SCOTT WITT

1922 - 2016

Scott J Witt Born March 26, 1922 in Wenatchee, WA to Faye and Charles Witt, slipped away on August 18, 2016. He made a life that was, by any measure, wonderful indeed. By 1923 he and his parents had moved to the planned city of Longview, WA. Their initial home was a small house shared with his uncle, aunt, and first cousin (Floyd, Ella, and Marney Scott) where they helped pioneer the establishment of that fledgling community. Scott and Marney (two years his senior) were "only children" and grew up as de facto siblings. They remained near and dear to each other throughout Scott's long and remarkable life. At just 3 years of age his father Charles passed away suddenly. Left fatherless the challenge of raising Scott fell to his mother Faye and grandmother, Alice Scott with significant assistance from Floyd, Ella, and big "sister" Marney. Floyd became the first of several mentors who came into Scott's life at times when they were most needed. These people greatly influenced his personal and professional growth and held a special place of reverence throughout Scott's life. Despite growing up during the Great Depression, he experienced a remarkable life in Longview. He forged life-long friendships and relationships there. At R.A. Long High School he excelled in school as well as in a variety of sports football, basketball, baseball, and track & field (he was twice state champion in the high jump and held the school record in that event for 62 years). He graduated in 1940 having been named to all-state teams in football and basketball. While at the state track meet in Pullman he met the basketball coach at Washington State and quickly decided to become a Cougar. That man, Jack Friel, became his second great mentor. In 1977 Scott successfully spearheaded a drive to have the court at Beasley Coliseum at WSU named after his beloved coach. Like so many from that era he departed college to join the war effort. Within weeks of the German surrender and the end of WWII, while near the French/German border 1st Lt. Witt of the U.S. Army was felled by shrapnel that struck him in the leg. In an instant his military, as well as athletic, career was ended. He shipped home to rehabilitate and ultimately returned to WSC to graduate; he then worked for 4 years as an assistant to the athletic director at the school which was so very dear to him. While in Pullman he met his wife-to-be, Doris Slade. They married in 1947 and shared 65 years together prior to her succumbing in 2013. In 1949 he began a 31 year career with Weyerhaeuser in Longview. In 1958 he came to Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Tacoma to work for Lowry Wyatt who became his final great mentor. Scott ultimately rose to the position of VP of human resources. Beyond his professional leadership, Lowry Wyatt and his wife Win introduced Scott and Doris to the joys of travel. They then spent a great many of their retirement years wandering the globe and vacationing at their condominium on Maui. Scott is survived by his children and their spouses - Colleen Wann (Presley), Greg Witt (Patty), and Janet Bell (Rob), five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. In addition he leaves behind that sister-he-never-had, Marney (Beemer) and the man who was his brother-from-another-mother, Bob Hayward. Each and every one has been profoundly blessed to have had him in their life. Special thanks are given by the family to the staff at Aegis of Bellevue for the friendship, care, and love they provided Scott in the final months of his life journey. Additionally, the Emergency Room and ICU doctors and staffs at Overlake Hospital are to be commended for the treatment and tender comfort they provided in his final days and hours. A celebration of Scott's life will take place at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club. It WILL be a celebration of a life well-lived. We encourage you to wear your Aloha shirts and dresses (no denim). Please email us at ScottWittfamily@gmail.com or call (425) 747-0375 for further details. Should you feel so inclined, contributions in Scott's name can be made to the WSU Foundation (PO Box 641925 Pullman, WA 99164-1925).