Family, colleagues and friends alike remembered Ed Pingul’s infectious smile and gentle nature this week.
The former “King of Issaquah” died suddenly of a heart attack on June 23 in Idaho while on vacation with his family. He was 57.
“Ed was a warm and caring man, open and honest,” his wife, Geri, wrote in his obituary. “He never considered anyone an acquaintance, but instant friend.”
They were married for 28 years and raised three children.
“He was an amazingly generous and loving husband and father,” she wrote in an email. “He will be dearly missed.”
A University of Washington graduate, Pingul was the Issaquah/Sammamish Reporter‘s advertising representative since December 2013. He first joined Sound Publishing in 2000.
“He really worked hard at making this paper the best it could be,” said William Shaw, publisher of the Snoqualmie Valley Record and the Issaquah/Sammamish, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and Bothell/Kenmore Reporter papers. “Through his quiet passion and calm ethos, he worked hard to develop great relationships.”
Over the years, Pingul took his commitment to the Issaquah community to heart — first through marketing and sales by fostering bonds with business of all sizes and then as a member of the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and Issaquah Rotary Club.
“Ed was a very dedicated Rotarian,” said Michel Martel, former Rotary president. “He was very important to our club.”
Pingul was about to step into the role of Rotary president-elect, the understudy to the president, this week. In 2017-2018, he would have been named Rotary president.
“Everybody liked to work with Ed,” Martel said. “He was always there when we needed help and was always someone we could rely on.”
Martel laughed when recalling Pingul’s punctuality to meetings and how serious he took his kingly duties.
“He was very proud of being King of Issaquah,” Martel said.
Pingul was crowned during the 2015 Chamber’s annual community awards. The role comes with a few responsibilities, mainly ribbon cuttings and a display in the Salmon Days Parade.
Martel said Pingul would bring his royal garb to community events and would don the silver salmon crown with goodwill.
“He had a good sense of humor,” Martel said. “He was a very kind man.”
Martel credits Pingul with boosting the Rotary membership, as well as strengthening and enriching the club’s relationship with the Chamber.
Ann Hegstrom, a Rotary community service board member, also spoke highly of Pingul’s achievements.
This year, he had helped the Rotary with its scholarship program, which awards three, $4,000 scholarships to a Liberty, Tiger and Issaquah high school student.
But it was Pingul’s personality and dedication to the community that really touched the hearts of many.
“He was such a really nice guy, just really genuine,” Hegstrom said. “Everyone loved and respected him.”
In Sound Publishing newsrooms, the loss and shock spurred people into silence.
“I was gutted when we were told,” Redmond Reporter Editor Andy Nystrom said. “I loved talking with Ed about sports and life. Such a cool guy.”
Other long-time friends, such as Advertising Sales Consultant Jen Gralish and Senior Creative Designer Diana Nelson, shared stories.
Gralish, who knew Pingul for more than 15 years, still has a 2001 prank ad order filed away in her desk that Pingul gave her shortly after she moved into a new position.
Nelson said Pingul was like an uncle to her, mentoring her and pushing her to be better.
Plus, “he was always good for kid-rearing advice,” she said.
Pingul’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at St. Francis Cabrini, located at 5715 108th St. SW in Tacoma.
A wake is planned for 1-7 p.m. on July 2-4 each day at Mountain View Cemetery, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakeview.
The family asks, in lieu of flowers, to donate to Northwest Boychoir and Vocalpoint! Seattle, a music education program for students throughout the Puget Sound region. For more information, visit www.nwchoirs.org.
