Donald Eastvold Sr. Went From Politics To Travel Business

Donald W. Eastvold Sr. loved public life.

He liked putting deals and people together, and getting noticed for it.

From 1953 to 1957, he was Washington state's attorney general, one of its youngest.

He was also known for brokering vacation-getaway projects, including Ocean Shores.

He gained national attention for his nominating speech for future President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the 1952 Republican National Convention.

Mr. Eastvold died Sunday (Dec. 19) of heart failure in Palm Springs. He would have celebrated his 80th birthday Jan. 2.

He left politics in 1957 following an unsuccessful bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. He then embraced what his family thinks may have been his true calling: Developing resort sites and travel clubs, some controversial for their pricing and tactics, others highly successful with thousands of members.

He was one of the early time-share developers to pioneer multiple-destination travel clubs. His first venture was the Royal Aloha Vacation Club in 1976.

After moving to California's Palm Springs, he formed several other travel groups.

He took friends and family members on countless trips to countries such as Egypt, then gave on-site lessons from his storehouse of knowledge.

"He loved travel. He was a true news junkie . . . and WAS he a history buff!" exclaimed his daughter Diane Belais of West Linn, Ore. "He also knew a lot about art and had a wonderful collection in his home."

Born in Minneapolis, he graduated as valedictorian of his high-school class in Eau Claire, Wis. He then graduated magna cum laude from Saint Olaf College.

He earned his law degree at the University of Washington, where he was a debate champion.

His father, Dr. Seth C. Eastvold, was president of Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, Pierce County, from 1943 to 1962.

PLU's Eastvold Auditorium is named for Seth Eastvold, whose aggressive fund raising is credited with saving PLU.

"I think in a way my father was an educator, too," said Mr. Eastvold's daughter Shawn Eastvold of Seattle. "He did teach for a little while, he was quite a debater in college. Now his son Carl (Eastvold) has followed in his footsteps and founded Bradshaw Christian School in Sacramento."

Mr. Eastvold entered law practice in Tacoma, became active in Republican politics, and in 1950 was elected to the Washington state Senate.

At the 1952 Republican National Convention, his nominating speech for Eisenhower made national headlines for its scholarly persuasiveness. Magazines such as Life and Time dubbed him "The Young Lawyer with the Book."

Subsequently, he was elected state attorney general.

He approved the purchase and later oversaw development of a beachfront cattle ranch and part of a former military installation into Ocean Shores.

The town's Ginny Simms Restaurant was named for his wife, big-band singer Ginny Simms, who died in 1994.

After leaving politics, he continued in the travel business for 35 years.

His World International Vacation Club of Palm Springs still thrives with some 6,000 members.

Also surviving are his children Donald Eastvold Jr. of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Sharon Eastvold, Portland; sister, Eleanor Holian, Santa Barbara, Calif.; and numerous grandchildren. Services have been held.

Carole Beers' e-mail address is cbeers@seattletimes.co.