Russell Vanrooy, Retired AAA Official, Was Known As A Car-Safety Crusader

If the Automobile Club (AAA) of Washington ever needed a "poster man," it would have had to look no further than its executive vice president, Russell W. VanRooy.

He not only cared about cars and road-safety right down to the rims, he looked the part of a "Dudley Doright" of driving: steely eyes, strong jaw, square shoulders.

"He never worked on his own cars," said his daughter Wendy Gannon of Edmonds. "But he always had at least three-fourths-a-tank of gas and had maintenance done the minute it was due."

When the children were little, he showed safety cartoons instead of Mickey Mouse at birthday parties.

"He kicked the tires of every car of every boy that came to see my sister or me," said his daughter Nancy Rosselet, also of Edmonds. "I had one boyfriend who had `slicks' on the back of his '57 Chevy. My dad about died then and there."

Caring and supportive of his family, Mr. VanRooy was equally committed to the state's American Automobile Association (AAA) affiliate - officially titled the Automobile Club of Washington - which he'd served 39 years.

He retired as CEO in 1983 to tend roses, golf in Palm Desert, Calif., and enjoy "cocktail-hour sunsets" from his deck overlooking La Conner's Swinomish Channel in Skagit County.

"When he retired, and I had my chance after all those years to say something," said his wife, Jean VanRooy of La Conner, "I said, `He was married first to the Auto Club, and second to me.' He was always rushing off to Olympia or to Washington, D.C., when there was a crisis."

Mr. VanRooy, 72, died Sept. 5 of heart disease.

During his life, he led many memorable charges. In 1966 he took to task service-industry workers who were giving Seattle a reputation for rudeness rather than friendliness.

Rosselet said Mr. VanRooy himself was extremely formal, polite and well-organized. "When I bought my little house, he put together a tool kit with Sucrets tins full of different sizes of nails I might need," she said.

He also successfully fought the trucking industry's efforts to use triple trailers, opposed gas-tax hikes to support public transit, and chastened Seattle School District officials for trying to gut the School Safety Patrol.

Although he questioned the mandatory use of seat belts, he made his family wear them.

Arguing against the law, he said, "Where will it all stop? Why not require occupants to wear fire-resistant clothing, helmets and gloves? Why not forbid people to smoke (while driving), or to listen to distracting radio programs?"

Born in Tenino, Thurston County, Mr. VanRooy didn't start out to be a car crusader. He started out to be a writer, earning a journalism degree from the University of Washington in 1948.

His first job was writing for the Automobile Club newsletter. From there his career in the club accelerated.

"An employee called me the other day and said what a lot of integrity he had," said his wife. "But we don't want to call him Saint Russell. Oh no. He did love his parties."

He mostly drove Oldsmobiles. But in his last years he finally achieved his goal: to own a Cadillac.

Other survivors include his son Russell S. VanRooy, of Seattle; his sister Shirley Noland, Palm Desert, and one grandchild.

Services are at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 21405 82nd Pl. W., Edmonds. Remembrances may go to any charity.