It is with profound and tearful sorrow that we must report the passing of our Seattle area member Jim Pugh.  Surrounded by his family and following a year-long battle with Leukemia, he peacefully slipped away on January 23rd.  Born in Mr. Vernon, Missouri, Jim was 87 years old.

He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was employed at the Boeing Company for over 30 years.  Jim was a long-time officer and member of the regional model group the Northwest Soaring Society (NWSS), Seattle Area Soaring Society, and Thurston County Miniature Aircraft Association, in addition to PASS.  He had an enormous passion for aviation, model aircraft and particularly flying competition sailplanes.  But more than that, he gave all the extra time he had toward helping our sport in the Northwest over his many years in the sport.  His organizational skills were used until the end as he was the current President of the NWSS.

He is survived by his loving wife and flying partner Sandie Pugh, daughters Becky and Margaret, son David, stepdaughters Lisa and Ann, and stepson Mark.  He was preceded in death by his daughter Nancy.