Paul Cowles Anderson of Port Townsend died on November 18, 2018. He was born in Tacoma on September 18, 1931. He attended school in Tacoma and graduated from Washington State College in 1953. He obtained his masters degree in political science at WSU in 1960. He married Joyce Via of Martinsville, Virginia on August 20, 1960.
Paul taught in the public schools in Cashmere, Yelm and Tacoma. In 1961 he moved to Yakima and taught political science for 33 years at Yakima Valley College before retiring to Kala Point in 1964.
While in college, he belonged to the Delta Chi Fraternity and earned two varsity letters on the golf team. In Yakima he was very involved with the Terrace Heights Improvement Association for 18 years and the Terrace Heights Presbyterian Church. Paul co-produced and co-hosted a political interview program for four years on the public television station, KYVE. In 1993 he was awarded the Rob Leiden Award as an outstanding instructor. In 1989 Paul was president of the P.N.W. Political Science Association.
Paul enjoyed gardening and has been president of the Olympic Peninsula chapter of the American Rhododendron Society many times and has been a volunteer worker in the rhododendron garden at Fort Worden since 2001. He was an avid golfer, playing 49 years before he scored a hole-in-one, and later made two more. His travels included Western and Eastern Europe, China and other countries. Paul loved reading books on history, politics and loved to “talk politics.” Paul enjoyed backpacking with family and friends, especially at La Push and Mount Rainier. Many will remember Paul’s enthusiasm for football as he had season tickets to the Seahawks and loved to keep up with the Cougars. Paul was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Port Townsend.
He is survived by his son, David, of Port Townsend. He is preceded in death by his wife Joyce in 2015; his daughter Mari Simon of Yakima in 2017; his parents, Genevieve and Paul Anderson; his sister Marilyn Smithson and brother-in-law, Bud Smithson. He felt blessed by many close friends over many years including his caregivers Hilde Pelzer, Beth Bates, and especially his son, David.
Memorials may be sent to Jefferson County Rhododendron Society, 560 Fort Gate Road, Nordland, WA 98358 or Give Jefferson (UGN) 201-B West Pattison, Port Hadlock, WA 98339.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Port Townsend.
