Edward Stephen Singler

Edward Stephen Singler, 93, of Seattle, beloved husband, father and public servant, passed away in Swedish Hospital in Edmonds on December 9, 2024. Ed was born to Stephen and Sally Singler of Detroit in 1931. His father was President of the Electric Streetcar and Busmen’s Union, and his mother Sally worked for the United Auto Workers, Dodge Local 3. Early in his life he was set on a path for community organizing and public service.

Ed earned a Bachelor degree from the University of Michigan and a Doctor of Law degree from Wayne State University. Directly after graduation he was drafted to serve in the Korean War as Sgt First Class and was posted to Fort Lawton from 1956 to 1958. At about the same time he met Joan Thiel, where they both worked for Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters’ Health Insurance division in Detroit. The two fell in love and were married in Detroit. Both Ed and Joan also fell in love with the Northwest, so after Ed being discharged from the Army, they left Detroit to make Seattle their home.

Ed worked for Boeing and then for a short time in private practice. He provided legal counsel to mayors and city officials in small towns across Washington in his role with the Bureau of Governmental Research and Services.

The 1960s Freedom Rides in the South and denial of civil rights in Seattle motivated Ed, along with friends, to form the Seattle Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). They picketed and organized boycotts of real estate offices and retail stores to change discriminatory policies. Ed ran the training sessions in non-violent direct action for those who wanted to be part of the movement. Later he would join the Saturday picket lines in front of retail stores to support the Farm Workers Boycott of wine, lettuce and grapes.

In 1965-67 Ed and Joan moved to San Francisco when he became the Administrator of Region X's War on Poverty program aimed at significantly reducing poverty in the United States by providing increased access to education, healthcare, job training, and other social services.

When he left San Francisco, he carried the momentum of the Mobilization Against the War in Vietnam to Seattle. Working with the American Friends Service Committee, he helped to organize one of the biggest demonstrations against that war in Seattle.

He was ready when Mayor Ulman selected him to be the director for the newly formed City of Seattle Dept of Human Services, which included programs for Youth Education, Women’s Equality issues, Veterans, Seniors, Alcohol and Drug treatment, Native American Redress and People with disabilities. One of his many projects included pursuing a much-needed program to finally have the City of Seattle agree to the extra cost for curb cuts so vital for people in walkers and wheelchairs.

Working in City Hall during the battle to save the Market, he was known to pass along to Friends of the Market the plans being laid by those opposing the Market. He, with the support of a grad student, wrote the draft that Victor Steinbrueck used to create the Initiative we voted on to save the Market. Fifteen years later he became President of Friends of the Market and served two terms on the Market Historical Commission and helped to develop the OSHER program designed to educate Seattleites about the history of the Market. He was a volunteer tour guide for several years.

His work at the local level supporting human services qualified Ed for the Region X Administrator of the Office of Human Development Services (OHDS) in 1981. In this position he was instrumental in forming cooperative agreements to support the state, King County, United Way, and other programs addressing Health and Human Services issues. He attended the White House Conference on Asian American Aging recognizing that human services needed culturally appropriate programs. Ed also served on the Asian Health Board.

Upon retiring he was selected State President of American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and volunteered for six years with Washington State AARP spending many hours lobbying in Olympia for senior issues. Retirement also included some years as a volunteer board member of Therapeutic Health Services, a drug treatment program helping thousands in King County living with addiction.

Ed with family and friends skied, enjoyed backpacking trips to the mountains and wilderness beaches of Washington and British Columbia. He loved sailing with friends (never owned a boat) and snorkeling in places like The Abaco's and the Great Barrier Reef. He looked forward to spending time with his extended family and friends on summer vacations in Stehekin and on Harstine Island.

A lover of good wine, he joined a wine making group. For 18 years, along with 50 other friends, he made his own... his mantra was “Life is too short to drink cheap wine.”

He enjoyed wonderful years being an active grandfather to Donovan and Lillian passing on his values so important in a world that is so in need of compassion.

Leaving their Leschi home of 50 years, to retire at Horizon House, Ed was one of the very first to join the Ukulele Band – the Stringalongs which provided fun, companionship and stimulation as he faced the onset of dementia.

Ed is survived by Joan his loving wife and partner of 68 years, daughters Carrie Toppano , Sandra Bown, sister Melissa and grandchildren Donovan and Lillian Bown. He was preceded in death by his brother Marvin and parents.

Remembrances can be made to the Pike Place Market Foundation, Southern Poverty Law Center, UNECEF, or any of the many groups helping humans and our planet in distress.

A date when family and friends can gather to remember and celebrate Ed’s life will be set for some time next year.