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| Birthplace: Port Townsend, Washington |
| Last Resided in: Bellingham, Washington |
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| Obituary |
Sam Peach died April 26, 2005 at Mt.
Baker Care Center in Bellingham, where
he received exceptional care. He was
born March 29, 1919, in Port Townsend,
WA. In 1937 he began his college
education at the University of
Washington, majoring in chemical
engineering. He rowed on the freshmen
crew and was also on the U of W swim
team. He was a member of the SAE
Fraternity. His college career was
interrupted by the 2nd World War. He
was stationed in Paris and flew many
solo missions as a P-38 pilot providing
photo reconnaissance for the Allied
Forces. From 1951 to 1952, during the
Korean Conflict, he was stationed in
Fairbanks Alaska before Alaska had
attained statehood.
After WWII, Sam returned from service
to attend the University of Washington
Law School, graduating in 1947. After
graduation, he clerked for the
Washington State Supreme Court. For
the next 52 years he maintained a solo
law practice in Bellingham. He retired
at the end of 2000. While practicing
law, Sam formed an Air National Guard
post in Bellingham where he served as
the commander. He retired as a Colonel
from the Air National Guard in 1979.
Sam is survived by his wife, Kate
McMorris Peach, to whom he was married
for 58-1/2 years. His children are
Matthew, Andrew, Charles and Todd. His
grandchildren are Kelly Peach, Sarah
Peach, Nicholas Peach, Zachary Peach,
Maggie Peach, Joseph Peach and Kathryn
Peach. He has two step-grandchildren,
Emilio and Marilena Kim.
Sam’s interests included golfing at the
Bellingham Country Club, watching &
listening to Mariner baseball games,
taking a swim in the lagoon below his
house during the summer months, tending
to his fruit trees and sweet peas, and
watching his grandchildren participate
in sports.
Sam loved the practice of law. He
enjoyed describing himself as
a “country lawyer,” focusing on
representing individuals rather than
corporations. He was best known
statewide for his expertise in railroad
right-of-way litigation. He argued the
first civil case published by the newly
created Washington State Court of
Appeals in 1969. His opponent in that
case, later made famous from Richard
Nixon’s Watergate, was John Ehrlichman.
Sam was widely known for his kindness,
generosity and enthusiasm. He will be
missed by all whose lives he touched.
No services will be held. |
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