Edwin Teel, Founded Vitamilk Dairy

What he started during college as a simple milk-delivery route on Queen Anne Hill, Edwin Alfred Teel built into Vitamilk, one of the state's largest dairies.

And while he successfully expanded the Green Lake business over five decades, he was always devoted to others: his family, those in need, his alma mater - Seattle Pacific University.

Mr. Teel died Sunday (March 2) from complications of cancer. He was 85.

Born in Harrington, Lincoln County, and raised on a wheat farm, Mr. Teel was the oldest of five children. By delivering milk, he worked his way though Seattle Pacific College (now Seattle Pacific University), where he earned a mathematics degree in 1936.

After graduating, he built a small milk-processing plant on a Seattle farm, moving at the beginning of World War II to an old building in the Green Lake area. Today, that building has been improved, housing the Vitamilk processing plant and business, as well as the Vitarich Ice Cream Co.

Mr. Teel also served as a president of the local Food Giant grocery company, leading it from the 1960s through its sale to Quality Food Centers (QFC) last year.

Almost 20 years ago, Mr. Teel passed the Vitamilk torch on to his son, Jerry, now president, and son-in-law, Daryl Vander Pol, chief financial officer.

Mr. Teel served on the board of trustees at CRISTA Ministries, was an active member of the University Lions Club, a former president of the Washington State Dairy Council, and an active member at First Free Methodist Church for 50 years.

He was a great supporter of Seattle Pacific University (SPU), serving for 30 years on the board of trustees and becoming a trustee emeritus. He was named the university's Alumnus of the Year in 1963.

Mr. Teel and his wife, Laura Pauline "Polly" Cooley, started the Wellspring Endowment at SPU, creating a scholarship fund.

"He really supported the university in all facets on the financial side, as well as supporting their programs and students," said John Glancy, SPU's director of communications, who had worked with Mr. Teel since the 1970s.

Mr. Teel was a devoted family man. He named a gourmet ice-cream line for his wife of 59 years - Polly Teel's Old Fashioned Ice Cream.

"He was just a wonderful dad," Jerry Teel said. "He just always cared. We talked just about every day."

Other survivors include a daughter, Claudia Vander Pol, Lynnwood; a son, Chuck and his wife, Barbara, Seattle; Jerry's wife, Kathi, Seattle; a sister, Lois Madden, Seattle; a brother, Steve, Seattle; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by brothers Cliff and Ward.

A memorial service will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at First Free Methodist Church, 3220 Third Ave. W., Seattle, WA, 98119.. Memorials may be sent to the SPU Wellspring Endowment, 3307 Third Avenue W., Seattle, WA, 98119; or the First Free Methodist Building Fund.