While George Weyerhaeuser rarely talked about the ordeal in the years that followed and long maintained that it didnt leave him scarred Johnston believes it influenced his view on life. What followed, according to Johnston, is a tale more captivating than fiction. SEATTLE , June 14, 2022 / PRNewswire / -- Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of George H. Weyerhaeuser Sr., long-time former leader and great-grandson of founder Frederick Weyerhaeuser. George Weyerhaeuser Sr., great-grandson of the companys founder Frederick Weyerhaeuser, died on June 11. In May 1935, when George Weyerhaeuser was 8, his grandfather John P. Weyerhaeuser Sr. died. .css-16c7pto-SnippetSignInLink{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;cursor:pointer;}Sign In, Copyright 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I dont believe there is any substitute for having been there and done that, he said in a 2000 TDN article. Jackie and I offer our sympathy and prayers to a special family. In 1935, 9-year-old George Weyerhaeuser was kidnapped near his home in Tacoma. Find George Weyerhaeuser obituaries and memorials at Legacy.com. from 8 AM - 9 PM ET. While Mr. Weyerhaeuser worked his way upward to one of the timber companys most senior positions, he was never overtly ambitious, said his friend. Please allow 24 hours for your entry to be reviewed for appropriate content. Matthew 5:4, Share to let others add their own memories and condolences. He was 95. But slowing profits in other sectors and rising interest rates are warning signs. John Larson, director of Polson Museum,. Mr. Weyerhaeuser is survived by his wife, Kathy McGoldrick; sons Walker and Corydon; his father, George Weyerhaeuser; and his mother, Wendy. Jim Keller, a former Weyerhaeuser senior executive and a close He represented the company and the timber industry on many boards. George Weyerhaeuser, whose father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather all headed the Federal Way timber products company bearing their surname, has died. He never tried to be the center of attention. Dad It didnt affect me personally as much as anyone looking back on it might think.. friend, said Mr. Weyerhaeuser was a people person. William Dainard, then 33, was sentenced to 60 years in prison; Harmon Metz Waley, then 23, was sentenced to 45 years in prison; and Margaret Eldora Thulin, then 19, was sentenced to 20 years. We are sad to announce that on June 11, 2022 we had to say goodbye to George H. Weyerhaeuser of Lakewood, Washington. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. For more information contact:Analysts Andy Taylor, 206-539-3907Media Nancy Thompson, 919-861-0342, Cision Distribution 888-776-0942 George Weyerhaeuser went on to graduate from Yale University, and held various roles at the company until he was named CEO and president in 1966 until 1991. WA Lottery reveals Auburn woman as winner of $754.6 million Powerball jackpot, Ladies of Laughter Funny & Fabulous Tour takes the stage at Federal Way PAEC, Town hall will focus on Federal Ways future development, DOH awards $5.5M to improve Puget Sound shellfish habitats, Shoreline man sentenced for vehicular homicide. I think we have all benefited from his understanding and commitment, said Meyer. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. He oversaw significant growth of the company, including a number of major timberland acquisitions, and had an enduring impact on the evolution of forest management at Weyerhaeuser and across the industry. It was a huge story, on the front pages of all the major newspapers, Baarsma said. Broke down and cried, Seahawks accomplish 1 of their combine goals: Get the NFL thinking theyd take a QB at 5, Arrest warrant issued for Tacoma woman with TB. George Hunt Walker Weyerhaeuser was born July 8, 1926, in Seattle, to Helen (Walker) Weyerhaeuser and John Philip Weyerhaeuser Jr., grandson of company co-founder Frederick Weyerhaeuser, according to his obituary. In Tacomas history, thats probably the biggest story, Baarsma said this week, noting that the crime and subsequent trial brought reporters from around the world to the City of Destiny. George Weyerhaeuser presented the company he led as a responsible steward of timberlands. TACOMA George Weyerhaeuser Jr., scion of the family that founded the Federal Way-based timber-products company that bears his name and a Tacoma civic and business leader in his own right, has died. Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WY. For more information contact:Analysts Andy Taylor, 206-539-3907Media Nancy Thompson, 919-861-0342. Former Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma said Mr. Weyerhaeuser was a civic force. At 11:45 on Friday morning. While memories of the crime that put Tacoma in the worldwide spotlight might have faded since then, Baarsma said, the impact was lasting, and in the years that directly followed the ordeal remained top of mind for many Tacoma residents. Billed as a glimpse into Teslas future, Investor Day was used as an opportunity to spotlight the companys leadership bench. King County wants to know, Unity and Perseverance forum spotlights Rentons Black community, history, Federal Way likely to abandon plan to remove 9 acres of park land, Robbery suspects nearly