Jack Block

Legendary former Seattle Port Commissioner Jack Block died of cancer on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, 2020. Jack was 86 and born on August 17, 1934. Jack graduated from West Seattle High School, attended the Univ. of WA where pledged Sigma Chi, and received his BS in International Trade. Then into the US Navy to complete his military service for several years.

Jack ran and lost four races for public office in 1965, 1966, 1969, and 1971. Jack won his 1973 race to become a Seattle Port Commissioner and served for 28 years, the longest serving Seattle Port Commissioner. The Jack Block Shoreline Park in West Seattle was named for him as a tribute to his service by the Port of Seattle.

Between 1974 and 2001, Blocks leadership helped transform the Seattle waterfront into a world class port, wooing shipping lines to Seattle, bringing cruise ships to Elliot Bay, and modernizing cargo handling with huge cranes. As a long time fisherman, environmental issues were close to his heart. Expanding public access along the waterfront, cleaning up toxic sites such as Terminal 5 and 18, and along the Duwamish River shoreline, were priorities for him.

Block is survived by wife Vicki Schmitz Block, daughters Joey Mabe, Natalie Ramelow, and Heidi Wallace, and son Jack Block Jr., plus eight grandchildren and three greats! He was preceded in death by Fran Block, his first wife.

Seattle Times Story about Jack Block