Austin “George” Chambers

Austin “George” Chambers II died peacefully at home on April 7, 2015 surrounded by his family after a very short battle with pancreatic cancer.

George had an interesting and eventful life starting with his October 14, 1933 birth in Beverly Hills, CA to Dr. Stanley and Ada Chambers where his father was a dermatologist to “the stars”. George grew up on Lido Island, Newport Beach where he excelled at sailing and tennis.

After graduating from Willamette University in 1955 and serving two years in the Army, George returned to Stanford University where he completed his Masters in History and met his wife, Flo.

George’s occupations took him from the CIA in Washington D.C. to advertising in Chicago, Illinois. An opportunity to move to Spokane to be the Director of Advertising for the 1974 World’s Fair brought George and family back to the West. In October 1974 the family moved to Mercer Island. George held a variety of positions in marketing before retiring in 2000 from Children’s Hospital.

Always civic-minded, George enjoyed his activities at Emmanuel Episcopal Church where he was involved in the outreach and music programs. A member of Mercer Island Rotary for almost 12 years, George helped introduce Rotary’s Four-Way Test program to the Mercer Island’s Islander Middle School students.

George is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Flo, son Peter and wife Melissa and daughter Emily and husband Frank. Survivors also include four grandchildren, Austin, Levi, Annaka and Luke Chambers, and numerous nieces and nephews.

George will always be remembered for his welcoming personality, radiant smile, great sense of humor and love of music.

The family wishes to thank their friends and neighbors for their support.

A celebration of George Chambers’ life will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Mercer Island, Saturday, April 25, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers a donation may be sent to Rotary Foundation, Mercer Island Rotary, P.O. Box 1, Mercer Island, WA 98040 or to Emmanuel Episcopal Church’s Social Action Fund, 4400 86th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040.