collide with train while fleeing Auburn police | Video, 1 dead, 1 injured after Saturday shooting near Federal Way bar, Legislation seeks to strenghten Washingtons abortion laws, Robbery suspect ends up hiding in a tree | Podcast, New affordable housing development coming near Star Lake, Son kills mom; double homicide at motel; carjackers caught | Podcast, Male pedestrian killed Jan. 16 in Federal Way identified. Edit Search New Search Filters (1) To get better results, add more information such as Birth Info, Death Info and Locationeven a guess will help. Mr. Weyerhaeuser joined the company in Dierks, Ark., in 1978 and served there in various capacities including forester and contract logger administrator before becoming sawmill supervisor in 1980. Mr. Weyerhaeusers great-great grandfather was Frederick Weyerhaeuser, one of the company founders. The couple implicated a third kidnapper, William Mahan real name was William Dainard, according to HistoryLink.org, and considered the brains of the operation who was captured the following year. Share George's life story with friends and family. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact The Biden administration is preparing a new program that could prohibit American investment in certain sectors in China, a step to guard U.S. technological advantages amid a growing competition between the worlds two largest economies. He was a great forward thinker, said Keller. You have permission to edit this article. George Weyerhaeuser, Child-Kidnapping Victim, Survived to Lead Forestry Giant - WSJ Print Edition Latin America U.S. What's News Podcast Central Banking Private Equity NBA Tennis Soccer Jason. I think that incident forced him to reckon with who he really was at a very young age, and he realized how he could get through it, Leilee Weyerhaeuser said Monday. George Hunt Walker Weyerhaeuser was born on July 8, 1926. George Weyerhaeuser was released along a road in Issaquah, found his way to a nearby farmhouse, and was then taken back to his familys home in Tacoma. These changes included advances in sustainable, high-yield forestry and wood products research, expansion into overseas markets, and many other achievements. Challenges that would be discouraging to some people, he would be looking for the way to go into the future and have it be better, she said. The Weyerhaeuser family is planning a memorial service for later this summer. It was his obituary, which detailed the family's timber wealth, that reportedly inspired the kidnapping plot by William Dainard, 33, Harmon Metz Waley, 23, and Margaret Eldora Thulin, 19. Each marker, according to Johnston, revealed a new set of instructions, eventually leading to a drop spot for the cash. For better and (often) worse, Tacoma has taken no shortage of strange, sometimes tragic turns in the national spotlight. U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current. Unlike many heirs, Weyerhaeuser joined the ranks at the beginning of his career, working at the Longview kraft mill in 1949 and 1950, according to TDN archives. I suspect thats right, Johnston said. The last member of the founding family to lead the company, Weyerhaeuser was named CEO in 1966 when he was 39. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Tacomas Museum of Glass or to Charles Wright Academy, from which he and his sons graduated. FBI agents had compiled the serial numbers of the 20,000 bills included in the ransom money, according to the site, and before long they began to surface. George Weyerhaeuser Sr., attended the opening of Longview's Japanese Garden and the bridge to the island in 2003. In 1935, an 8-year-old George Weyerhaeuser first made headlines when he was kidnapped in Tacoma and held for ransom. Thats what attracted the 59-year-old author to the story. In his 30-year career at the company, Mr. Weyerhaeuser served in several executive positions including vice president for containerboard and vice president of manufacturing for the companys pulp and paper business. George was an extraordinary person and leader one of the most influential in the history of the industry, said Devin Stockfish, president and chief executive officer. 1 Pullman in State semifinals, Kelso man dies weeks after Lewis River Road accident, Cowlitz County Jail sees more serious suspected offenders, fights in 2023, High School Boys Basketball State Preview: Mark Morris, R.A. Long could play for a State championship, NORPAC, WestRock, Castle Rock developers talk updates, High School Boys Basketball History: Kobe Parlin sets all-time scoring record for Mark Morris in State quarterfinal win, Renewable fuel faces uncertain future in northern Oregon, Pacific Northwest, 2A High School Boys Basketball: R.A. Long kicks off revenge tour at State with win over West Valley, Oregon counties want state Supreme Court ruling on timber harvest reinstated, Revisiting Weyerhaeuser's influence in Longview as woodworkers go on strike. https://www.wsj.com/articles/george-weyerhaeuser-child-kidnapping-victim-survived-to-lead-forestry-giant-11655474416. Weyerhaeuser also questioned the industrys growing focus on Wall Street, share price and short-term results, which he saw as ill-suited in a business whose products took decades to mature. We are also one of the largest manufacturers