Carl Mitford Unruh, 75, died Dec. 2, 2003 in Port Townsend Wash. He was born April 28, 1928 in Hutchinson, Kansas, He moved with his family to Wichita, Kansas, where they lived for a number of years. He attended the University of Kansas graduating with a Master of Science Degree in Chemistry. He worked as a senior staff scientist for Battelle Northwest in Richland, Washington, retiring in 1986 after 34 years of service. He and his wife, Doris were married in Grandview, Washington in 1956. After his retirement, they moved to Port Townsend, where the lived at Kala Point for 14 years.
He was a member of the American Nuclear Society, American industrial Hygiene Association, a life member of the Health Physics Society and served as its president. He was active in the Golden Spike Gem and Mineral Society of Ogden, Utah and The Intermountain Faceters Guild; he was the editor of their Newsletter “Off-The-Dop.”
Carl was one of the Dare-Devil-Faceters who were challenged to cut Giant Gem Stones. He edited “The Faceter’s Gem Bulletin” starting in the early 60’s, printed booklets about faceting CZ, “Cutting Your First Five Stones,” and “The Faceter’s Gem Cuts.” He was in great demand as a speaker at Faceting Conferences around the West. He won a Master’s Award in 1967 from the NFMS in Eugene, Oregon for his faceting display. He was currently serving on the Long Range Planning Committee for the NFMS.
He and friend Iral Nelson spent over a year in exploring the Sunstone beds near Plush, Oregon – one week here, another one there – a year was soon accumulated. His hobby at home in Kala Point was making friends with the raccoons that came to visit at his Kala Point home. Each had names, and he shared some of their antics whenever he visited with us. He was good at flipping pancakes and served many breakfasts in our trailer. The faceting hobby was always discussed when he was with any group; anyone listening gleaned many tips about the art of faceting.
He is survived by his wife Doris, and at his request, no services were conducted. Memorials may be made to Jefferson General Hospice, 834 Sheridan, Port Townsend, Washington 98368