IN MEMORY OF SIG

Long time Islander, Sigurd “Sig” Mordre passed away on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at the age of 83. Sig acquired an infection in his blood and the damage to his organs was swift. The ICU team at Swedish Cherry Hill did an amazing job in giving him a fighting chance. In the end his body was unable to beat the infection.

Sig was born in Oslo, Norway and spent much of his youth in Bergen. After graduating high school he went to a science university in Copenhagen, Denmark where he earned a MS in Naval Architecture. Near the end of his education in Copenhagen he met the love of his life, Harumi Makimura, at the Japanese embassy. He completed his degree and made his way by cargo ship to Japan to marry Harumi in 1964, they were married for 58 years. They then went to Sweden for two years before immigrating to the United States just in time for their daughter (Yumi) to be born in Seattle. Sig also shared in the joy of his only grandchild, Erik.

Sig loved being on the water. Vashon was the perfect location for him to call home. He spent many years commuting by kayak to Brown’s Point or by motor boat to Breakwater Marina or Des Moines marina, where he left a car to then drive to work. He liked to say his ferry never overloaded nor left him at the dock. His first job in the United States was with Ederer Cranes where he designed one of the cranes on the Grand Coulee Dam. He then had a short stint at PSI before going to Admac, Flow Systems and Flow International which developed the technology of high pressure waterjet cutting. He was the manager of the Research and Development Lab and had many a tale to share.

Sig was active in the community on Vashon, interested and willing to participate in steering committees and eager to have a conversation to share his thoughts. He was also an ongoing contributor with donations to organizations that were important to him, one of them being the Vashon Schools Foundation.

He will be missed by all who loved him.

Due to the pandemic there will be no service at this time.