Gerald Alfred Pryde

Gerald Alfred Pryde, a longtime Poulsbo, WA resident, died on January 17, 2022, at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale. He was 93 years old. As everyone who learns of his death says, Gerry Pryde was a true gentleman. He personified that term by his friendly demeanor, his smile, his kindness to all, and his abiding love for his family and his friends. 

Gerry Pryde lived a long and big life—93 years of what most of us would consider an adventure. He was born in 1928 in Memphis, Tennessee to John Thomas Pryde and Geraldine (Cotter) Pryde. He spent most of his childhood in Houston, Texas. He graduated from St. Thomas High School where he was a track standout. He went on to attend Texas A&M University studying engineering and participating in the Navy ROTC program. In 1948 Gerry became an Air Force Aviation Cadet. He served as a pilot in the Air Force where he received the Korean War Service Medal, Air Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Presidential Unit Citation. He had the distinction of having discharge papers from the Navy, Army and Air Force.

He married Phyllis Mae Husmann in Sacramento, California, in 1950 and a few years later joined United Airlines as a pilot. They transferred to the Seattle Domicile in 1956 and remained there for his 32-year career flying DC-3, Convair 340, DC-6, DC-8, B-727 and DC-10 aircraft. They lived in Burien and on Seattle’s Capitol Hill until 1969, when they, along with their five children, moved to the Kitsap Peninsula where they bought a nine-hole golf course converted from a dairy farm in what was then the very small town of Poulsbo, Washington. When back home from his travels, Gerry could most often be found tinkering with equipment, mowing the golf course, and remodeling the house and barn. After selling the golf course he and Phyllis stayed in Poulsbo and built a house on Ne Si Ka Bay and then, in retirement, a home on Finn Hill.

Along with his flying job, Gerry worked with the United Air Line Pilots Association in many capacities: negotiator, local council representative and Master Chairman for UAL ALPA in Chicago. He was later elected to the Air Line Pilots Association national office of First Vice President where he served for four years in Washington D.C.  In 1988, Gerry retired from United, and he and Phyllis had a plan to see the countryside at ground level as part of their GMC Motorhome Club. Unfortunately, that time was cut short when Phyllis died in 1993.

In 1995, Gerry married Rowena A. Paulsen, “Anne,” a friend who he had known as part of his “United Airlines Family” since 1956. They lived in Poulsbo until 1998, then moved to their new home above Brown’s Point, Washington with its glorious views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Their garden, friends and family kept them busy and they, too, enjoyed their travels retracing their roots in Ireland, Scotland, and England as well as a sojourn “down under” to Australia.  In 2018, Gerry and Anne celebrated their 90th and 85th birthdays together at their last big reunion with friends and family from around the country who gathered to honor them. Anne was an incredibly dedicated caregiver to him as his health declined until, sadly, she suffered health issues of her own. Gerry moved into a memory care facility in the spring of 2021. He was a gentleman to the end—introducing himself to everyone with his name and a handshake, charming the caregivers with his sweet smile and “yes ma’am” replies, all the while trying to navigate an increasingly confusing world. 

Gerry will be missed by his wife, Anne; his sons Tom Pryde, Jeff (Dawn) Pryde and stepson Brian Paulsen; his daughters Trese (Frank) Williamson, Susan (Bruce) Michelson, Anne Todd, and stepdaughter Karen (Randy) Hoffman; his former daughter-in-law Diane Johnson; and his sister, Barbara Pryde Burkus and her family. A brother, John Thomas Jr., died in childhood. Gerry was also blessed with 14 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren, and many other extended family and friends who were very important to him. We loved him and he treasured us all.
 
A celebration of life is planned for the summer. Memorials can be made to the Fife Branch of the Pierce County Library—the home of the caring librarians who curated audiobooks for Gerry as his eyesight failed.



Arrangements are entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.