filled with much joy and we all felt like family with Arnie as our skipper. When Arnie decided to no longer continue with the bus, he felt bad and apologized to all of us, yellow bus faithfuls. Arnie was a classy man with a big heart. Thanks for all the fond memories on Husky Football Saturdays. I will always cherish them in my heart.

November 15, 2014

To Annie and Family,
For twenty five years,I looked forward to driving north for Husky Football and riding the yellow school bus to the stadium. I saw two and three generations of family continue with the yellow bus tradition. I met many new acquaintances and long time friends. We all felt like one big family and Arnie was our Skipper. When Arnie decided to retire from the yellow school bus business, he felt bad and apologized to all of us faithfuls. He always made us feel like we were at home and part of his family. I will always cherish the many memories of Husky Football Saturdays and will truly miss Arnie and his legend.
Connie Swanson Goretti

November 12, 2014

Arnie was an intensely compassionate man, a true and loyal friend, and one of the most important people in my life. I will miss him terribly all the rest of my days. My deepest sympathy and all my love to his family, especially Ann Marie, Keith and Ray.
~Diane Medonich

November 11, 2014

Arnie and Annmarie sold me my first home, were my next door neighbors, dear friends and brother and sister. We always had so much fun and life next door to Arnie was never dull. I miss my buddy, but know his spirit shines within me daily. Love you man....Jeri Haggard

Kerry (Enzminger)Buell

November 11, 2014

I had the privilege of knowing Arnie and Anne Marie while I attended CWU in Ellensburg. I worked for Arnie at Goofys in the kitchen. Arnie ran a very successful place and all the employees found it quite an adventure! Arnie was quite a baseball player. I had the opportunity to hang out with Anne Marie and Rhonda and remember much laughter and fun. I went on to marry a man from Toppenish who also knew the Pomerinke family and I was able to talk to Arnie's parents. I have seen Annie's name on Run for the Cure leaflets and was always amazed how busy the two of them were. I pray you will have peace knowing that Arnie is being well taken care of until the day you can be reunited! My prayers are with you.

November 10, 2014

I was grew-up with the whole Pomerinke family. Went on Vacations with them, hunted with them, the list is end-less! Arnie's youngest bother Rich was my best friend and best man at my wedding. Arnie May you always walk in sunshine and God's love around you flow. For the happiness you gave us no one will ever know. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. A part of us went with you the day God called you home. A million times we needed you, a million times we cried. If love could only have saved you, You never would have died! Don Schademan

Christie Swanson

November 10, 2014

Arnie and Ann Marie welcomed all of us to their Husky bus and establishments. My daughters were introduced to Husky football there and both later became UW students.It was always such a warm place to be, even on a gray,rainy fall day.Thanks.

November 10, 2014

Arnie was a great guy who never met a stranger. I was so impressed that he kept a mental list of everyone he knew and tried his best to keep in touch with all. A true friend who will be missed terribly. Bob Pederson

arthur swanson

November 9, 2014

I and my friends enjoyed many Saturday afternoons riding Arnie's football bus to Husky games.He was well liked by everyone.Rest in peace.

November 9, 2014

I am very sad to read of Arnie's death. He was a dear friend and caretaker of David Black. I will always be thankful for that. I met Arnie through David, and it makes me smile to think of them sipping a martini together.

Deborah Severtson-Coffin

November 9, 2014

I grew up in Toppenish knowing all the Pomerinke brothers, I was in the top hi marching band with Arnie & spent a fun afternoon with him in Spokane at the Lilac festive. What a fun guy. Rest in peace Arne. Terri Balmer Saxlund

November 7, 2014

Memories are treasures to carry with you always.

Julie Jackson Klein

November 5, 2014

I was so sad to hear of Arnie's passing. Best boss and absolutely one of the most fun, friendly, kind people I've ever known!

Gene Stout

November 4, 2014

Dear Ann Marie,

Gretchen and I are so sorry to read about Arnie's passing. We hope you are surrounded by loving friends and family members at this difficult time. Please let us know if there's anything we can do.

Gene Stout & Gretchen Sorensen
Continental House

November 2, 2014

Meeting Ann Marie and Arnie is one of my most cherished memories since moving here. Arnie was one of a kind...not very many men like him. My thoughts are with you Ann Marie.
Betty
Betty

Phyllis Mccutchan (Heilman )

November 1, 2014

I'm a cousin to arnie. His mother and my mother were sisters. We grew up very close and had so much fun together.
As I grew up with him I always wished we weren't cousins cause I wanted
To marry him. We were probably about 11 yrs old.

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