Charles Pilling, of "Pilling's Pond" fame died Wednesday at age 90. He
started digging the pond in 1925 at age 14. His obit from the Sat. Oct 27th
Seattle P-I follows. By the way, Licton Springs still exists, it's in
Licton Springs Park, just N of Pillings Pond.



Charles Albert PILLING 90, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2001 in
his Seattle home surrounded by his adoring family. Charles was born on
October 6, 1911 in Seattle, Washington, living his entire life on the
Pilling family property in the neighborhood now known as Licton Springs.
The property originally was home to a dairy farm operated by his parents
until its closure in 1933. He attended Oak Lake Elementary School and
graduated from Lincoln High School in 1931. On June 14, 1937, he wed his
beloved wife, June. Together they raised four children in their home next
door to the farmhouse in which he was born and where his granddaughter now
lives. Charles worked for Crescent Manufacturing Company from 1932-1942 and
in the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards as a civilian contractor during World War
II from 1942-1946. He then spent 28 years with the Texaco Oil company
driving tanker trucks from 1946 until his retirement in 1973. Charles is
universally recognized as one of the most successful wild waterfowl
breeders in the world. His fascination with ducks began at the young age of
12 when the family doctor gifted him three crippled mallard ducks which
were brought back from a hunting trip. He nursed the ducks back to health
and began to dig out the or igin of what would later become the locally
famed Piling's Pond when he was only 14. He dammed Licton Springs Creek to
fill his pond and continued to shape its design through the 1940's until it
became the wildlife sanctuary he had envisioned. At its peak, Pilling's
Pond was home to more than two hundred ducks, including over thirty
different species from around the world. Charles' contributions in breeding
waterfowl were groundbreaking. In 1955 he became the first person in the
world to successfully breed the Hooded Merganser in captivity. He was also
the first to breed the Bufflehead in 1964 and the Harlequin in 1977,
achievements which afforded him three First Breeder Awards from the Inter
national Wild Waterfowl Association. In 1990, he was the fourth person ever
to be inducted into IWWA'S Waterfowl Breeders Hall of Fame, an award that
he and his wife, June, traveled to Nova Scotia to accept. He also received
the Grand Master Breeder Award from the American Game Bird Breeders
Cooperative Federation. In addition, Charles donated a collection of his
ducks to the Woodland Park Zoo and was a consultant to the Zoo's Aviary. He
bred ducks for collectors and zoos throughout North America and Europe. He
was always willing to offer ad vice and share his ideas and methods with
those who shared his love for waterfowl. Charles was an active member of
many clubs and associations throughout his life, including the Texaco
Retirees and the Lincoln Alumni Group, and the Mantle Club. He also was a
long time member of the Audubon Society and the International Wild
Waterfowl Association. Charles enjoyed tennis, gardening, singing, dancing
with June, family vacations to Alta Lake and recounting stories of days
gone by. Over the years, Chuck, June, and their family also shared a
passion for camping, hunting, and raising Springer Spaniels. As avid health
enthusiast, he was adored and revered for his vast knowledge, kind spirit
and big heart. Charles is preceded in death by his parents, James and
Maryett Pilling, and his brothers, Frank and James. He leaves behind his
beloved wife June, with whom he enjoyed 64 blissful years of marriage. He
is also survived by his loving sister and cherished neighbor, Pearl (Polly)
West. Charles was the loving father of four surviving children, Denny
Pilling and wife Elva of Great Falls, Montana; James Pilling and wife Ruth
of Snohomish, Washington; Jerry Pilling and wife Joann of Wilbur,
Washington; Diane Barham and husband Dan of Grand Coulee, Washington. He
was also a cherished grand father, leaving 15 grandchildren and nine great
grandchildren who will forever remember their "Grandpa Duck". Rosary
Service will be held at Evergreen-Wa shelli Funeral Chapel, 11111 Aurora
Avenue North, Seattle, on Sunday, October 28 at 7 p.m. The Mass of
Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 29, at 11 a.m. at St.
Benedicts Catholic Church, 1805 North 49th, Seattle, with Interment to
follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made
to the Charles Pilling Memorial Fund, at 1612 North 90th Street, Seattle,
WA. 98103. Please sign an on-line memorial at www.evergreen- washelli.com



Cliff Drake
Seattle WA
cliffdrake at qwest.net