Past First Citizens gather to honor Bill & Jill Ruckelshaus

Approximately 100 people gathered at Sand Point Country Club for a luncheon to celebrate 2017 Seattle-King County First Citizen Award honorees, Bill and Jill Ruckelshaus. Bill and Jill are the 79th recipients of the prestigious award and the eighth couple to be saluted for their inspiring leadership and contributions to the area’s quality of life.

Last year’s honoree, Phyllis Campbell, said the duo “have always been about the greater good, making our lives better for both current and future generations. Their imprint has been in so many places in our community and in our nation, whether it is business, politics, the environment or education,” added Campbell, the chairman, Pacific Northwest, for JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Seattle King County REALTORS®, John L. Scott Real Estate, and Windermere Real Estate were pleased to welcome Bill and Jill Ruckelshaus and three of their five children, eight past First Citizens, the event planning committee, two of this year’s scholarship recipients, and REALTOR® members, friends and families to the event.

Gerald “Jerry” Grinstein, friend and neighbor of Bill and Jill, led with congratulatory remarks that were insightful, inspiring, and amusing. Those in attendance also heard remarks from past First Citizens including Mimi Gates, Herb Bridge, Dan and Nancy Evans, Bruce McCaw, Jeffrey Brotman, James and Sherry Raisebeck, Slade Gorton, and Norman Rice. Emcee of the event, Russ Hokanson, read aloud touching remarks from Ted Baseler who was unable to attend due to the birth of his grandchild.

Sam DeBord, 2017 Seattle King County REALTORS® President, presented Bill and Jill Ruckelshaus with their First Citizen medallions and the 79th First Citizen plaque.