Worker memorial
Since 1950, 61 Washington State Department of Transportation employees have lost their lives in work zone-related activities. Each spring, WSDOT holds a Worker’s Memorial to honor those fallen workers and remind everyone about the importance of work zone safety.
2024 WSDOT Worker Memorial Ceremony
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 | 10 a.m.
Ceremony will be recorded and available on WSDOT's YouTube channel. Photos of the ceremony will be posted to WSDOT's Flickr page.
Rodney C. Wheeler, June 30, 2023
Bruce H. Cowing, May 16, 2016
Billy "Bud" Rhynalds, January 16, 2011
Myron "Neal" Richards, November 19, 2009
Wayne "Jake" Baardson, August 12, 2002
Samuel E. Williams, February 22, 2000
Steven L. Brown, February 18, 1998
Edward J. Fabeck, October 6, 1994
Michael D. Malone, June 4, 1993
Gordon J. Burlingame, July 17, 1992
Donald E. Fritsvold, August 21, 1991
Patricia L. Oberg, July 19, 1989
Loren L. Wharton, February 8, 1988
John D. Swan, October 11, 1985
Joseph C. Craig, October 11, 1985
Richard L. Androsko, August 28, 1984
Robert J. Forrest, July 7, 1982
Robert N. Johnson, February 14, 1982
James C. Wishard, May 19, 1980
Dermot R. Moore, January 21, 1980
Russell H. Barker, December 14, 1979
George D. Adair, December 5, 1979
Edward N. Abrams, September 9, 1977
William L. Cook, May 24, 1977
William L. Ashley, August 3, 1976
Harold L. Gustafson, August 31, 1973
William T. Owens, June 15, 1971
Ray T. Collie, February 28, 1970
Donald G. Barden, November 20, 1969
Harold J. Allen, June 30, 1967
Wallace D. Wright, October 22, 1966
George J. Heaton, June 18, 1966
Claude M. Waterman, June 18, 1966
Charles O. Williams, February 2, 1965
Lee W. Robinson, October 30, 1964
Gary Davis, December 11, 1963
Vernon E. Curtis, March 20, 1963
Eino Mattila, December 12, 1962
William F. Holmes, June 14, 1960
James P. O'Neil, January 27, 1960
Francis E. Baker, May 9, 1959
George H. Mulfinger, May 8, 1959
Harrell J. Shull, April 29, 1959
Clarence R. Sluder, October 4, 1957
Knute Johnson, October 4, 1957
Lucien L. Houston, February 22, 1957
Andrew Kaelberer, Dec 27, 1956
Albert E. Holman, September 19, 1956
Edward Bowles, July 5, 1955
Fred G. Tegtmeier, March 7, 1955
Henry D. Wills, April 16, 1954
Joseph F. Franz, September 21, 1953
Paul J. Yandt, July 29, 1953
Ray Wittig, February 4, 1952
Rollow S. Clark, November 20, 1951
William R. Pitts, August 20, 1951
Richard I. Temple, March 30, 1951
L.A. Parton, February 13, 1951
Charles P. Getty, January 23, 1951
Laird D. Chambers, December 15, 1950
Frank E. Potter, December 1, 1950
Slow down – lives are on the line.
In 2023, speeding continued to be a top reason for work zone crashes.
Even one life lost is too many.
Fatal work zone crashes doubled in 2023 - Washington had 10 fatal work zone crashes on state roads.
It's in EVERYONE’S best interest.
95% of people hurt in work zones are drivers, their passengers or passing pedestrians, not just our road crews.