This In Remembrance section lists WSBA members by Bar number and date of death. The list is not complete and contains only those notices of which the WSBA has learned through correspondence from members. When available, obituaries are linked below.
Please email notices and requests to link obituaries to wabarnews@wsba.org.
Brian L. Comstock,
#184, 11/15/2024*
James Krider,
#1398, 9/19/2024
Todd Maiden,
#14922, 9/16/2024
Bryan Poehler,
#12252, 9/14/2024
John Franklin Sherwood (Sr.),
#2948, 9/24/2024
Eugene Amandus Studer,
#20175, 11/1/2024
Molly Wagner,
#50210, 7/30/2024
*The WSBA learned of Brian Comstock’s passing just before this issue went to press. Look for his longer obituary in a future issue of Bar News.
Nancy Koptur
#14412, 10/28/2024
Nancy Koptur was born March 23, 1958. She grew up in Detroit and later moved to Seattle and then Olympia, where she worked as a staff attorney in the Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Child Support, for over 30 years. She served as the Division of Child Support’s legislative and rules coordinator and was described as the “go-to” attorney for all things related to child support. Koptur was passionate about serving her community—she did extensive family law pro bono work and volunteered with literacy programs, women’s shelters, and legal clinics. In 2020, she received the WSBA’s Angelo Petruss APEX Award for Lawyers in Government Service. The award is given to a lawyer in government service who has made a significant contribution to the legal profession, the justice system, and the public. Koptur was also very involved in the WSBA Family Law Section, where she served as an executive committee member and chair and a frequent list serve contributor. Koptur was described as a unique and extremely generous person, as having flamboyant style and a great sense of humor. She loved the theater and volunteered with several local theater groups. Koptur is survived by her Seattle family, her sisters in Florida and Michigan, and many friends.
Justin Lowe Quackenbush
#670, 10/27/2024
Justin Lowe Quackenbush was born in October 1929 in Spokane. He attended North Central High School and played four sports, including golf, which became a lifelong passion. He once worked as a caddy for U.S Open champion Olin Dutra during a PGA championship in Spokane. After high school, Quackenbush enlisted in the U.S. Navy officer training program, first at the University of Illinois and then at the University of Idaho. After graduation, he served during the Korean War aboard the Navy destroyer U.S.S. Arnold J. Isbell. While in the Navy, Quackenbush married fellow University of Idaho grad Polly Packenham, and the couple went on to have three children. After concluding his military service, Quackenbush earned his law degree at Gonzaga University. Quackenbush first worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney for Spokane County, and then in 1960, he formed the law firm of Quackenbush, Dean, Bailey, and Henderson. Quackenbush practiced at the firm until 1980, when he was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve as a U.S. District Court judge for Eastern Washington. Quackenbush went on to serve for other district and circuit courts and achieved senior federal judge status in 1995. Quackenbush also served as a member and later master of Masonic Lodge #272, chair of the Spokane County Planning Commission, and an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University School of Law. Gonzaga’s law school honored him by creating the Quackenbush Lecture Series, which continues through a family endowment. Quackenbush is survived by his second wife, Marie; his children, Karl, Robert, and Kathy; his stepchildren, Frayne and Mark; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many other friends and family members.