The Seattle Times
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Robert Catterall, 76, Issaquah developer
By Christopher Schwarzen
Times Snohomish County bureau
Though he was a prominent Issaquah real-estate developer and self-made millionaire, Robert W. Catterall always considered himself a humble farmer.
Not wanting to let city life change that, Mr. Catterall years ago moved 18 sheep to the back yard of his downtown Issaquah office, where they still graze today.
The sheep alone were enough to gain him notoriety in town, but Mr. Catterall's friendly handshake, open-door policy and philanthropic lifestyle drew people to him, friends and family said.
Mr. Catterall died last Thursday (Aug. 12) at his home, after a stroke earlier in the week. He was 76.
Born Nov. 5, 1927, in Seattle to Richard and Gladys Catterall, Mr. Catterall served two years in the Navy before attending the University of Washington, where he majored in biology and fine arts. Part of his time as a UW student was spent attending the University of Paris, Sorbonne.
Upon graduation, Mr. Catterall began working as a business manager with a company in Fairbanks, Alaska. He changed jobs and locations until 1958.
During that time he married Lois Houghton Catterall, who preceded him in death June 24. She had suffered from multiple sclerosis during the last 10 years of her life, and Mr. Catterall acted as her caregiver. The two were married 48 years.
Mr. Catterall returned to Washington in 1958, taking a job as a real-estate salesman with the Rowley Agency in Issaquah. By 1963, Mr. Catterall was operating his own company, Eastside Realty, where he worked until about five years ago. It was there that Mr. Catterall was able to make his mark, but he never lost sight of those around him, friends and family said.
"He was a salesman, and a very good one," said Margie Squifflet, who worked as Mr. Catterall's secretary for 28 years. "But I don't think he ever met a stranger. He was always there to shake hands and say 'How are you?' "
For a number of years he helped operate a 160-acre fruit farm, including pears and apples and cherries, which belonged to his wife's father in Zillah, Yakima County. He later purchased the farm from her father.
Mr. Catterall believed in helping others, volunteering in civic and charitable organizations. He was a member of the Issaquah Kiwanis, the Eastside Municipal League and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. He supported the arts and eventually donated a large collection of Pacific Northwest artwork to a local gallery.
He supported the Issaquah Historical Society, the Village Theater, the Second Chance teenage alcohol-rehabilitation program, Salmon Days and the Miss Issaquah scholarship program. Mr. Catterall was a member of the Issaquah Hall of Fame.
"My father didn't come from a wealthy family, but he believed in working hard and giving back," said his oldest son, Cecil Catterall. The little spare time Mr. Catterall and his wife had was spent traveling the world, visiting places such as Russia, Egypt, Panama and Tahiti. He also loved to play tennis.
Relatives said that shortly before his death, Mr. Catterall told them, "I have lived a long full life, accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish, had a great marriage and a loving family. I could die tomorrow and have no regrets."
Mr. Catterall also is survived by son Kirk Catterall; daughter Karen Catterall; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A public memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sept. 11 at East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 S.E. 32nd St., Bellevue. Arrangements are by Flintoft's Funeral Home and Crematory.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Robert Catterall, 76, Issaquah developer
By Christopher Schwarzen
Times Snohomish County bureau
Though he was a prominent Issaquah real-estate developer and self-made millionaire, Robert W. Catterall always considered himself a humble farmer.
Not wanting to let city life change that, Mr. Catterall years ago moved 18 sheep to the back yard of his downtown Issaquah office, where they still graze today.
The sheep alone were enough to gain him notoriety in town, but Mr. Catterall's friendly handshake, open-door policy and philanthropic lifestyle drew people to him, friends and family said.
Mr. Catterall died last Thursday (Aug. 12) at his home, after a stroke earlier in the week. He was 76.
Born Nov. 5, 1927, in Seattle to Richard and Gladys Catterall, Mr. Catterall served two years in the Navy before attending the University of Washington, where he majored in biology and fine arts. Part of his time as a UW student was spent attending the University of Paris, Sorbonne.
Upon graduation, Mr. Catterall began working as a business manager with a company in Fairbanks, Alaska. He changed jobs and locations until 1958.
