Herb Bridge, 63rd recipient of the Seattle-King County First Citizen Award, passes

Herb Bridge and partner Edie Hilliard show their support for the 73rd recipients of the First Citizen Award, Jamie and Karen Moyer, in 2011. “Herb always wore that medal,” said REALTOR® Roni Strupat. “He was very proud of it.”

Seattle King County REALTORS® is saddened at the passing of Seattle business and civic leader Herb Bridge on April 2. Known as “Mr. Downtown,” Bridge was the 63^rd recipient of the Seattle King County First Citizen Award, given in recognition of outstanding community service and leadership in the Puget Sound community.

After receiving the First Citizen Award in 2001, Bridge became a favorite fixture at Seattle King County REALTOR® events honoring civic leaders. “Herb lit up the room and your heart when he walked into it,” said Roni Strupat, close friend of Bridge and long-time member of the First Citizen event committee. “He always made you feel like you were the most important person there. I will miss his friendship, wisdom, and certainly his counsel greatly.”

Bridge, who was co-chairman of Seattle-based Ben Bridge Jeweler, is credited with making downtown Seattle a more vibrant place to live and work. Mr. Bridge will be remembered as a dedicated and forward-thinking leader who changed Seattle for the better. Read more about his life here.

This year will mark the 80^th time that the Seattle King County Association of REALTORS® has recognized outstanding examples of civic engagement, community support, and philanthropic leadership through the annual Seattle King County First Citizen Award. The Award will be presented on May 23 at the Fairmont Hotel to the Pigott family, founders of PACCAR.