Family members of the late Jim Adamson gathered in front of Cascade Medical, where the Cascade Medical Foundation dedicated a plaque in his honor.
“It’s beautiful,” said Carol Adamson, Jim Adamson’s widow. He passed away in February 2015. “He would have been so honored and humbled by the presentation.”
to the late Jim Adamson.
Adamson was one of the founding members of the Cascade Medical Foundation and served as president for 16 years. Established in 1992, the nonprofit has raised more than $1 million for Cascade Medical Center, including the purchase of an ambulance in 2015, the clinic expansion in 2012, digital mammography in 2009, the aquatic therapy pool in 2008 and a CT scanner in 2004. He was instrumental in every fundraising campaign and helped create the Foundation’s most successful event, the Leavenworth Golf Classic, which is held every June.
“We wouldn’t be here to serve the community without the Foundation,” said Diane Blake, CEO of Cascade Medical. “I wish I could share with you all the letters we receive from people who were hurt or scared and found comfort here. That’s all possible because of people like Jim, who started the Foundation.”
After the unveiling, Foundation members and family shared stories of Jim, a well-known woodworker and community organizer. Adamson built Cascade Medical’s large wooden conference tables and the Adirondack chairs that were so popular at every golf tournament auction. Foundation member Gerri Passage fondly remembered the wooden kazoos Adamson hand-carved and gifted to all of his neighbors and friends.
“He was always really positive, and made us feel welcome,” Passage said. “He was always promoting the medical center here. He made us want to get involved.”
Adamson was also a leader in the Rotary clubs of Moses Lake and Leavenworth, where he served for more than 50 years. Adamson recruited everyone he knew to Rotary or the Foundation, many of whom still serve today.
“Once he got to know you, he’d ask, ‘How busy are you?’” Davis said. “That’s how a lot of us got on the board was Jim pointing out things that needed to be done.”
Bob Adamson, Jim and Carol’s second son, is now serving on the Foundation board.
“I’m not sure where his passion for service came from, but I know it was contagious,” said Jim Adamson, Jr. “A lot of us in the family are involved in Rotary and many other organizations.”