Douglas B. Wollen

The world lost a remarkable man when Doug Wollen passed away on August 16, 2011. Doug was only 51 years old when he succumbed to complications from routine colon surgery, but he packed a lot of life into his short time here.

He was born in early 1960, the first of three sons born to Keith and Fran (Kuncl) Wollen, currently of Port Angeles, WA. He grew up in Pullman, WA and graduated from Pullman High School in 1978, with a 3.88 GPA and numerous athletic accomplishments. He was an All Conference football player, once kicking a game winning 47 yard field goal. But his true calling was the discus, which he threw for state records and the Washington State AA Championship in 1977 and again in 1978.

Doug attended the University of Washington on a full ride athletic scholarship. He was a four year letter winner, throwing the discus and shot put, and earned All American honors in the discus in 1982. His career best throw of 201 ft. 8 in. still ranks fifth in UW school history.

After graduating from UW in 1983 with his BS in Mathematics, he joined Boeing as a software developer in the Kent Environmental Test Labs. He met his wife, Marlene Kane, in 1984. They married in 1986 and settled in Kent to work and raise their children, Brett, Alec and Sierra, who were the focus and highlight of their lives.

Doug treasured the outdoors and active outings with family and friends, most recently rafting the entire length of the Grand Canyon, zip-lining through the Hawaiian rainforest canopy and guiding his friends up brutal Aasgard Pass into his favorite wilderness paradise, the Enchantments. The mountains called to him, and he conquered several including Rainier, Kilimanjaro, Baker and Adams.

He spent his entire 27 year career at Boeing, most recently as a project manager for a group developing aeronautical simulation software and design tools. Highlights of his career at Boeing include earning his PMP from George Washington University, presenting at the 2007 BCS2 conference and completing the IT Leadership Development Program.

Doug greatly enjoyed serving the youth of his community. He coached youth track, soccer, basketball and flag football when his kids were young, and then worked as an assistant track coach at Kentridge High School for the past several years. He volunteered as an adult leader with Boy Scout Troop 474 for years and mentored many boys through their Physical Fitness merit badge. He also donated time and expertise to elementary science clubs in the Kent schools, and served on KSD science steering and boundary revision committees.

Doug’s zest for life included a deep appreciation of classic rock and blues – he played a mean electric guitar himself. He admired classic muscle cars and relished that rare lazy afternoon when he could catch some NASCAR on TV. And he was a connoisseur of hoppy IPAs, robust cabernets and gourmet food, especially when Marlene was doing the cooking! His own home brewed IPA was excellent.

Doug is survived by his loving wife, Marlene, his sons, Brett and Alec, his daughter, Sierra, his parents, Keith and Fran Wollen and his brothers, Craig and Bruce Wollen. A memorial service will be held in the Kent Senior Activity Center East Room on September 11 at 2:00, with a reception to follow and conclude about 4:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Doug’s name to either the UW GI Cancer Program Research Fund  or to UW Track and Field .

Donations can also be made by check to the GI Cancer Research Fund at: UW Medicine Advancement, Attn: Gift Processing, Box 358045, Seattle, WA 98109, or to UW Track and Field at: UW Athletics, Attn: Jennifer Cohen, Box 354070, Seattle, WA 98195. Please make checks payable to “UW Foundation” and note Doug’s name and your donation fund of choice on your check. Thank you!

Doug appreciated life and lived it to it’s fullest. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. Thanks for the memories, dear friend. You will always be with us.