Archives West Finding Aid

Fred T. Darville (1927-2007) was born in Salt Lake City. His mother, Ruth was a teacher and his father, Fred, Sr., a seller and publisher of law books and forms. The family traveled the western states much of the year on selling trips, staying in San Francisco in the winter and at their cabin on Orcas Island in the summer. Until he attended high school, Ruth taught Fred in the front seat of the car. He graduated with honors from Bellingham High School in 1945, the University of Washington in 1948, and UW Medical School in 1951. He was on the UW water polo and swim teams, holding long standing pool records. During summers he was a lifeguard and swim teacher on Vashon Island. He did medical residencies at Herman Kiefer Hospital in Detroit and the VA Hospital in Seattle and became a Fellow of the American College of Physicians in 1962. From 1956 to 1991 Fred practiced internal medicine at the office on 15th Street in Mount Vernon, which he built across from the future site of Skagit Valley Hospital. As a member of the hospital staff, he helped establish the intensive and coronary care units, the ethics committee, and took part in the leadership of the medical staff. Highly regarded for his medical skill, he was an impassioned teacher and worked to improve the quality of care in every place in which he practiced. At his retirement in 1991, Skagit Valley Hospital recognized him for over 35 years of devotion and contributions to the health and welfare of the people of Skagit Valley. He continued working part time for ten years at Orcas Island, SeaMar, Clinicare, Nook sack Tribal Clinic and the VA Hospital in Prescott, AX. In all, he practiced medicine for 50 years. In 1957 he made his first trip into the Cascades, stayed at a Forest Service lookout at Park Butte on the south side of Mt. Baker, fell in love with mountains, and became a passionate environmentalist. He was a founder and first president of the Skagit Alpine Club and served on the boards of Skagit Mountain Rescue, North Cascades Conservation Council, Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs, Washington Wilderness Association, Skagit Environmental Council. His special places were Park Butte Lookout and Hidden Lake Lookout, both of which he cared for or managed the care of, for almost 40 years, working with the Forest Service to keep them and other lookouts open for use by the public. He produced 14 editions of the book, Mountaineering Medicine , a classic for many years, carried in the backpacks of hikers, climbers and outdoors people. He taught wilderness medicine courses for National Parks, guides, outdoor schools, and the Wilderness Medical Society. He also wrote Hiking the North Cascades and Stehekin: The Enchanted Valley. Fred was instrumental in the establishment of the North Cascades National Park, the protection of Glacier Peak Wilderness, the preservation of Ebey's Landing on Whidbey Island, and the prevention of dams in the Grand Canyon, another of his favorite places. His love of beauty and nature took him hiking, climbing and canyon exploring in many parts of the world. His nature photography won prizes and was published in outdoor magazines. The North Cascades Institute's Wild Ginger library at the Environmental Learning Center is dedicated to him. For forty years the Darvills have lived on forested land on the south side of Little Mountain. Fred built a trail across the property to the top of the mountain in Little Mountain Park. The trail, now in Skagit Land Trust easement, has served the hiking public for many years and is part of his considerable legacy to the community.

(Biographical note taken from a obituary published in the Seattle Times from January 6 to January 7, 2008.)