Allan Hardenbrook Toole, 89

Allan Hardenbrook Toole, 89, was born Nov. 4, 1920, and died Sept. 21, 2010. He was the child of Allan H. Toole Sr. and Helen Hussey Toole, members of pioneer families in the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to his wife, Ainslie Palmer, he is survived by his daughter Loretta (Lorie) Toole, his grandchildren, Jason Smith, Bruce Toole Jr., Wendi Merkle and Benjamin Thompson and his great-grandchildren, Maxwell Toole, Chazz Toole, Lilly Thompson and Dahlia Merkle. Allan was preceded in death by his son, Bruce Toole.

Allan was a native of Spokane, Wash., and graduated from Gonzaga Law School in 1948, after four years of military service. He was honorably discharged a Captain in the Corps of Military Police in the European and Pacific Theaters during World War II in 1946. He became a senior partner in the law firm of Witherspoon, Kelley, Davenport and Toole in 1954. He remained with the firm until his retirement in 1990.

Allan's true passion was civic and philanthropic work. He often said his outlook towards giving to the community was rooted in his belief as an Eagle Scout: ‘Always leave your campsite in better condition than you found it.' The work he did was honored by the Spokane County Philanthropy Consortium with Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year award in 2000; in 2003, he was awarded the William Booth Award by The Salvation Army.

Allan also received the Bravo award in 1997 by Allegro Baroque and Beyond. He served as counsel and as a board member for a number of Spokane community organizations such as The Salvation Army, Children's Home Society, Spokane Symphony Society, Exchange Club, Foundation Northwest, Committee on Community Foundations of the National Council of Foundations in Washington, D.C and Second Harvest Food Bank. He was a founder of the Foundation Northwest and the Deaconess Medical Center Foundation and was trustee and counsel for both Wasmer and Leuthold Foundations. His service to the Salvation Army was predicated on the Army's service to mankind and his deep respect for those who serve in the Army.

Allan was not a member of any church because he sincerely believed that the ultimate mystery of why there is any being rather than non-being is utterly beyond the capacity of man to know.

The Toole family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to any of the organizations to which

Allan dedicated his life.

The celebration of life will be held Oct. 12, 2010, at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane, Wash., with a reception to follow. Please RSVP to AllanTooleMemorial@gmail.com or one of his family members, if you will be able to attend.

Arrangements entrusted to Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, 1306 N. Monroe St. in Spokane.