Donald H. Amick

Donald H. AMICK August 29, 1913 - January 12, 2004 Don passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on January 12, 2004. Family and friends won't soon forget his 90 remarkable years in Seattle. His early childhood was spent in a home across the street from Garfield High School, which he later attended. When his father passed away in 1928 his mother was left to manage Amick Metal, which Don would eventually lead. His youth was filled with ice hockey, soccer, baseball and even some school during the day, while the nights revolved around dancing with friends at Seattle nightspots like the Trianon Ballroom. Don met his future wife Bettie in 1934 at Cama Beach on Camano Island. They were married in October of 1939 and soon after started construction of their home on the shore of Lake Washington. Don and Bettie loved looking out onto the lake for the rest of their lives and also enjoyed sharing the lakefront with hundreds of friends over the years. Water-skiing was a huge activity at the Amicks' in the 1940s and 50s. From barefoot water-skiing to discs to dogs-on-discs and multiple skiers - if it could be towed behind "Dopey" chances are that Don tried it! Don and Bettie began hosting Muscle Carnivals where their friends would be divided into two teams and compete in fun and memorable events. Snow skiing was a major part of Don's life and it all began as a side benefit of being a newspaperboy in the 1930s when the paper sponsored busses to Paradise at Mount Rainier for tobogganing. Don tells of sneaking up the hill with skis instead of a toboggan and being scolded by the manager. The scolding didn't deter him - he fit skiing into his busy work, sports and social calendar as he developed his racing technique at Mt. Baker, Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass, Sun Valley and other northwest areas. In 1948 at the age of 35 and with three children, Don became a member of the US Olympic Ski Team. His involvement in skiing continued when Amick Metal fabricated components for the first Snoqualmie Pass chairlift and when he was a founding Director of Crystal Mountain. Don and Bettie enjoyed many decades of skiing with their daughters and their families in Sun Valley. Don's first visit to Sun Valley was when it opened in 1936 and his last time skiing Baldy was in 2002 at age 88 - definitely qualifying him as an Ancient Skier! Besides skiing, boating was another great passion of Don's. Depending on the year Don was the Gold Cup hydroplane pit manager, race chairman or referee. The metal shop worked on the Slo-mo-shun hydroplanes I through V as well as the Kalakala's refitting as a modern ferry. In 1964 Don was elected Commodore of the Seattle Yacht Club. He wasn't always a power boater - he enjoyed six-meter sailing in the 1950s. In the 1970s and 80s there were many great fishing trips on the Amicable II with Don piloting the boat while Bettie calmly managed three poles, two "deep-divers" and several grandkids all at the same time. Tennis was another activity he took up and enjoyed with his family and friends. His slice was especially effective in his later years as it made the kids stay on their toes! Life wasn't always fast-paced for Don; he made time to needle-point with Bettie - how many homes have a stairway where every step has its own hand stitched custom design! Gardening was another major activity for him as he could often be found among huge beanstalks or picking raspberries and peaches in the yard. He seems to have saved golf for when he got "old" because it wasn't until age 75 that he picked it up and enjoyed the Sandpoint Country Club. The love of Don's life, Bettie Munger Amick, passed away in August 2003 and we are glad they are together again! Don is survived by his children: Russell (Jean) Amick, Hal (Rosie) Amick, Barbara Amick Smith (Mark), and Carey Dondero (John); his 11 grandchildren who will never forget how much fun it was to visit Grammy and Grampy's home: Donald A. Amick, Betsy Conrad, Christi Nagle, Scott Amick, Sarah Amick, Carey T. Amick, Joe Amick, Steve Dondero, Kris Dondero, Katie Dondero, and Travis Amick, and seven great grandchildren. Special thanks goes to Dr. David and RoseMarie Dale and the University of Washington Medical Center staff. The family also thanks Ali Havea, Romu Nakanacagi, Les Ferry and Jo Fuka for their extraordinary care, which allowed Don to pass away right where he wanted to be - at home listening to the waves and watching the sunrise. There will be a celebration of Don's life on Sunday, January 18, 2004 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Seattle Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the University of Washington, Neutropenia Research Fund (Acct. #65-7945), c/o David C. Dale MD, Box 356422, Seattle, WA. 98195 or the Ski For All Foundation, 1621 114th Ave. S.E., Suite 132 Bellevue, WA. 98004.