It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the following news with you today, August 9, 2013.
We are very sorry to inform Eastside Pathway’s partners and friends that Bill Henningsgaard, founder and Executive Director of Eastside Pathways, and his son, Maxwell Henningsgaard, were involved in a fatal airplane accident. Bill and Max were on a trip to the East Coast, where they were visiting colleges. The loss of Bill and Max is tragic.
As an Eastside Pathway partner and friend, you know first-hand how the extraordinary and visionary leadership of Bill Henningsgaard helped actualize our mission and vision. He worked tirelessly to build partnerships and facilitate efforts that put us on the path of engaging the community to actively support every child, step by step, from cradle to career. Bill walked the talk to make our community stronger.
The Eastside Pathways Board will meet within a week to appoint an interim Executive Director. This is because the Board is dedicated to preserving the work that began with Bill, was enthusiastically embraced by you, and continues on in your daily work. We are confident that everyone who has been part of Eastside Pathways’ work believes in the value of our collective efforts and will continue to support the collaboratives and initiatives that are underway, as well as any future efforts we determine will take our impact on the lives of children and youth to the next level. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
We know you will join the Eastside Pathways Board in extending deepest condolences to Bill’s wife, Susan Sullivan, and his daughters, Eleanor and Lucy. They are in our thoughts and hearts.
The family respectfully requests that any remembrances be made in the following ways:
- For Bill, the family invites you to invest in our community, like he did, and make donations to any of the Eastside Pathways partners.
- For Max, donations can be made to Camp Kiwanilong, located in Warrenton, Oregon. It was a special place for Max for many years. He leaves behind many memories and friends.