Jerry Flora, former WWU president, dies at 85

BELLINGHAM — Former Western Washington University president Charles “Jerry” Flora was remembered as a passionate teacher, a man of integrity and a lover of science after his death Sunday evening.

Flora, 85, died shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday surrounded by family at his home in Everson. He and his wife, Rosemary, had been in a car crash Dec. 16, and on Friday he was brought home with the help of hospice care after his condition deteriorated.

Flora started teaching at WWU in 1957 and was president from 1967 to 1975. He co-founded Huxley College of the Environment and helped create what is now the Shannon Point Marine Center in Anacortes. He also helped found what is now the Institute for Watershed Studies.

WWU President Bruce Shepard said Flora moved the university forward through a turbulent era of social and financial upheaval.

“He was a marvelous professor,” Shepard said. “I think that’s higher praise than to simply be an outstanding president. That’s the calling that gets us into this line of work to begin with — to be an educator.”

Longtime family friend Eric Hall described Flora as his academic father. Hall went to school with Flora’s son and eventually had Flora as a teacher and advisor while he studied biology at WWU.

“It’s really hard to find the words to describe the effect Jerry had,” Hall said. “I know that every life he touched, there was a huge impact. He had this way of getting you to ask the questions instead of giving you the answer, and you weren’t upset about it. You just went on your way and got the answers and figured it out.”

Flora’s daughter, Lise Flora Waugh, said she couldn’t have asked for a better father.

“He was just a really dynamic individual, very compassionate and open-minded,” Lise said. “He cared deeply about biology and about teaching his students and conveying the importance of science to others. He was funny, very funny. He just always could see the bright side of things. Not funny as in telling jokes. He was just a very happy soul.”

People who didn’t attend WWU still might have known Flora for his time on the small screen. He served as a meteorologist at KVOS TV and created his marine life series “Tidepool Critters.” He also led beach walks to teach about the sea and its wonders.

“It was definitely a personal passion for him,” his daughter said.

The family will have a small funeral on Friday, and donations can be made in Flora’s memory to WWU’s biology department. The family is hoping the university will name the Biology building after Flora.

The family plans to have a larger memorial in spring that is open to anyone. Lise is collecting stories and photos of her father for the memorial; they can be sent to her email at waugh1313@aol.com.

“Really (a funeral) is not his thing,” Lise said. “He specifically wanted us to have a party.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Rick Steves launches $1M match challenge for Lynnwood Neighborhood Center

The $64.5 million Lynnwood Neighborhood Center will house several community spaces and partner with local nonprofits.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Council denies latest Eastview Village appeal

Council members affirmed previous approvals of the development planned off Cathcart Way near Highway 9.

Everett
Everett police: Man sold drugs to woman prior to fatal overdose

The man, who faces a charge under the state’s controlled substance homicide law, remains in Snohomish County Jail on more than $1M bond.

Missing Marysville boy, 10, found safe and sound

Police said the boy was last seen Sunday morning before leaving to go for a run at a nearby middle school.

Red tape hangs in the front of the entrance to a burned down Center for Human Services building along 204th Street on Monday, July 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building housed an intensive mental health support program for youth and families.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.