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. Please email notices to wabarnews@wsba.org.
OCTOBER 2026
Stephen Bergenholtz
#16217, 5/18/2026
Stephen Bergenholtz was born on June 4, 1952, in Hartford, Connecticut, to parents Robert and Alice Bergenholtz. He attended Syracuse University, earning a degree in English, and then George Washington University Law School. Bergenholtz started his legal career with the Air Force, then the Court of Federal Claims and the Department of Justice. In 1986, he accepted an offer with Boeing and moved to the Seattle area with his fiancée, Katy. Bergenholtz loved the Pacific Northwest. He joined the Mountaineers and became an avid hiker and ice climber, summitting Rainier, Olympus, Baker, Adams, and Glacier Peak and earning his “five majors” pin. Bergenholtz was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and in 2015, he took early retirement. In retirement, he developed new hobbies like playing pool, photography, and sports cars. Bergenholtz died on May 18, 2026, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his children, Lauren, Mark, and Claire; their mother, Katy; his grandson, Claude; and his siblings, Paula and Jim.
James Blundell Jr.
#18796, 7/25/2026
James Blundell Jr. was born on July 30, 1963, in San Rafael, California. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in 1985 and his law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1989. Blundell built his career in public service and telecom; he held positions at Western Wireless and T-Mobile. Outside of work, Blundell loved traveling, skiing, hiking, fly-fishing, and above all else, spending time with his family. He is described as kind, funny, thoughtful, and generous. Blundell died on July 25, 2026, after a diagnosis of glioblastoma. He is survived by his wife, Catherine; his children, Drew and Natalie; his mother, Meredith; his sisters, Sarah Gundersen and Martha Kesting; and many nieces and nephews.
Daniel Gibbons
#33036, 8/19/2026
Daniel Gibbons was born on June 15, 1975, in Anchorage, Alaska. He spent his early years in Olympia and then moved with his family to Spokane in 1983. Gibbons earned degrees in finance and accounting from Washington State University. While at WSU, he met his future wife, Carey Squires. Gibbons earned his law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law in 2000. He then took a clerkship for a federal judge at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Boise, Idaho. After his clerkship, Gibbons moved to Spokane and joined the firm Paine Hamblen, where he practiced until his death. Gibbons’ law career spanned more than 20 years, and he became a well-known figure in Spokane’s bankruptcy and municipal legal community. Gibbons served as president of the Federal Bar Association for the Eastern District of Washington, an advisory member of the Downtown Spokane Partnership Board, president and secretary of Spokane Youth Lacrosse, and a board member of Children FIRST. Gibbons is described as dependable, conservative, and quietly persistent. He loved spending time with his wife and two children and rooting for WSU football. Gibbons died unexpectedly on Aug. 19, 2026, at the age of 51. He is survived by his wife, Carey; his children, Andrew and Reagan; his parents, Jeff and Patty; and his sister, Kate.
Arthur Kearney
#3764, 8/17/2026
Arthur Kearney was born on Aug. 22, 1935, in Seattle to parents Arther Schafer and Geraldine Kearney. He attended O’Dea High School, where he played basketball alongside NBA legend Elgin Baylor. Kearney was recruited to play quarterback by the University of Washington, where he played football and joined the ROTC. Kearney joined the Air Force as a fighter pilot and was stationed in Portland; Goose Bay, Labrador; and other locations around the world. On Sept. 23, 1961, he went on a blind date with his future wife, Sally, who was an American Airlines flight attendant. The couple were engaged after three dates and were married for 64 years. Kearney earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law and then moved back to the Seattle area, where he started his own practice. Kearney’s daughter later joined his firm. Outside of work, Kearney loved watching his sons play football and spending time at the family’s property in Maui. Kearney is described as unconditionally loving. He died on Aug. 17, 2026, and is survived by his wife, Sally; their children, Colleen, Sean, and Kevin; and his grandchildren.
