To the editor:

When we decided to look at property on Bainbridge Island we took the Seattle-Winslow ferry and stopped at the first real estate office, “Julia Minnick, Realtor.” I asked if they had any waterfront property for sale and, after looking at my car, my wife and two children, she said, “Yes, but you can’t afford any of them.”

We drove to the next office which was, “Helen Perlattie, Realtor.” We met Helen, Frances Gowan, Eddie Rollins and Paul Sakai, and by the end of the day we were buying

20 acres on contract. Eddie showed us the property, and Paul prepared the papers. He also gave us a flat of strawberries. These four people became our friends for life.

Eddie Rollins was the postmaster for Bainbridge Island for more than 30 years. When he retired, because he knew everyone, Lou Goller hired Eddie to be the greeter at the bank. Eddie continued at this job for another 20 years again knowing the newcomers.

Eddie served as a Rotarian, a member of Bainbridge Committee, Bainbridge Foundation, chamber of commerce and countless other civic organizations. Everyone knew and loved him.

Eddie came to Bainbridge as an Army enlistee during World War II and met and fell in love with Helen Warrick. After the war and his European service, Eddie came back to Bainbridge. Eddie and Helen raised three children, Susi, Sandy and Shellee and lived in Eagledale.

Eddie never said no to any request for help and was always working for the Island, its people and their needs.

One of Eddie’s Army buddies was Jim Dillon, who also came back from the war and lived on Bainbridge. Jim died a few years ago. They were members of “the Greatest Generation.”

Julie Minnick was right. We couldn’t afford the waterfront property.

DICK KRUTCH

Bainbridnge Island