Walter Lee Doughty, known locally as "Lee," of Port Townsend, passed away on Aug. 6, 2022 at age 84 from complications due to several chronic conditions.
Lee was born on Dec. 4, 1937, in Columbus, Ohio, and lived in Ohio into his mid-30s. He entered the Air Force at 22 for four years of service, which set him on the path of engine maintenance, building logistics, and facilities management. While in Ohio, he was married and had two children, one deceased.
Lee lived in Washington state from 1978 until his death, and was a fixture in Port Townsend for the past 15 years, frequenting the downtown cafes, riding his bikes all over town. He sat in daily for many years with a coffee roundtable group, showing up at a coffeehouse every morning to talk to the guys over an Americano. Here his considerable knowledge and curiosity of all subjects was welcome. He expressed particular pride in his extensive research on subjects ranging from logistics, space management, medicine and healthful living. He often tried to play the part of an "old curmudgeon," by his own telling, but was not so successful at this role, as his true upbeat nature always seemed to show through.
Lee made a daily practice of extensive exercise routines, and proudly did push-ups into his 80s to match people half his age. Lee was also an artist in several mediums, and prolifically painted, played guitar, composed songs and sang.
He built his own music studio to record his music, which he liked to place online for others to see and hear. His educational career also showed his varied interests. His M.A. was in interdisciplinary studies, and his education focused on environmental studies and applied science.
Lee was an "applied scientist" who cared about the environment throughout his life. In 1971, when environmentalism was in its nascent stages, Lee created a program for the University of Dayton, Ohio and taught a series of environmental impact courses that were intended for "everyman" to understand the concept of caring for the environment for our own good. He was one of the early solar panel users in Port Townsend, drove an electric car, and rode an electric bike, a regular bike, and a trike. Even several months before his death, while fighting illness, Lee, confident of recovery, ordered an electric/ mobility vehicle trike to replace his electric car around town.
His constant companion during the last part of his life was his dog, Jango, whom he loved and treated like a partner. Jango walked Lee all over town.
He also often mused, in his last few years, that he "beat the odds," since, as he lived into his 80s, he had already lived far longer than anyone in his family.
Lee touched people's lives in small and big ways. He is missed.
Friends are gathering to remember Lee on Nov. 6, in Chimacum. For info, contact Michael at 805-801-9657 or Kate at 360-316-8090.
