Paul S. Friedlander, Made Name For Self As Civic Leader

Paul S. Friedlander, 81, a leader of Seattle's civic leaders, died yesterday after a two-week bout with pneumonia.

Although the family name still graces a highly successful chain of Washington-state jewelry stores founded by his father and sold eight years ago, Mr. Friedlander "was famous for Poncho. He was a co-founder of that," his son John proudly notes.

"He was attending a charity auction for a zoo in Portland and he had the idea of doing the same thing in Seattle as a safety net for the arts," John Friedlander explained.

Mr. Friedlander returned to Seattle with that vision three decades ago, and made the dream a reality.

Poncho - The Patrons of Northwest Civic, Cultural and Charitable Organizations - was up and running in short order and has grown to be a national model for cultural galas that raise large amounts of money from the wealthy for supporting the arts. Mr. Friedlander was the organization's first president.

"He felt he could make a difference in people's lives. That's just the way he was," said his son. "He really enjoyed people and he liked to do things for people."

Mr. Friedlander was born and raised on Capitol Hill, not far from Volunteer Park, and graduated from the old Broadway High School.

After graduating from Stanford University, he earned a law degree from the University of Washington where he established lifelong close links with men who became senators, Henry M. Jackson and Warren Magnuson. Mr. Friedlander served on the campaign committees for both.

He maintained his connection with the UW by founding the Tyee Club of alumnis to benefit the university's athletic programs' finances. For many years he was its president.

Mr. Friedlander was involved in many reaches of public service for more than 50 years. A board member of more than 20 organizations, he was appointed to the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcast in 1979 by President Carter.

He served 18 years as a Seattle port commissioner, was a freeholder who helped draft the King County Charter, and he was a member of the World's Fair Commission.

Among Mr. Friedlander's other involvements were the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, the Seattle Symphony and the State Arts Commission.

"He was a part owner of a winery in France because he liked wine. But I don't think you could say he was a student of wine," his son said.

In recent years, he established new business ventures, P and J Wholesaling and the China, Silver and Crystal Shop.

When John and his brother, Paul Jr., were growing up, their father "taught us things he thought we should know but I don't think you could say he was a strict disciplinarian. He could be when he had to be but he was a positive person," said John.

Lifelong friend Ralph Schoenfeld recalls: "I never had a better friend. Paul was very outgoing. He was sincere. And he tried to do good for people."

As a golfing partner, Schoenfeld said he and Mr. Friedlander had "a contest between us because we enjoyed each other's company and we played the best we could."

Besides his two sons, Mr. Friedlander is survived by his wife Margery, and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be Wednesday at noon at Temple de Hirsch Sinai. The family suggests remembrances to the Seattle Symphony or the Virginia Mason Research Center.