Charles W. Elicker, Who Made Quixotic Run For The U.S. Senate

Charles W. Elicker, the jovial, mustachioed state senator who 25 years ago dared challenge Henry M. Jackson for his U.S. Senate seat, loved a good fight.

But his fights were not the blood-and-guts variety. His scraps involved putting "people priorities" back into government, and fighting for the old, the young, the working person and those unable to work.

"It's a kick in the butt, the very fact Charlie was willing to run against Scoop Jackson with no chance of winning," said political crony C. Montgomery "Gummy" Johnson.

"He used it as a chance to tell people what was right with the country and wrong with Scoop, like spending too much on defense. Charlie would rather spend on schools, transportation, police or health, to make local government work better."

Mr. Elicker, who died of heart failure Aug. 12 at 69, got 16 percent of the vote to Jackson's 82 percent, then quipped, "I'm thinking of asking for a recount."

That outlook endeared him to colleagues in the Legislature, where he was a diplomat who could moderate disputes with grace and an apt quote from Alexander Pope or Mark Twain. He was elected to the House in 1966 and Senate in 1968 and served as chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus.

Born in Pittsburgh, he came to Seattle with his family during the Depression and earned bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Washington.

In 1950 he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Michigan Law School and returned to Seattle.

"He owned a nursing home for awhile, and made money in real estate," said his friend Eric Franklin. "But when he bought old apartment buildings he'd actually fix them up himself and hire people he knew who needed work to help. He was a good carpenter."

Intellectual yet fond of handwork, active in church, involved in pension and health issues, Mr. Elicker could talk to just about anyone. He collected Native-American art and liked to travel, garden and cook. Active in the North Kitsap Literacy Council, he also served as a tutor in English and Spanish.

He was always the same, said one friend. He did not appear `on' when with powerful people.

"Charlie was a rare bird," said Johnson. "He could go into a room where people were arguing, and in a few minutes make them forget what they were arguing about. He could discuss the most controversial subject and never make you mad."

Survivors include his wife, Pat Davis-Elicker of Bainbridge Island; children Drew Elicker of Port Townsend and Jessica Waikel, Marysville, and stepchildren April Davis, Seattle, Michael Davis, Poulsbo, Kitsap County, and Kimberly Davis, Atlanta, Ga. He was preceded in death by sons Chas and Bart Elicker.

Services are at 2 p.m. Aug. 26 at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, 105 Winslow Way W., Bainbridge Island.

Remembrances may be made to Children's Hospital and Medical Center, P.O. Box 5371, Seattle, WA, 98105, or to Salvation Army, 111 Queen Anne Ave. N., Suite 300, Seattle, WA, 98109.