13 Facts About Walt Crowley

Walter Charles Crowley was an American historian and activist from Washington state.

Walt Crowley first entered the public sphere in Seattle through his involvement with the social and political movements of the 1960s, especially the underground press.

Walt Crowley later became more widely known as a local television personality and for his pioneering work as a local historian, including co-creating the website HistoryLink.

Walt Crowley later worked for the Seattle Model Cities Program and then for the city itself in various planning and outreach roles.

Walt Crowley returned to private industry in 1977 and ran unsuccessfully for the Seattle City Council.

Walt Crowley had a variety of civic involvements afterwards, including serving as president of the venerable civic organization Allied Arts.

In 1980, Walt Crowley formed Walt Crowley Associates, which publishes guides to Seattle and provides services for many local political campaigns.

Walt Crowley was a columnist and commentator in many local forums, most notably having a seven-year run in a "Point-Counterpoint" format with conservative John Carlson on KIRO television.

Walt Crowley wrote several histories of local civic institutions, from the elite Rainier Club to the blue-collar Blue Moon Tavern.

Walt Crowley led the campaign to save the Blue Moon from demolition, ran the task force that drafted new laws to restore historic Downtown theaters, and served on numerous other civic projects.

Walt Crowley married graphic designer and business associate Marie McCaffrey in 1982.

In 2005, Walt Crowley was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and fought it with characteristic stubbornness; the night before his larynx was removed, he held a "Famous Last Words" party.

Walt Crowley died at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle on September 21,2007, at the age of 60, after suffering a stroke following an operation for the cancer.