Obituary of Frank J. Warnke

Former State Senator, Union Organizer, and Lobbyist Frank J. Warnke May 18, 1933 – September 23, 2011 Former Washington State Senator Frank J. Warnke 78, died at his Auburn home on September 23, 2011. His wife Beverly was by his side at the time of his passing. During Frank’s life and career, he became one of the most prominent advocates for employee rights as a union organizer; was a state lawmaker with 20 years of service and was highly respected for his political and legislative acumen. Mr. Warnke was born in Harlem, Montana on May 18, 1933, moving with his family to the Auburn area during his school years. He attended Auburn High School, Central Washington University and the University of Washington, majoring in political science. He served in the Coast Guard and was stationed in Ketchikan, Alaska on the US Coast Guard Cutter Kimbal. Warnke worked for Boeing for 10 years and while employed there he became involved in state politics. Frank J. Warnke, a Democrat, was first elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in 1964. He served one term, then was elected again in 1972 and served in the House until 1982, when he won election to the Senate. In 1967 Warnke was hired by Public School Employees of Washington (PSE) as one of the organization’s first two paid employees. By 1970, Mr. Warnke was the PSE field director and in 1974 he was made the first executive director, a position he held until he retired from the organization in 1991. During this time he spent many hours traversing the state, speaking to classified employees and growing the union into an organization from 633 members to 5,000 with 100 chapters. He was an advocate for employee’s rights and helped spearhead the Public Employee’s Collective Bargaining Act, which helped PSE and other Washington unions negotiate for benefits like sick time and post-retirement. Warnke was known as a tough negotiator but one who always left with a handshake. Warnke, represented two different South King County districts in the Washington State House and Senate for 20 years as a legislator. He represented the 30th District in the House of Representatives for 6 terms and after redistricting, he then served two terms in the Senate from the 31st District from 1983 to 1991. During his tenure in the state Senate he was Chairman of the Labor and Commerce Committee and was later Democratic Caucus Chairman. Following his retirement from the Senate, he continued working in Olympia building a successful public relations firm. Warnke’s career involved working with 8 Washington State Governors, including Albert Rosellini, Dan Evans, Dixy Lee Ray, John Spellman, Booth Gardner, Mike Lowry, Gary Locke and Christine Gregoire, and Lt. Governors John Cherberg, Joel Pritchard and Brad Owen. During his service as a legislator, Warnke was instrumental in many projects for the state, including formation of the Auburn Game Farm Park. His lifelong love of fishing prompted him to host an annual salmon fishing derby in Ilwaco and also make annual trips with family and friends to Lake Quesnel in Canada, to fish for rainbow trout. Warnke met his wife Beverly in Auburn, Washington and the couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in July 2011. A graveside service was held on Sept 27, in which Warnke was honored by a Color Guard from the Coast Guard for his years in the service, who presented his family with a National flag, and with a Color Guard from the State Patrol, representing his years in the legislature, and who presented the family with a flag of Washington State. His friends and family praised his loyalty, his fairness, friendship and love of family, and his concern for the working man as qualities which inspired them. Warnke is survived by his wife Beverly, their daughter Karla Flygare (along with her husband Roger and their son Ehren - and Ehren's wife Ashley); and their son Kurtis (along with his wife Tamara and Kurtis' son, Ryon Warnke) and great-grandchildren McKenzie, Gavin and Matthew. He also leaves behind two sisters, Laura Bade and Jean Smith, one brother Edward McMeel, a nephew Craig Warnke and his wife Nary, along with several aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends, and colleagues, who played very important roles in his life. A loyal friend and colleague, Warnke touched many lives The family has organized a memorial service to celebrate & honor Frank’s life and his outstanding contributions to the state on Thursday, November 10th, at the State Capitol Legislative Building in the Rotunda. The memorial will begin at 11:30 AM followed by a reception in the Columbia Room. Family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances of Frank’s are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Frank J. Warnke Memorial Fund, which will be used to fund scholarships and internships.