ofwood productsin America. George was an extraordinary person and leader one of the most influential in the history of the industry, said Devin Stockfish, president and chief executive officer, in a press release. An Auburn woman has won the $754.6 million Powerball jackpot. As a little boy, trying to face that kind of media presence was really difficult.. He said, Nope. Pretty point blank, Johnston told The News Tribune, noting the intense media frenzy that followed his release, which included a reporter from the Times weaseling an interview scoop from the 9-year-old on his way back to Tacoma. Include your name, He was also heavily involved in the design of the companys 425-acre corporate campus in Federal Way, which opened in 1971 to international acclaim as one of the first suburban headquarters. He was 95. The company has been scrutinized over fake reviews and criticized by customers who had trouble getting refunds. The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens eruption flattened 68,000 acres of timber land and forced a massive salvage operation. In 1948, George Weyerhaeuser married Wendy Wagner, whose family had been in the timber business, and the couple had six children: Leilee, George Jr., Sue, Phyllis, David and Merrill. It was a typical springtime day on May 24, 1935, when . Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. It was the week he spent in captivity as a young boy, however, that made Weyerhaeuser a household name. Just know that I care. Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. In May 1935, when George Weyerhaeuser was 8, his grandfather John P. Weyerhaeuser Sr. died. In 2021, we generated $10.2 billion in net sales and employed approximately 9,200 people who serve customers worldwide. George Weyerhaeuser Sr., great-grandson of the companys founder Frederick Weyerhaeuser, died on June 11. Percy Minnie.. He went on to say the Weyerhaeuser Company cut down the construction cost so the facility could be constructed within the limited budget available. I mean, they sent over a reporter from the London Times to cover the trial, Johnston said. We manage these timberlands on asustainablebasis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards. He also served as Board chairman through 1999. George Weyerhaeuser Sr. dies at 95 Great-grandson of the company's founder Frederick Weyerhaeuser, died on June 11. by Sarah Fox Wednesday, June 15, 2022 2:18pm Northwest George Weyerhaeuser Sr., former Weyerhaeuser Company CEO and president and great-grandson of the company's founder Frederick Weyerhaeuser, died June 11 at the age of 95. He left a tremendous legacy and will be greatly missed by everyone in the greater Weyerhaeuser family and community, he said. hope you enjoy your visit. George Weyerhaeuser Sr., leaves legacy in Longview, on industry after death. Meanwhile, the captors escaped with the money, at least for the moment. HIs parents were Helen Walker Weyerhaeuser and J.P. (Phil) Weyerhaeuser Jr.. During the early years of his life, the family lived in Idaho, and then moved to Tacoma in 1933. When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type. By the mid-1920s, the company operated 22 mills, a lumber distribution center and a steamship company. Weyerhaeuser served as president and CEO from 1966 to 1991 and continued to serve as Board chairman through 1999. It was a preventable tragedy | Opinion. our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. Moments later, the car sped off, and Weyerhaeuser hitched a ride back to Tacoma. And a comprehensive remaking of states approach to drug possession advances toward action in the Senate. Plant a tree to honor the memory of your loved one. Although I never actually met George, I always admired and respected what I knew to be his "reach" and positive impact in our community. In the process, the shockingly brazen crime and Wererhaeusers safe return all of which followed on the heels of the Lindbergh kidnapping helped put Tacoma on the map. These changes included advances in sustainable, high-yield forestry and wood products research, expansion into overseas markets, and many other achievements. George was an extraordinary person and leader one of the most influential in the history of the industry, said Devin Stockfish, president and chief executive officer. In the last 100 years no one has had more influence on the shaping of South King County than George Weyerhaeuser, said Peter von Reichbauer, a King County councilman who represents Federal Way. His sons captors gave him a second chance the following evening, and on Thursday, May 30, 1935 in the woods near Angle Lake he left the money in the front seat of his running car and walked away. COURTESY PHOTO, Weyerhaeuser. In 1966, at age 39, he became chief executive officer and president. He was a coach, a cheerleader and mentor to all of us. The Weyerhaeuser family is planning a memorial service which will take place later this summer. In May 1935, when George Weyerhaeuser was 8, his grandfather John P. Weyerhaeuser Sr. died. A blessing came to us when I worked under George's leadership on the construction of the Weyerhaeuser Corporate Office project. It was designed by architect Charles Bassett of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; landscape