Mitchell A. Kink

Mitch Kink, born March 3, 1923, passed away peacefully in Bellingham on Saturday, January 25, 2014. In the early 1900’s Mitch’s parents, Paul and Maria (Mary) came to the south side of Bellingham from Komiza, a small Croatian fishing town on the island of Vis. They lived the rest of their lives on the south side where they worked hard and raised 5 children. Mitch was predeceased by brothers, Peter and Dick and sisters, Victoria and Marie.

Mitch attended Bellingham High School and starred on the basketball team. He graduated and attended Western Washington College of Education (now WWU). He played basketball there as well. He married Jean Frances Meehan (1920 – 1997) and shortly thereafter joined the Navy during WWII. He served in the South Pacific operating crash boats, picking up downed pilots, and landing craft. Following his service he returned to Western and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

Mitch began a long and rewarding teaching and coaching career at the Burlington-Edison School District. He served on the Washington Education Association’s Board of Directors representing teachers from Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Mitch also enjoyed refereeing basketball games at all levels and was a member of the Whatcom/Skagit Officials Association.

Mitch could be found at most WWU men’s and women’s basketball games and as well as at area high school games with his best friend, Andrew Zanchi, often at his side.

Mitch was proud of his Croatian roots and his nearly 70 years as a commercial fisherman in Puget Sound and Bristol Bay, Alaska where he fished on purse seiners with his father, uncles and other relatives. In the early 1950’s, Mitch began gillnet fishing in Bristol Bay. He was elected to serve as president and served as general manager of the Alaska Independent Fisherman’s Marketing Association (AIFMA), an organization representing interests of Bristol Bay’s commercial fishermen. Through AIFMA, Mitch helped fishermen negotiate fish prices, advocate for fishermen before Congress and Alaska state agencies and successfully pursued an anti-trust lawsuit against fish processors.

Mitch, a lifelong Democrat, had a keen interest in politics. He managed his brother, Dick’s six successful campaigns for the State Legislature. Closer to home Mitch was elected to the Bellingham City Council and was an advocate for building height restrictions along the Bellingham waterfront. He was a longtime member of the Washington Club.

Mitch was known for his great sense of humor, his stories and the sparkle in his eye when the stories took a “creative” turn.

Mitch is survived by his two sons, Steve (Joann) and Mitchell Jr. - “Butch” (Wendy), his three grandchildren, Joseph and Jared Kink and Megan Kink Katzenberg, seven great-grandchildren, and extended family and many friends.

Donations in his memory can be made to Whatcom County Hospice, 2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225 or to the campaign to protect Bristol Bay by stopping the Pebble Mine project in Alaska at Save Bristol Bay Alaska Office, 3105 Lakeshore Drive, Anchorage, AK 99801. A celebration of Mitch’s life will be held at Westford Funeral Home at 11 AM on Monday, February 3rd. A reception will follow. Committal will follow at Bayview Cemetery.