Obituary | Gary Milgard focused on people, profit

When Gary Milgard opened his Tacoma business in 1962, he thought he was just selling windows and making a profit.

But when Milgard Manufacturing, a company of 5,000 employees, was sold nearly 40 years later for $875 million, Mr. Milgard realized investing time and resources in his employees was just as important as manufacturing a quality product.

Mr. Milgard — known for the millions he donated to the University of Washington, Tacoma; Boys & Girls Clubs; and Mary Bridge Children's Hospital — died yesterday after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 68.

Cari Milgard said her father went through much of life focused on making a profit. He mowed lawns, raked leaves and worked at a grocery in high school. In college, he sold printed dance cards to local high schools and colleges.

"He was a man of complete integrity and a visionary with regard to his business," said Carol Van Natta, assistant chancellor for advancement at UW Tacoma. "He really believed in investing in people."

Mr. Milgard was a lifelong Tacoma resident. At Clover Park High School, he played basketball and was a high jumper. After two years at the University of Washington, he married Carol Berry, who had been his girlfriend and best friend since the eighth grade. The couple had three children.

"One thing he instilled in the three of us was to respect other people, especially the elders, and how to shake a hand and look somebody in the eye," said Cari Milgard, of Gig Harbor. "Even our kids do that."

In 2003, the Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation and Jim Milgard, his brother, gave $15 million to UW Tacoma. The school, in turn, named its business department the Milgard School of Business, Van Natta said.

"I saw Gary for the last time about three weeks ago, and we were talking about the importance of business ethics and corporate responsibility and how very important it was to him that the Milgard School of Business emphasized those things in its curriculum," Van Natta added.

In 1994, Inc. magazine named Mr. Milgard its Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year, according to a spokeswoman at UW Tacoma. In 2004, he was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, an award given to community leaders who demonstrate a commitment to honesty, hard work, self-reliance and perseverance.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Lakewold Garden, 12317 Gravelly Lake Drive S.W., Lakewood.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Mr. Milgard is survived by daughter Lori Milgard, of Gig Harbor; son Mark Milgard, of Seattle; brother Jim Milgard, of Gig Harbor; and five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, 1501 Pacific Ave., Suite 301, Tacoma, WA 98402.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com