Beloved Seattle historian Walt Crowley dies

Local historian and journalist Walt Crowley died at the age of 59 on Friday night after succumbing to complications from cancer surgery. He is said to have been peaceful and surrounded by loved ones at the time of his death.

Crowley , who co-founded HistoryLink.org, the online encyclopedia of Washington state history, was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in July 2005 after suffering years of chronic throat problems.

Talk about serving the community.

Walt Crowley was one of those rare people who not only "served the community" but also served Seattle's sense of community.

This city has a reputation for being chilly, socially. We very often tear down meaningful things in order to put up meaningless crap that fakes the look of what was torn down. Being a young city, it is very difficult for residents here (nearly half of them originally from somewhere else - like me) to grasp any sense of history.

Walt Crowley taught us our history. He worked to preserve it and, as a result, truly served Seattle's sense of community.

His life reads like a how-to guide to living an outwardly-projected life. He did what was best for others without seeking the praise for his triumphs.

I urge everyone who lurks here to click on the link and read the obit article.

It is a grayer morning in Seattle for the loss of Walt Crowley.