During that time he married Lois Houghton Catterall, who preceded him in death June 24. She had suffered from multiple sclerosis during the last 10 years of her life, and Mr. Catterall acted as her caregiver. The two were married 48 years.
Mr. Catterall returned to Washington in 1958, taking a job as a real-estate salesman with the Rowley Agency in Issaquah. By 1963, Mr. Catterall was operating his own company, Eastside Realty, where he worked until about five years ago. It was there that Mr. Catterall was able to make his mark, but he never lost sight of those around him, friends and family said.
"He was a salesman, and a very good one," said Margie Squifflet, who worked as Mr. Catterall's secretary for 28 years. "But I don't think he ever met a stranger. He was always there to shake hands and say 'How are you?' "
For a number of years he helped operate a 160-acre fruit farm, including pears and apples and cherries, which belonged to his wife's father in Zillah, Yakima County. He later purchased the farm from her father.
Mr. Catterall believed in helping others, volunteering in civic and charitable organizations. He was a member of the Issaquah Kiwanis, the Eastside Municipal League and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. He supported the arts and eventually donated a large collection of Pacific Northwest artwork to a local gallery.
He supported the Issaquah Historical Society, the Village Theater, the Second Chance teenage alcohol-rehabilitation program, Salmon Days and the Miss Issaquah scholarship program. Mr. Catterall was a member of the Issaquah Hall of Fame.
"My father didn't come from a wealthy family, but he believed in working hard and giving back," said his oldest son, Cecil Catterall. The little spare time Mr. Catterall and his wife had was spent traveling the world, visiting places such as Russia, Egypt, Panama and Tahiti. He also loved to play tennis.
Relatives said that shortly before his death, Mr. Catterall told them, "I have lived a long full life, accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish, had a great marriage and a loving family. I could die tomorrow and have no regrets."
Mr. Catterall also is survived by son Kirk Catterall; daughter Karen Catterall; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A public memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sept. 11 at East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 S.E. 32nd St., Bellevue. Arrangements are by Flintoft's Funeral Home and Crematory.
The Seattle Times
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Robert Catterall, 76, Issaquah developer
By Christopher Schwarzen
Times Snohomish County bureau
Though he was a prominent Issaquah real-estate developer and self-made millionaire, Robert W. Catterall always considered himself a humble farmer.
Not wanting to let city life change that, Mr. Catterall years ago moved 18 sheep to the back yard of his downtown Issaquah office, where they still graze today.
The sheep alone were enough to gain him notoriety in town, but Mr. Catterall's friendly handshake, open-door policy and philanthropic lifestyle drew people to him, friends and family said.
Mr. Catterall died last Thursday (Aug. 12) at his home, after a stroke earlier in the week. He was 76.
Born Nov. 5, 1927, in Seattle to Richard and Gladys Catterall, Mr. Catterall served two years in the Navy before attending the University of Washington, where he majored in biology and fine arts. Part of his time as a UW student was spent attending the University of Paris, Sorbonne.
Upon graduation, Mr. Catterall began working as a business manager with a company in Fairbanks, Alaska. He changed jobs and locations until 1958.
During that time he married Lois Houghton Catterall, who preceded him in death June 24. She had suffered from multiple sclerosis during the last 10 years of her life, and Mr. Catterall acted as her caregiver. The two were married 48 years.
Mr. Catterall returned to Washington in 1958, taking a job as a real-estate salesman with the Rowley Agency in Issaquah. By 1963, Mr. Catterall was operating his own company, Eastside Realty, where he worked until about five years ago. It was there that Mr. Catterall was able to make his mark, but he never lost sight of those around him, friends and family said.
"He was a salesman, and a very good one," said Margie Squifflet, who worked as Mr. Catterall's secretary for 28 years. "But I don't think he ever met a stranger. He was always there to shake hands and say 'How are you?' "
For a number of years he helped operate a 160-acre fruit farm, including pears and apples and cherries, which belonged to his wife's father in Zillah, Yakima County. He later purchased the farm from her father.