Thomas Meyer
#5739, 6/17/2026
Thomas Meyer was born on Jan. 28, 1949. He grew up in Olympia with his parents, Ernest and Barbara Meyer. He earned his undergraduate degree from Seattle University and his law degree from the Gonzaga University School of Law. Meyer went on to practice law in Thurston County for more than 50 years, representing clients in district, municipal, and Tribal courts. Meyer worked for several Tribes at different times as judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney. From 1992 until his death, Meyer served as the judge of the Yelm Municipal Court. Outside of work, Meyer loved being outdoors, splitting wood, fishing, cycling, walking his dog, and spending time with friends and family. He also enjoyed fantasy football, having joined the inaugural season of the Quillian Football League in 1983 with founder and fellow attorney Robert Quillian. Meyer died on June 17, 2026, at the age of 77. He is predeceased by his brother, Stephen, and his foster brother, Charlie. He is survived by his brothers, John, Paul, James, Edward, Martin, and Sam; many nieces and nephews; his former spouse and longtime friend, Mei Li Chan; and her children, Jonathan and Justina.
G. Kenneth O’Mhuan
#884, 7/15/2026
G. Kenneth O’Mhuan was born on July 20, 1943, in Spokane to parents Louis and Cleta Mooney. O’Mhuan earned his J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law and went on to practice law in Western Washington. In his later years, O’Mhuan moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, to be closer to his daughter and her family. He is described as a lifelong learner and a spiritual seeker, good-naturedly stubborn, quirky, and fundamentally kind. He loved his family and friends, Gonzaga basketball, words and ideas, and animals. O’Mhuan died on July 15, 2026. He is survived by his daughter, Heather O’Maonaigh; his grandchildren, Gus and Ginger; his brother, Chris Mooney; and many other family members and friends.
Daniel O’Rourke
#33783, 6/22/2026
Daniel O’Rourke was born on Feb. 17, 1972. He grew up in Burien and attended the University of Washington and Arizona State University Law School. O’Rourke practiced real estate law in south King County for 23 years. Outside of work, he loved snowboarding, golfing, singing karaoke, and telling stories. O’Rourke died on June 22, 2026. He is survived by his mother, Nenita O’Rourke; his life partner, Jessica Morris; his five siblings; and many nieces and nephews.
Jerome Johnson
#4202, 8/9/2026
Jerome Johnson was born in Seattle on June 9, 1933, to parents Ofell and Alice Johnson. He attended the University of Washington and the University of Washington School of Law. Johnson loved sports and played basketball at Roosevelt High School and at UW. Johnson married Susannah Lynch Johnson in 1958, and the couple moved to Washington, D.C., where Johnson worked as an attorney for the Chief Counsel’s Office of the IRS. In 1962, the couple returned to Seattle, where Johnson joined a private practice and later became a King County Superior Court judge in 1972. He served in that position until he retired in 1993. In retirement, Johnson enjoyed spending time on Hood Canal, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, volunteering at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and engaging in deep conversations. He also took up tap dancing and teaching law. Johnson died on Aug. 9, 2026, at age 93. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sue; their children, Laurie Kelly, Evan Johnson, and Tyler Johnson; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Kenneth Rice
#4973, 8/16/2026
Kenneth Rice was admitted to the WSBA in 1973. He practiced law at the firm Oberman & Rice in Kennewick. Rice died on Aug. 16, 2026.
David Richdale
#3808, 7/24/2026
David Richdale was born on Sept. 16, 1937. He grew up in Seattle and attended the University of Washington, earning undergraduate and law degrees. Richdale started a law firm with Mike Hoff, and the practice eventually grew to Treece, Richdale, Malone, Corning and Abbott. Richdale practiced law in the Ballard of Seattle for nearly 45 years. Outside of work, he loved boating, fishing, skiing, wood working, singing, and throwing great parties. He is described as generous, kind, and intelligent. Richdale died on July 24, 2026, and is survived by his wife of 45 years, Pamela; their children, Victoria, David, Shannon, and Peter; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Paul Taylor
#13945, 3/16/2026
Paul Taylor was born in 1950 and grew up on Samish Island. He attended Burlington-Edison High School, where he was a three-sport athlete and a Hall of Fame inductee. Taylor then attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and went on to serve in the U.S. military for nearly 30 years. He retired as a colonel. Taylor earned his J.D. from Arizona State University. Throughout his legal career, he served as an Air Force Judge Advocate (JAG) and practiced law in Skagit County. He is described as quick-witted and professionally dedicated, and a loving friend and family member. Taylor died on March 16, 2026, after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Lucy Taylor; his former wife, Carol Taylor; his daughters, Jennifer and Kat; and many friends.