William Ellsworth Yake
March 9, 1947 - December 12, 2022


Environmental Scientist, Poet

William Ellsworth Yake, American Environmental scientist, poet. Board of directors, treasurer Olympia Poetry Network, since 1993, Olympia Zen Center, 1995-1996. Member Washington Poets Association Beta Kappa.
Background
Yake, William Ellsworth was born on March 9, 1947 in Spokane, Washington, District of Columbia, United States. Son of William Albert and Barbara (Ellsworth) Yake.

Education
Bachelor of Science in Zoology, Washington State University, Pullman, 1969; Master of Science in Environmental Science, Washington State University, Pullman, 1972; Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, 1977.

Career
Investigator, Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority, Spokane, 1973-1977; head ambient and compliance monitoring section, Washington State Department Ecology, Olympia, 1977-1987; head toxics investigation section, Washington State Department Ecology, Olympia, 1987-1993; senior scientist, Washington State Department Ecology, Olympia, since 1993. Member Puget Sound Research Council, 1986-1989. Member Lake Roosevelt Science Advisory Board, 1992-1995.

Achievements
William Ellsworth Yake has been listed as a notable Environmental scientist, poet by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership
Board of directors, treasurer Olympia Poetry Network, since 1993, Olympia Zen Center, 1995-1996. Member Washington Poets Association Beta Kappa.

Interests
Avocations: poetry, photography, distance running.

Connections
Father:
William Albert Yake
Mother:
Barbara (Ellsworth) Yake
PS. This link will lead to a handful of relevant, self-made videos: https://yake325.wixsite.com/bill-yake-poetry/videos
And this one to a few representative broadsides: https://yake325.wixsite.com/bill-yake-poetry/poems-broadsides

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Waymaking by Moonlight
New and Selected Poems, from Empty Bowl Press (Anacortes).
https://www.emptybowl.org/store
Should you be interested in a copy, options include:
1) Getting a signed copy directly from me:  yake@comcast.net ,
2) Ordering from Empty Bowl( https://www.emptybowl.org/store/waymaking-by-moonlight-by-bill-yake ), or
3) Ordering from your favorite independent bookstores or Amazon is also an option.

William Ellsworth Yake
March 9, 1947 - December 12, 2022

Obituary of William E. Yake
An Olympia poet and scientist, William E. “Bill” Yake died after a brief illness on December 12, 2022, in Olympia, Washington. He was 75 years old. Memorial Service to be announced at a later date.
Bill was born in Spokane, Washington, on March 9, 1947, and grew up in the South Hill neighborhood. His parents were William A. and Barbara (Ellsworth) Yake. He was an honors student at WSU, where he also earned Master’s degrees in Environmental Science and Environmental Engineering. He first worked for Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority. In 1977, Bill moved to Olympia and began work for Washington State Department of Ecology. He retired as a Senior Scientist in 2002.
Bill was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, scientist, poet, musician, photographer, and philosopher. As a scientist, he directed investigations into the toxic contaminants in water, fish, and sediment. Since retirement, he has traveled to Papua New Guinea, China, Mongolia, Peru, and many other places around the world. As a poet, he has published several collections and his poems appear widely in anthologies and publications serving the environmental and literary communities. He was a long-time member of the Olympia Poetry Network.
He leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Jeannette Barreca; his son, Matthew (Liza Rietz); two grandchildren; siblings, Tom Yake, Mary Wolenski, Betsy Flatbush; and many nieces and nephews.
You may view a photojournal of his life at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/vFxxYQuqVAcxQDyi9
Donations in his name may be sent to Capitol Land Trust, 4405 7th Ave. SE, Suite 306, Lacey, WA 98503; or The Nature Conservancy at https://preserve.nature.org.

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