Kari Ingrid Osterhaug

Kari Ingrid Osterhaug, an ecologist with King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, died January 5, 2003. Kari had completed the University of Washington’s Wetlands Science and Management Certification course and held a Bachelor of Science in zoology from the University of Washington. After graduating from the UW, Kari did field research in wildlife biology, including work in Eastern Washington and Montana and a six-month project in Panama for the Smithsonian Institute.

Those who worked with Kari remember her quick smile, and her love and enthusiasm for seemingly everything about natural resources, with the possible exception of diatom collection.  While with King County, Kari participated in bird, amphibian, vegetation, fish, and bug surveys, and most recently managed the Cedar/Lake Washington Benthic Macroinvertebrate study. She was also assisting in the critical areas ordinance updates with wetlands mapping. In 1999, Kari identified a bog on the Trilogy at Redmond Ridge Urban Planned Development. She first identified the bog through a helicopter fly-over of the wetland, and she noted its similarity to a known bog nearby.  She set about proving that it was a bog and spent much of her own time researching and recruiting bog experts in support of her cause. She was right—it is a bog, and her efforts make a difference in how it will be protected.  Future efforts will aim to rename this special waterbody in Kari’s honor.

Kari approached all of her work with a passion and enthusiasm that was infectious, sincere, and just plain fun to be around. She was 27 weeks pregnant when she died, and was expecting a baby girl, to be named Hazel. In addition to her love of natural resources, Kari was an accomplished rower. She and her husband Tom participated in countless activities together including swimming, surfing, softball, volleyball, birding, and gardening. Travel and food were also near and dear to Kari’s heart. Kari will be remembered as a passionate, strong, and joyful spirit whose life deeply touched all of those who worked with her.  She will be greatly missed.

Her parents, John and Ingrid Osterhaug, suggest that memorial donations may be made to the Nature Conservancy of Washington, 217 Pine Street, Suite 1100, Seattle, WA 98101.

Christina Rose Thoms

A memorial Mass was held at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (St. Mary's Cathedral) in Portland for Christina Rose Thoms, who died Oct. 4 at age 59.

Christina Skelton was born July 21, 1943, in Tacoma and moved to Portland as a child.  She graduated from Holy Child Academy and from Portland State College.  She was a biologist for the Army Corps of Engineers.  In 1967, she married Richard E.  Survivors include her husband; sons, Evan E. and Bryn E.; sister, Anna Thomas; and two grandchildren.

Remembrances may be made to:

Operation Nightwatch

522 SW 13^th, Portland, OR 97205

(503) 220-0438

Andrew John Castelle

Andy died September 21, 2002, surrounded by friends and family.  He battled cancer with unbelievable courage and dignity, defying the odds because of his unwavering desire to live life.  Always three steps ahead of everyone, Andy was known for his humor and quick wit.  He loved sports, gardening, and most of all he loved his wife and son.

Andy was born in Tarrytown, NY, on February 21, 1957.  He graduated from Suffern High School, Suffern, NY, in 1975; received his B.S. in Chemistry from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut in 1979; and a Master's degree in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Virginia in 1986.

He leaves behind his wife and son, Karin and Cooper in Seattle; his brothers Mike (Melanie, Matt, and James) and Gary (Tari).  He was the beloved son-in-law of Kristine Vittum (Brendan, Larrisa, Mary, and Gabe), Kirk and Joan Knapp, and Katie Hill (Jessie and Shane).  He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Cynthia Castelle.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude for the loving support from his co-workers at Adolfson Associates, Inc., his Wedgewood neighbors, Megan Miller and Don Merrell, his life-long friends John Carlough and Mike Sinclair, and countless other friends.  Remembrances may be made to a scholarship fund for Cooper Castelle in memory of Andrew Castelle at Washington Mutual Bank.