Kinne Mason Hawes, Pioneer In Northwest Produce Industry

He was a man of few words, but Kinne Mason Hawes, a pioneer in the produce industry in the Pacific Northwest, knew how to sell. He even hooked a famous World War II general with his pitch.

Early in the war, when Army troops were marching from the Chehalis area to Fort Lewis, he told Army officers that they should feed their men something better than canned rations. Try fresh produce, he suggested.

Mr. Hawes so impressed the officers with his simple logic - and perhaps his chutzpah - that he closed a deal with them. Mr. Hawes' son Jeff said one of the officers was Dwight D. Eisenhower, who later became commander of the Allied forces in Europe, and then president.

Mr. Hawes also pitched more important matters. His words "gave support and instilled beliefs," Jeff said.

Mr. Hawes died last Sunday of heart failure at age 82.

He was someone who saw the best in people, Jeff Hawes said. "And he said that in anything you do, try your best."

Mr. Hawes was an example of that. Many kinds of fresh produce were hard to come by in the Pacific Northwest in the 1940s and '50s. Mr. Hawes was credited with bringing in Florida Indian River grapefruit, Chilean winter fruit and Cuban winter vegetables.

He also was seen as largely responsible for the year-round availability of tomatoes at the time.

"He was very innovative," Jeff Hawes said. "He was willing to look for the next trend."

Mr. Hawes' reputation in the industry grew, and young people looking to get into the business and colleagues alike sought him for advice.

"He had a quiet wisdom," said another son, Steve Hawes of Seattle. "And he insisted (we) do the right things."

Born in Everett, Mr. Hawes grew up in Marietta, Ohio, but he returned to Seattle to study business administration at the University of Washington, where he also rowed for the Husky crew.

The story goes that he missed graduation, instead choosing to work a shift for the Pacific Fruit & Produce Co. He later joined F.C. Bloxom Co., a produce brokerage now operated by his son Jeff.

After military service in Europe in World War II, Mr. Hawes returned to the brokerage as a partner and continued his career there until he retired in 1984.

During retirement, he stayed close to nature by gardening, especially working with roses.

He always was close to family and church. "Anyone who knew him came to love him," Steve Hawes said.

Other survivors include his wife, Ann Hawes of Mercer Island; a brother, Nat Hawes of Lacey, Thurston County; another son, Kinne F. Hawes of Seattle; and several grandchildren.

Services have been held. Remembrances may be sent to the University of Washington Husky Crew program, Mail Stop GC-20, Seattle, WA 98195.