SEFS remembers UW alumna and long-time SEFS supporter Mary Ellen Denman

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Mary Ellen Moody Denman passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 94 years old. Alongside her husband William “Dick” Denman, who passed in 2007, the Denman’s were significant contributors to the SEFS faculty and have left a lasting legacy in the form of three faculty endowments and a student excellence fund.

Mary Ellen and Dick Denman in Palm Desert celebrating the College of Forest Resource's 100th Anniversary with President Emmert in 2007.
Mary Ellen and Dick Denman in Palm Desert celebrating the College of Forest Resource’s 100th Anniversary with President Emmert in 2007.

Mary Ellen and Dick Denman were University of Washington alumni and gave over $3.2 million to the school over their lifetimes. As part owners of the Port Townsend Paper Company, the Denmans were supporters of the College of Forest Resources (now the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences) and remained an active part of the SEFS community. The Denmans were honored on the Washington Pulp and Paper Foundation Wall of Fame in 2001 for their contributions.

Mary Ellen was born in Everett, Washington in 1929. She graduated from the University of Washington in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics. Active in hospital and university volunteer work, she also enjoyed fishing and golf. Mary Ellen’s father, Anson Moody of Everett, WA, was a pioneer in the pulp and paper industry.

W. Richard Denman was born in 1927 in New York City. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1950 with a degree in Chemistry. He graduated from the Advanced Management Program at Harvard in 1969. Mr. Denman continued to be active in the pulp and paper industry after retirement.

The Denmans are survived by three children: Robert Anson Denman (’82 MS in forest hydrology, College of Forest Resources); William R. Denman III (attended the UW for three years); and Diane Denman Moxness (’76 BA, Business Administration and ’79 MBA, Finance).

This page will be updated with memorial information when we receive it.

SEFS remembers Emeritus professor Dr. Bruce Lippke

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Bruce LippkeSEFS Emeritus professor, mentor, and friend Bruce Lippke passed away on Tuesday, February 14th. He left peacefully surrounded by his family at 89 years old.

Bruce was a long-time researcher on the role of wood products in economic and environmental sustainability. He joined the College of Forest Resources faculty in 1990 and retired from SEFS as an Emeritus professor in 2009. He brought to CFR/SEFS over three decades of experience in economic forecasting, environmental assessment, and management consulting to his research on the sustainable management of forests and the uses and lifecycle of wood products and biofuels.

Bruce was one of the founders and went on to serve as president of the Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM), a non-profit consortium of 17 research organizations aimed at quantifying and understanding the environmental performance of wood and the environmental impacts of forests and forest products. Beginning in 2000, served as Director of the Rural Technology Initiative, an award-winning partnership between the University of Washington, Washington State University, and the USDA Forest Service that worked to bring emerging technologies to rural forest resource-based communities and assist small forest owners with managing their lands more productively under complex regulations.

Bruce is remembered for his thoughtful, engaging, and generous demeanor, as well as his ability to build community among his peers, students, and friends. His lasting contributions as a mentor, colleague, friend, and researcher will not be forgotten.

A memorial page was set up to celebrate and honor Bruce’s life and accomplishments. Please visit the page to read and share stories and memories of Bruce.

Colleagues, family, and friends of Bruce Lippke are hosting a celebration of his life, his career, and his contributions to his varied fields of enquiry on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the University of Washington Botanic Garden’s Wisteria Hall. Wisteria Hall is located in the Washington Park Arboretum. The doors will open about 5 P.M. and the celebratory program will kick off about 6 P.M.. Light appetizers will be offered as will opportunity to mingle with old and new friends, share a story about Bruce, and become (re)inspired by his life’s work.