Charles “Tom” Springer

Charles Henry Thomas Springer(“Tom”) was born in Fuyang, China to Charles Oliver Springer andMarion Tucker Springer who were serving with the China InlandMission. It was a time of famine, war (Japan), and deprivation – with the family having to leave China in a harrowing trip back to the U.S. in1944. They returned to China in 1947and Tom entered the Chefoo boarding school at Kuling on Lushan Mountain. He spent the next 4years rarely seeing his parents. The family again had to leave as Mao advanced in 1951; they settled inSeattle where his father became pastor of the Mt. View PresbyterianChurch. Tom graduated from Highline High School (1958); then the U.S. Naval Academy (1962). He served 8 patrols on 2 Fleet BallisticMissile submarines. He resigned from the Navy to attend StanfordLaw School saying that he wanted to spend his life in more positive ways than being prepared to launch missiles at places he had lived. But he felt that the submarine service had provided enough of a deterrent to keep the peace during his active duty time. After getting his JD degree (1972), he became a civilian lawyer for the Navy in CA, then WA. With his nuclear power back-ground, he became an active speak-er in CA in opposing expansion of nuclear power plants due to the problems of plutonium waste.The family moved to Seattle whereTom worked at Sand Point. With 3athletic sons, Tom supported Scouts, and watched many soccer games and swim meets. He became involved in several conservation efforts, particularly salmon restoration on Hood Canal. He became actively involved as an educator and judge in the “We The People” pro-gram encouraging civic education to high school students. He was an active member of University Congregational UCC. Tom’s job took them to London for 5 years which afford-ed a lot of European travel. Additionally, extensive travel vacations all over the world have been highlights of retirement years. Tom and his wife, Jeanette (“Jenny”) were married for almost 60 companion-able and affectionate years.

He is survived by Jenny; sonsChristopher (Kristine), Thomas, andMatthew (Shareen); and grandchildren McKendree, Lily and Ben;brother Joseph (Elaine), and sistersHarriet Moore and Ruth Kraakevik. His oldest sister, Molly Johnson, predeceased him.Tom endured Parkinson’s Disease for 23 years with courage. He took advantage of this time to write his unique story. He will be remembered for his keen intellect, his wrestle with philosophical issues, interest in the world, gentle humor, and delight in his family & friends.Friends are invited to celebrate

Tom’s life Sat., August 19 at Univer-sity Congregational UCC at 2:00 pm.