This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/pBC.2ACE/4289.2 Message Board Post: Roosevelt Neighbor’s Alliance Newsletter, Seattle, WA: Long-time RNA treasurer and Board Member Hal Hemke passed away August 4, 2000. His calm presence, meticulous note-taking, and sage counsel at our meetings and in many negotiations with developers and city officials played a vital role in our efforts to preserve and improve the livability of our community. Those of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with him will continue to be inspired by his example of community dedication and service. Mr. Hal Hemke became a "charter member" of RNA when it formed in 1984. A planned SRO 800-seat Triplex loomed for the Blessed Sacrament playground area on Roosevelt. Its construction was prevented by the efforts of Hal and the other founding members of the RNA: Cathy Palmer, Judith Wirth, Phil Theil and Karen Schmidt. Hal became RNA Treasurer right away, and served until he retired and passed the office on to Tina Rousch. He was also concurrently Treasurer of the University District Community Council, and was a long-standing “UDCC” member. Hal worked eight years in Lima, Peru for Pan American Grace Airline. He met his wife, Iola, in Lima, snapping up the “cream of the crop”. He also had a four year stint of teaching (in Portuguese) in Brazil. Living in South America was a wonderful experience. He was retired from Boeing, where he was an engineer. He was an avid fisherman and boat owner. Hal unfailingly attended hundreds of meetings over the years as a neighborhood activist interested in preserving the quality of life in the U. District. For example, he served along with Tina and Hans on a past U. District planning committee that met for 3 years prior to the current U.C.U.C. He was proud of working along side Judith Wirth and the remarkable, late Linda Doupe, in saving the U. District from a gigantic office structure planned by Martin Selig which would have stretched from NE 47th to NE 45th on 15th Ave NE. Hal was always been an invaluable addition to the RNA land use committee. In the summer of 1989, Hal helped appeal the Lee project at the corner of 11th NE and NE 50th, along with Phil, Hans, Dan Jardine, Karen and others, resulting in some significant improvements in the project design from a neighborhood perspective. During his retirement, Hal wrote his memoirs for his alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. Hal was gentleman & friend overall! He was a mentor to many current and past RNA members, board members, and Presidents.