Stimson Bullitt 1919 ~2009 Charles Stimson "Stim" Bullitt died Sunday, April 19, at 89. His life and impressive accomplishments are embodied in the Latin motto: "Virtus et Veritas"---courage and truth. His influence and civic leadership helped transform Seattle, a city he loved. At the end he was sitting peacefully at his home overlooking the Sound and Olympics. Serious writer, lawyer, judge, broadcast executive, civil rights activist, outdoorsman, mountain climber, philanthropist, husband and father are all titles he carried. Bullitt was born in The Highlands to A. Scott Bullitt and Dorothy Stimson Bullitt in 1919. He rebelled against being defined by a life of privilege. At Yale in 1938 he became an unlikely boxing champion, often fighting tough young men from New Haven's inner city. During one college break he hopped freight cars riding with hobos back to Seattle. During WWII he served 4 years in the Navy, was wounded by shrapnel as a member of a volunteer landing party at Leyte and awarded the Purple Heart. He attended the University of Washington Law School becoming the 9th generation of Bullitts to enter the law. "Remember the public interest" was his watchword and he did so in many ways. He would write letters to a Seattle School Superintendent urging the hiring of a young black woman. He took a passionate and lonely stand against Japanese internment in 1942 writing dozens of letters to political leaders. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1952. Out of that race came a memorable, highly praised book, To Be a Politician. Arthur Schlesinger Jr. called it "brilliant" and "a political classic". Bullitt wrote two other books including his memoir River Bright and Dark. He was a serious man but one with a wonderful, self deprecating sense of humor. He created a storm of controversy in 1966 when he became the first major broadcaster to publicly oppose the Vietnam War. Bullitt was especially proud that his courageous social and political activism earned him a spot on Nixon's "Enemies List". He believed that journalism should serve a civic purpose. During ten years as President of KING Broadcasting Bullitt helped propel news coverage, creating what was widely considered one of the best local stations in the nation. He aggressively recruited minorities, placing many in on-air positions long before most other stations. In 1964 he founded Seattle Magazine which became a courageous voice for investigative and tough, insightful journalism. In the 1970's Bullitt took the helm of Harbor Properties and became a visionary, helping transform Seattle's Skid Road into an urban community. He oversaw construction of 1,300 residential units along First Avenue in developments that included affordable housing. Bullitt gave the city Harbor Steps---one of the rare places that connect downtown to the waterfront. He valued parks and open space, believing all citizens should enjoy a good quality of life. The outdoors and conservation were his lifelong passions. As a lawyer and philanthropist, environmental protection was a priority. Throughout his whole life he was a remarkably fit, skilled and fearless camper, skier and mountain climber. In the 1980's Bullitt successfully reached the summit of Alaska's Mt. McKinley with fellow climber and friend Shelby Scates, facing near whiteout conditions. Later he became "a legend among rock climbers" as friend Bill Sumner described him. He and his wife Tina Hollingsworth were active rock climbers well into Bullitt's 80's. He retained his passion for politics and public policy until the end. Bullitt wrote countless columns and articles including a 2002 piece warning against going to war with Iraq.