V.A. “Nick” Bacher died Oct. 16, 2008, from respiratory complications following open-heart surgery Aug. 11. He had been in Virginia Mason Hospital for 67 days, 62 of those in critical care.

Nick was born in Port Townsend on Sept. 24, 1936, and was a graduate of Stanwood High School, Yale University and the Harvard Graduate School of Business.

He and his wife, Glennis, lived all over the country while Nick managed consumer-products companies, mostly in the food industry.

He lived at Useless Bay from 2004 through 2007, and was on the Bayview Beach Water Board.

Besides enjoying the incredible view from his home on Soundview Drive, Nick’s favorite things on the island were finding everything he needed at Ace Hardware, picking out his Saturday night steak at Payless, dinner at the Fish Bowl and buying espresso for Glennis from Southern Cross Two so he could chat with Megan and Heather. Nick and Glennis moved to a condo in Edmonds earlier this year.

Nick influenced countless people with his intelligence, humor, love of life and care for others.

Besides Glennis, his wife of 45 years, he is survived by one niece and her children. Considerate of Glennis to the end, Nick requested no public service.

Memorials may be made to Everett Gospel Mission, 3711 Smith Ave., Everett, WA 98201.