Memories of Ty

Brad Phelps

Through the 35 years that I knew Ty, I always felt a spirit of brotherhood. Our paths initially crossed through business, but our relationship grew to friendship. Having both grown up, 10 years apart, in Spokane, we shared many a story – in the town we called home. Interestingly, we met in Yakima working on the City water and irrigation systems. Then when we both moved back to Spokane in the 1990’s, and during this time in Spokane we spent much time together, crafting many infrastructure improvements of Spokane County District No. 3, and then with the Spokane Aquifer Joint Board (SAJB), its planning, development and assurance for continuing success to have clean drinking water for the citizens of Spokane. I have fond memories of the two of us making over 90 presentations in one year about the importance of clean water as representatives of SAJB. Presentations to local agencies, social clubs, and anyone who would be willing to listen to us. Ty’s passion about the subject matter – Water – was always forefront, and it exuded in his presentations. Although he didn’t like speaking in front of large groups – he did so, to get the message of the importance of clean water to the masses of Spokane. He was always one to be involved in the industry and never sat back and watched – he was the one leading and blazing new trails. In later years, I would stop by his office and enjoy seeing his eyes light up and talk of old times – but not for very long, as there were always future pressing issues to discuss and the need to develop new solutions. Ty, thank you for your friendship, leadership, and mentorship, which started as a business partner – In my eyes Ty was always larger than life. He was a great man and well respected by many.

John Porcello, GSI Water Solutions, Portland

As a hydrologist, I had the great privilege of serving Ty and the Spokane Aquifer Joint Board for a number of years, starting from when he founded the SAJB all the way to his retirement. I conducted hydrologic studies for Ty and the SAJB as they worked to help protect the region’s groundwater resources and the Spokane River. Over that long period, I could see that Ty cared deeply about how these resources are interwoven with the way of life in the region. Yet it went beyond that. He clearly cared deeply about service to the community through his work, and it became apparent over the years that his vision to create the SAJB and shepherd its work sprung from that care and ethic. After the significant drought in 2015, he engaged me in a brain-storming session that led to one of the most interesting studies I’ve ever been involved with in my 30-year career – and more importantly, perhaps the most useful study for a local community. Ty wanted us to examine the entire history of water use and climate in the region, so that the region would have a more solid knowledge base on which to make future decisions about water management. That study turned out to be more informative than either of us had expected when we started on it, and the local members of the water community seemed to genuinely embrace its findings and implications as we presented it at local water forums. The usefulness of that work was an indication of the power of his vision and foresight, and his care for the community. Brad Phelps, a friend and colleague for many years), summed it up perfectly, with his words about Ty’s friendship, leadership, mentorship, and larger-than-life presence. I felt all of that too and am so grateful that I had the privilege to cross paths with Ty and learn from him … and to eat with him at his favorite breakfast haunt!

Tonilee Hanson, SAJB Program Manager

The first time I met Ty and his wife Diane was at a 2010 Spokane River Forum river paddle that was a special event for Spokane Aquifer Joint Board (SAJB) water purveyors. The paddle took us from Long Lake Dam to Little Falls Dam. When we arrived at Little Falls take out point Ty was asked to speak to the group. Honestly, I don’t remember all that he said but I was aware of the respect everyone showed toward Ty and the passion with which he spoke about protecting our waters.

In September of 2011, I became the Spokane Aquifer Joint Board Program (SAJB) Manager and spent the next six years working on aquifer and wellhead protection with Ty and the SAJB members. Ty cared deeply about collaboration and worked tirelessly to unite water purveyors in Washington and Idaho to protect our sole source aquifer. The Idaho Washington Aquifer Collaborative(IWAC) and the on-going work of Idaho and Washington water providers to protect our sole source aquifer is a testament to Ty’s vision.

Part of my job as Program Manager was to write the minutes for the SAJB meetings. Ty read every set of minutes and sent back tracked changes. He cared deeply about everything and corrected content as well as punctuation and grammar. Everyone of Ty’s edits made the minutes more accurate.

Ty loved his family and was such a proud grandpa. He was always ready to share stories with me about his wonderful grandchildren.

The vision, passion, persistence, tenacity, and collaboration of Ty Wick brought together the individuals and organizations to create the Spokane Aquifer joint Board and the Idaho Washington Aquifer Collaborative. Our region benefits every day as SAJB and IWAC work to protect our sole source aquifer.