Francis Duane (Dewey) Anstett
Francis Duane Anstett, 93, died peacefully on April 26, 2010 in the presence of his loving family. His death was due to complications from a fall six weeks ago. Dewey was born to Albert and Katherine Anstett in Fargo, North Dakota in 1916. In 1936 he came to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, living at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house. While students at the UW, he met Agnes Shaw, his future wife of 67 years.
Dewey worked summers as a marine radio operator, including service on the historic five-masted lumber schooner, the Vigilant. After graduation, Dewey attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola and remained overseas for three years during WWII, flying PBYs as a Lieutenant Commander.
Following the war, Dewey worked for Westinghouse on Wall Street in New York. He and Agnes raised eight of their nine children on Long Island, where he was later associated with Airborne Instruments Laboratory, a division of Cutler Hammer.
In 1959 the family moved to Seattle, where their ninth child was born, and Dewey worked at Boeing until his retirement in 1979. Dewey and Agnes created a beautiful home on the shores of Lake Washington in Kirkland, and continued to raise their large, loving family. Dewey had a lifelong love for the water, boating, and travel. Agnes and Dewey cruised each summer to Victoria for many years on their boat the Shwego II. They traveled to five continents and particularly enjoyed Alsace, France, where they studied genealogy and met many Anstett cousins. The entry door to their 300-year-old Alsace ancestral home is now displayed in the Kirkland family home.
Dewey was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Newman Club, Serra Club, Holy Family parish in Kirkland, Institute of Radio Engineers, and American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
In addition to his wife Agnes, Dewey is survived by his sister Marion Radigan of Clearwater, FL; sons David and Fred of the Seattle area, and Michael (Claire) of Auckland, New Zealand; daughters Didi, Marie (Rob) Maddox, Meg, and Kathy (Rich) Cannon, all of the Seattle area, and Beth (Bob) Van Ausdle of Alameda, CA; and daughter-in-law Joan of Castle Rock, CO. Dewey is also survived by 18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Damien, Roxann, Jean, Peggy, Todd, Julie and Jaxon Anstett; Alyssa, Alex, Ethan and Ava Fields; Shawn Maddox; Carly Lawhead; Casey, Kyle and Sarah Scott; Claire, Charlie and Monica Cannon; Michael, Tommy and Sammi Van Ausdle; and Kylie Gunn. He was predeceased by his brother Hugh, son Terry, and grandson Fraser.
There will be a viewing from 7 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 30 at Barton Family Funeral Service, 11630 Slater Ave NE, Suite 1A, Kirkland.
A celebration of Dewey’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 1 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 7355 120th Ave NE, Kirkland, and a reception will immediately follow. Contributions in Dewey’s honor may be made to Holy Family parish or Evergreen Hospice.
Please sign the online guest book at www.legacy.com