Edward Beale Doremus

Edward Beale Doremus, of Bainbridge Island, died peacefully on Feb. 24 at the Madison Avenue Retirement Center in Winslow. He was 94.

He was born in Los Angeles in 1914, the first son of Ruth Newman Doremus and Edward Beale Doremus, Sr. He was raised in Schaghticoke, N.Y. and graduated from Troy Country Day School in 1931.

In 1940, Doremus enlisted in the Naval Reserves. As First Class Photographer’s Mate, he served on the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-7) in the Pacific Ocean. On Feb. 15, 1942 his ship was torpedoed and sunk near Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. An experienced sailor, Doremus thought to use the direction of the wind to help flip a life raft over so that he and several other shipmates could get into it and be rescued.

After World War II, Doremus moved to Bainbridge Island, where he established the Port Madison Press, a printing business that served the printing needs of all island establishments. In 1956 he married Bertha Larson, a clinical faculty member of the University of Washington Hospital and instructor at UW School of Social Work. Together they cruised the waters of Puget Sound and environs aboard Venture, their beloved wooden sailboat.

Doremus was preceded in death by Bertha, his wife of 47 years. He is survived by his niece, Penny Scheerer of Nantucket, Mass.; his nephew, Mark Scheerer of New York City; and his cousin, Polly Edmunds of Melvin Village, N.H.

Memorial donations may be made to Helpline House, 282 Knechtel Way, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.