architect Peter Walker; and George Weyerhaeuser. He served in the Navy in World War II and, after graduating from Yale University, continued working his way up through the timber business. Our company is a real estate investment trust. So many of these copycat kidnappings after the Lindbergh kidnapping did not turn out well, and this one did. The company said he oversaw a great amount of growth of the company which included several major timberland acquisitions. Margaret Waley went to trial at the insistence of the judge, since it appeared the 19-year-old had no real involvement in the crime and never saw George Weyerhaeuser during his captivity and eventually received a sentence of 20 years. George Hunt Weyerhaeuser in Evening Star - July 11 1948 George Hunt Weyerhaeuser in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - July 12 1948 George Hunt Weyerhaeuser in Ellensburg Daily Record - July 7 1948 George Hunt Weyerhaeuser in Ellensburg Daily Record - July 12 1948 George Hunt Weyerhaeuser in Spokane Chronicle - July 12 1948 I think thats an important part of the story as well.. Once the money had been gathered, Georges father was instructed to run a personal ad in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that read, We are ready. Meyer served with Mr. Weyerhaeuser for a decade when Meyer was executive director of the Foss Waterway Development Authority and Mr. Weyerhaeuser was a board member. By the 1990s, Weyerhaeuser operations in the Pacific Northwest were producing twice the timber volumes of their natural counterparts, according to a 1997 report by the World Resources Institute. Thats another thing that made the story so big, Baarsma said. He left a tremendous legacy and will be greatly missed by everyone in the greater Weyerhaeuser family and community.". He can adjust himself to conditions in a way no adult could. In a June 14 news release by the Weyerhaeuser Company one of Americas largest forestry firms founded by Weyerhaeusers great-grandfather the company addressed Weyerhaeusers passing. These videos are a trip back in time, $754.6 million Powerball winner identified as Washington woman. There was a problem saving your notification. When one of the kidnappers was released from prison, George Weyerhaeuser hired the man. He was 59. The company has century-long roots in Longview. William Dainard, then 33, was sentenced to 60 years in prison; Harmon Metz Waley, then 23, was sentenced to 45 years in prison; and Margaret Eldora Thulin, then 19, was sentenced to 20 years. As the ransom letter instructed, when they had the cash, the Weyerhaeusers placed a personal ad in the Seattle PI, communicating, We are ready, and signed using the code name, Percy Minnie. John Weyerhaeuser soon received a set of instructions from his sons abductors, which included taking the money into the woods in the dead of night and looking for a series of stakes driven into the ground marked with white cloths. Harmon Waley pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 45 years in prison. I think I actually managed to go to sleep part of the way, he said later in .css-1h1us5y-StyledLink{color:var(--interactive-text-color);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1h1us5y-StyledLink:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}an oral history. As Paul Roberts of the Seattle Times wrote in a lengthy and fitting obituary, not only did Weyerhaeuser spend nearly six decades working for the timber company that bears the familys name including nearly 30 years as CEO he made numerous valuable civic contributions across the region during his long life. George Weyerhaeuser Sr. The kidnappers drove George to a secluded woods and put him in a freshly dug pit where he was held in handcuffs. The company said he oversaw a great amount of growth of the company which included several major timberland acquisitions. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Weyerhaeuser was soon taken into the woods near Issaquah and chained up, while his kidnappers sent off a ransom letter, signed by George Weyerhaeuser in schoolboy cursive for authenticity, demanding $200,000 in small, unmarked bills. Leave condolences in the Guest Book, send sympathy flowers, and pay respect to your loved one. In my opinion, its the most fascinating crime story in Washington state history, by an absolute mile, said Bryan Johnston, who published a book on the ordeal just last year. In 1971, George Weyerhaeuser moved the companys headquarters to Federal Way, a city which was shaped by his vision. Learn more atwww.weyerhaeuser.com. His kidnappers were eventually caught and found guilty. George Weyerhaeuser July 8, 1926 - June 11, 2022 Lakewood, Washington - George H. W. Weyerhaeuser Sr. 1926-2022 It is very challenging to write the summation of a long and deeply fulfilling life. During his tenure, the company launched several major initiatives. I am sorry for your loss. Republicans are right: Solving homelessness in WA requires more than housing | Opinion, He was in crisis when a Pierce County deputy shot him. Weyerhaeuser wasnt entirely satisfied with the direction of the company or the industry after he stepped down. It brought great responsibility, and he carried it out, said Keller. To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/.