Douglas Iver Tilden
March 7, 1931 - January 5, 2011
Obituary
Douglas Iver Tilden was born March 7, 1931 in Ettington, Saskatchewan and passed away January 5, 2011 in Normandy Park, surrounded by his family. Doug was the son of immigrants to the Canadian prairies who farmed wheat. He worked his way through the University of Saskatchewan, prospecting for uranium and washing dishes at the Chateau Lake Louise in the summers. Doug studied engineering at college, played football two years, and met his wife of 56 years, M. Cecile Monaghan. It was during this period he was also afflicted with the polio virus. He graduated with an Engineering degree in 1953. Doug and Cecile were married May 4, 1954 and moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to start their family and their life together. After a brief period in Tulsa, including the birth of their first two children, they moved to Stillwater for a year where Doug obtained a Master’s in engineering from Oklahoma State University. They next moved to Houston, Texas for two years, where their third child was born, before accepting a job with Boeing in Huntsville, Alabama. Doug and Cecile lived in Huntsville for 15 years and had three more children while living there. During their years in Huntsville Doug was involved in the race to the moon, working on the Saturn/Apollo Vehicle and the Lunar Roving Vehicle. He was awarded the Astronaut’s ‘Snoopy Award’ for his role in the Lunar Roving Vehicle and Apollo 15. In 1973, Doug and Cecile moved their family to Seattle. Doug retired from Boeing in 1993, concluding his career working on the International Space Station Freedom. Doug was a King Scout, a Scoutmaster for 10 years, and a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, one of Scouting’s highest honors. He was also the Father of four Eagle Scouts. He is a past President of the Alabama Society of Civil Engineers. Doug is survived by his wife, Cecile, by his son Jeff Tilden of Mercer Island, Jeff’s wife Robin Silver, and their children Saul and Max, by his son Ron Tilden of Woodinville, Ron’s wife Gail, and their children, Eric, Allison and Hannah, by his son Brad Tilden of Issaquah, Brad’s wife Danielle, and their children, Lauren, Jacquie, and Maria, by his daughter Julianne Arns of Federal Way, her husband William Arns, and their children, Katherine and Keith, by his son, Kevin Tilden of San Diego and his spouse Philip Diamond, and by his daughter, Kathy Lorenz of Issaquah, her husband Michael Lorenz, and their children Douglas and Annie, and by his sister, Marion Sceviour, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
A funeral service is scheduled for Monday, January 17 at noon at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Burien. A reception will follow in the Parish Unity Hall, after which time he will be interred at a family event at the BONNEY-WATSON Washington Park Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the March of Dimes, in memory of Doug Tilden, 1904 Third Avenue, Suite 230, Seattle, Washington 98101.
Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with all of you. What an incredible man and family!
Delores, Heather and Ryan
To Cecile and family,
I had the pleasure of working with Doug at Boeing 30 yrs ago and will always remember how amazing he was. He was not only an outstanding engineer, but always practical in arriving at common sense solutions to difficult problems. He was a solid leader who earned the respect and trust of all with whom he dealt and always kind and gracious. Doug never backed away from a challenge, despite his physical condition. Traveling, for example, had to be especially difficult; but to those he traveled with one would never be aware of the hurdles he had to overcome. He became an inspiration to all who knew him showing that a positive spirit can overcome even the most challenging of obstacles. Although I never had the pleasure of getting to know you Cecile, I’m sure you played an unselfish, major role in supporting your beloved husband throughout his amazing life; as I’m sure is the case with your children, too. May he rest in peace in God’s hands. Bless you all.
We are with the Handi-capables Club
in Sun City and Doug was a member. We can only give you our heartfelt sympathy. He was agood man and loved by all…
The Herrin family has many fond memories of Doug as a Scoutmaster, friend and a very nice person. He was a remarkable man that we will never forget. Cecile, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your wonderful family at this time.
Love, Marian Herrin & family
Cil,
We are so blessed to have known Doug.
He was a wonderful man and will be missed greatly. He will remain in our hearts forever. We send our sincerest condolences to you and your entire family.
Love you much,
Annie and Ed
Cecile & Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Mark and Lori
Jeff and family,
Your father was an inspiration to us all.
Chuck
To Doug Tilden’s Family
Please accept our condolences on the loss of Doug.
It was an honor to know him and to be in his graduating class at the UofS.
Sincerely, Nancy and Ron Schramm
Dear Mrs. Tilden, Although I never had the priviledge of meeting your husband I do know your son Brad. I am sure that Brad is a reflection of what a fine man your husband was. Please know that you and your family are in the thoughts and prayers of myself and my family.
Sincerely,
Gary Beck
Doug was a good friend and neighbor and will be missed.
I and my boys Kevin and Brian remember scouting with Doug in Huntsville AL. in 1971-73. Where he was the scoutmaster of our BS troop, while I was the BS district comm. We had many great outings together, including several Jamborees, and one nat’l. Doug was a great leader. We returned to Bellevue,in 1973. Randall & Claudette Ainsworth
I recalled hearing about my mum’s cousin Doug. I would like to have met him. He made a difference in this world. His mum Alice was a great lady as I recall. I don’t remember his dad Iver too well. They lived in Moose Jaw until their passing. On behalf of his distant relatives in Canada I’d like to pass on our late condolences to his family.