Bellingham's first transit director dies at 82

DEAN KAHN

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Ed Griemsmann came out of a career in the military to lead Bellingham's early transit agency with a firm hand tempered by a sense of humor and by dedication to customer service.

"The first real bus system we had was when Ed took things over," said Tim Douglas, Bellingham mayor when Griemsmann held the transit job. "He had a relaxed style, but it was very clear that Ed was in charge."

Griemsmann, who also served a short term as Bellingham port commissioner, died Monday, Aug. 25. He was 82.

A celebration of his life will be held at Westford Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, with military honors, followed by a reception at Westford's Broadway Hall.

Born in New York, Griemsmann earned a student license to fly when he was 16. He served as an airborne gunner with the Marines during World War II, and joined the Air Force in 1946 to become a pilot. He stayed with the Air Force for 24 years, much of it flying for the Strategic Air Command.

Griemsmann moved to Bellingham to study urban planning, then became the first and only director of its Municipal Transit Agency, starting in 1973. He resigned in 1989, saying he was tired of transit bureaucracy and urging a merger by the city's and county's separate transit agencies. The merger came three years later.

Griemsmann was the driving force behind creation of the first downtown bus terminal in 1980. A plaque honoring him adorns the recently remodeled station.

Griemsmann hired Richard Walsh, now Whatcom Transportation Authority's general manager, as a bus driver in 1978.

"He had the ability to inspire," Walsh said. "He was a clear communicator; there was no pretense about Ed Griemsmann."

In early 1990, Griemsmann was appointed to replace T.B. "Tut" Asmundson, who had resigned as a port commissioner. He sought election to a full port term in 1991, but lost to Scott Walker.

Griemsmann was active in civic affairs and with Bellingham Central Lions Club, and was a community columnist for The Bellingham Herald. In addition to flying - he once flew a small plane round-trip to a high school reunion in New York - he loved boating, baseball and golf.

While Griemsmann was transit director, a delegation from Nakhodka, Bellingham's Sister City in Russia, paid a visit. Nakhodka's port director didn't like the idea of staying at Griemsmann's house, but Griemsmann soon had the dignitary up in his open-cockpit biplane flying loops and seeing the sights.

"That guy still talks about his time with Ed Griemsmann," Douglas said, "how crazy it was and how much he enjoyed it."

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Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008

Bellingham's first transit director dies at 82

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