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William C. Cairns ’44

William Cairns ’44, March 28, 2000, in Seattle. He attended Reed under the Premeteorology Program and earned a BA in engineering from Stanford in 1949. His career in the wood treating industry began with the J.X. Baxter firm in San Francisco and Portland. in 1959, he moved to Seattle to manage a joint venture with Baxter and the Wyckoff Company. When the companies parted ways several years later, he became president of Wyckoff. He was active in the Seattle Rotary Club and Overlake Golf and Country Club, and he served on the board of directors for Peoples National Bank. Following a heart attack, William retired in 1990, but continued to lead an active life. Survivors include his second wife; three sons; a daughter; two brothers; a sister; and 14 grandchildren. His first wife died in 1980.

Appeared in Reed magazine: February 2001

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