Couple's Will Endows WSU Economics Chair

A Kirkland family, killed in November in a plane crash on the way to the Apple Cup football game, left $2.8 million to Washington State University for an endowed chair and scholarship money for disadvantaged students.

James and Dianna Huber and their sons, Jason, 15, and Ryan, 13, were killed when their Beechcraft Duke crashed at Granite Mountain near Snoqualmie Pass. Passengers Jerry and Kris Schei of Edmonds also died in the crash.

James Huber was president of ATCON Services Inc., Kirkland-based commercial laundry-equipment sales and service company.

The endowment was announced yesterday at WSU's board of regents meeting.

A year before the crash, the couple prepared wills outlining their gift to the university. The family also left $700,000 to Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle.

"It's still hard to accept that they're gone," said Bette Ebenson, Dianna's mother. "At least they will have this legacy, something they will be remembered for, something that will help students."

The couple would have celebrated their 20th anniversary April 28. James Huber was the first in his family - all Husky fans - to attend Washington State University. He received a geography degree in 1966, served in Vietnam then received a master's degree in business administration from the University of Washington.

But he stayed a Cougar at heart and was the vice president of the college's advisory council.

Dianna Huber, a UW graduate, became a devoted Cougar after her marriage. Sons Jason and Ryan, both students at Bellevue Christian School, also were dedicated WSU fans.

An endowed chair will be established at the College of Business and Economics with $1.1 million. Interest from the fund will be used for workshops, student programs and fund-raising.

Another $560,000 will go toward three athletic scholarships.