Henry Isaacson Jr., 65, Loyal Friend, Former Industrialist, Philanthropist

Henry "Hank" Isaacson Jr. was best known for two attributes: generosity and an incredible loyalty to his friends.

"I really don't know anyone who knows more people all over the world than he does," said Bill Wolf, a longtime friend and business associate. "He made friends where ever he went - and they were lifelong friends."

"He kept up with his friends all through their years," added his wife, Carol. "He was a very loyal person."

Mr. Isaacson, who served as chairman Isaacson Steel for many years, died Friday (May 12) at his Seattle home after a brief illness. He was 65.

During his life, Mr. Isaacson continued the cycle of quiet philanthropy that his grandfather, John Isaacson, began here in 1907 when he started Isaacson Steel, a firm that employed nearly 1,400 people at its peak.

Swedish Hospital benefited time and time again from the Isaacsons, and Mr. Isaacson served on the hospital's board of directors for more than 30 years.

"Hank Isaacson and his family have made Swedish Hospital a part of their family for many many years, and we feel a great loss," said Dr. Brian Goodell, the hospital's executive director. "They have gone out of their way to help the hospital for decades."

The University of Washington also benefited from Mr. Isaacson's generosity, and as recently as February, he agreed to serve on the Tyee Club's facility committee.

He served as director of the Tyee Club, and had a longtime

association with the university, from which he graduated in 1951.

He was most interested in the football program and crew racing, and had been on the university's ski team when he was in school, Wolf said.

Born in Seattle March 24, 1927, Mr. Isaacson graduated from Lakeside High School in 1945. He then went to the Merchant Marine Academy in King's Point, N.Y., where he graduated in 1948.

King's Point also is where Mr. Isaacson began his love of travel. "He had a great curiosity about the world," his wife said. "His first job on a ship took him to India."

Mr. Isaacson also loved the sea and boating. He owned a 65-foot 1965 wood Chris-Craft yacht, the High Seas. He liked being being on his boat so much he often told Wolf, "My year starts on opening day."

He affectionately became known as the "commodore" to a group of young friends. "He was kind of a mentor for the young men, many of whom were starting their own businesses," Mrs. Isaacson said. "He reached out to a lot of young people."

One of those young friends, Peter Jacobson, 30, called Mr. Isaacson "one in a million," a man who was a "combination of a father and best friend all in one. He told me hundreds of times, `Let me know what I can do to help.' "

The Isaacson Steel plant and equipment were sold to the Chinese in 1983. After that, Mr. Isaacson was chairman of the Isaacson Group, Ltd., a diversified Seattle-based investment firm, until he died.

Mr. Isaacson was a member of several professional maritime and civic groups, including the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and Salvation Army. He also served on the board of Rainier Bank.

Besides his wife, Mr. Isaacson is survived by his mother, Martha; five children, Susan Isaacson of Seattle, Jody Isaacson of Washington, D.C., Ike Isaacson of Sun Valley, Tom Isaacson of Redmond and John Isaacson of Orcas Island; two sisters, Jane Erkenbeck of Washington, D.C., and JoAnn Fray of San Francisco.

Private services are scheduled. Remembrances may be sent to Pacific Northwest Research Center or a favorite charity.