C. Calvert Knudsen

C. Calvert Knudsen, former Chairman and CEO of MacMillan Bloedel, was remembered this week by friends and family as a man curious and optimistic about the world. He died peacefully at home in Palm Springs, Calif., of complications from cancer on April 24, 2009. He was 85. "Cal's life was both beautiful and complete," said Ken Brody, long time friend and business associate of Mr. Knudsen. "Blessed with a keen intellect and a great spirit, he achieved greatly while retaining a warmth and openness rare in a demanding world. No one we have known has ever been so universally well liked. He was, in short, incomparable and will remain unforgettable." Cal Knudsen was born in 1923 in Tacoma, Wash., and built his life and career in the Pacific Northwest. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1948 and from its law school in 1950 after which he joined the law firm of Bogle, Bogle & Gates in Seattle where he practiced law for 10 years and became a partner. In 1960 Mr. Knudsen started a long and successful relationship with the forest products industry culminating in 1976 with his election as President and Chief Executive Officer (and later, Chairman) of MacMillan Bloedel. He retired from active management at MacMillan Bloedel in 1983 and continued as Vice Chairman of the Board until 1990. In addition to his corporate pursuits Mr. Knudsen developed Knudsen Vineyards and the Knudsen-Erath wine label in Dundee, Oregon in the early 1970's. This effort distinguished him as an early pioneer and leader in the industry's development there and his on-going involvement contributed to the Willamette Valley of Oregon becoming one of the great wine regions of our time. Mr. Knudsen was also an owner/director of The Ostrom Company, the largest provider of fresh mushrooms in the Puget Sound area. Mr. Knudsen served on many boards of directors during his life. In California these included Castle & Cooke, Security Pacific Bank and Smoke Tree Ranch. He was also a member of the Committee of 25 in Palm Springs, Calif., and the Bohemian Club in San Francisco, Calif. Mr. Knudsen's wife of 40 years, Julia Lee Roderick Knudsen, died in 1990. He is survived by his loving companion, Sally Phinny of Seattle, Wash., and Palm Springs, Calif.; his sister, Joan Ameday (Al) of Bermuda Dunes, Calif., and Seattle, Wash.; and his four children and eight grandchildren; Calvert Conrad Knudsen and his son, Andrew, of Woodinville, Wash.; Page Knudsen Cowles (Jay) and their three children, Lucia, Colin and Maxwell, of St. Paul, Minn.; Colin Roderick Knudsen (Rita) and their four children, Abigail, Charles, Colin and Peter, of New York, NY; and David Callison Knudsen (Claudia) of Paige, Texas. A memorial reception was held at his home in Palm Springs. Calif., on Sun. April 26, 2009. A memorial service will be held at St. Marks Cathedral in Seattle, Wash., on Tues, May 12, 2009 at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Western Arts Council of the Palm Springs Art Museum.