Mr. Catterall believed in helping others, volunteering in civic and charitable organizations. He was a member of the Issaquah Kiwanis, the Eastside Municipal League and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. He supported the arts and eventually donated a large collection of Pacific Northwest artwork to a local gallery.
He supported the Issaquah Historical Society, the Village Theater, the Second Chance teenage alcohol-rehabilitation program, Salmon Days and the Miss Issaquah scholarship program. Mr. Catterall was a member of the Issaquah Hall of Fame.
"My father didn't come from a wealthy family, but he believed in working hard and giving back," said his oldest son, Cecil Catterall. The little spare time Mr. Catterall and his wife had was spent traveling the world, visiting places such as Russia, Egypt, Panama and Tahiti. He also loved to play tennis.
Relatives said that shortly before his death, Mr. Catterall told them, "I have lived a long full life, accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish, had a great marriage and a loving family. I could die tomorrow and have no regrets."
Mr. Catterall also is survived by son Kirk Catterall; daughter Karen Catterall; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A public memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sept. 11 at East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 S.E. 32nd St., Bellevue. Arrangements are by Flintoft's Funeral Home and Crematory.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Robert Catterall, 76, Issaquah developer
By Christopher Schwarzen
Times Snohomish County bureau
Though he was a prominent Issaquah real-estate developer and self-made millionaire, Robert W. Catterall always considered himself a humble farmer.
Not wanting to let city life change that, Mr. Catterall years ago moved 18 sheep to the back yard of his downtown Issaquah office, where they still graze today.
The sheep alone were enough to gain him notoriety in town, but Mr. Catterall's friendly handshake, open-door policy and philanthropic lifestyle drew people to him, friends and family said.
Mr. Catterall died last Thursday (Aug. 12) at his home, after a stroke earlier in the week. He was 76.
Born Nov. 5, 1927, in Seattle to Richard and Gladys Catterall, Mr. Catterall served two years in the Navy before attending the University of Washington, where he majored in biology and fine arts. Part of his time as a UW student was spent attending the University of Paris, Sorbonne.
Upon graduation, Mr. Catterall began working as a business manager with a company in Fairbanks, Alaska. He changed jobs and locations until 1958.
During that time he married Lois Houghton Catterall, who preceded him in death June 24. She had suffered from multiple sclerosis during the last 10 years of her life, and Mr. Catterall acted as her caregiver. The two were married 48 years.
Mr. Catterall returned to Washington in 1958, taking a job as a real-estate salesman with the Rowley Agency in Issaquah. By 1963, Mr. Catterall was operating his own company, Eastside Realty, where he worked until about five years ago. It was there that Mr. Catterall was able to make his mark, but he never lost sight of those around him, friends and family said.
"He was a salesman, and a very good one," said Margie Squifflet, who worked as Mr. Catterall's secretary for 28 years. "But I don't think he ever met a stranger. He was always there to shake hands and say 'How are you?' "
For a number of years he helped operate a 160-acre fruit farm, including pears and apples and cherries, which belonged to his wife's father in Zillah, Yakima County. He later purchased the farm from her father.
Mr. Catterall believed in helping others, volunteering in civic and charitable organizations. He was a member of the Issaquah Kiwanis, the Eastside Municipal League and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. He supported the arts and eventually donated a large collection of Pacific Northwest artwork to a local gallery.
He supported the Issaquah Historical Society, the Village Theater, the Second Chance teenage alcohol-rehabilitation program, Salmon Days and the Miss Issaquah scholarship program. Mr. Catterall was a member of the Issaquah Hall of Fame.
"My father didn't come from a wealthy family, but he believed in working hard and giving back," said his oldest son, Cecil Catterall. The little spare time Mr. Catterall and his wife had was spent traveling the world, visiting places such as Russia, Egypt, Panama and Tahiti. He also loved to play tennis.
Relatives said that shortly before his death, Mr. Catterall told them, "I have lived a long full life, accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish, had a great marriage and a loving family. I could die tomorrow and have no regrets."
Mr. Catterall also is survived by son Kirk Catterall; daughter Karen Catterall; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A public memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sept. 11 at East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 S.E. 32nd St., Bellevue. Arrangements are by Flintoft's Funeral Home and Crematory.
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