Seattle architect Warren Rutley Pugh was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 29, 1920. Raised in the Minneapolis suburb of Robbinsdale, Pugh remained close to home for his formal architectural education, having earned an architecture degree at the Dunwoody Industrial Institute (1941), a private technical school. Upon graduation he moved to Seattle and took a job as an engineer with Boeing Airplane Company.

After WWII, in 1946 he joined John W. Maloney’s architectural firm and while there he became a key player to the firm’s success working on a variety of hospitals, churches and schools across the state. After working for Maloney for 18 years, in 1965 Pugh decided to open his own firm in Auburn.

During this latter part of his career, he reportedly designed numerous residential and commercial buildings. Known projects include the Commercial Productions Studio in Seattle (1968); the Burien Veterinarian Hospital (1968); additions to Olympic Junior High School in Auburn (1968); the Auburn School District Bus Repair Center (1969); the Auburn Manor Mobile Home Park Clubhouse (1969, with Jack Woodman); and Enumclaw Lanes (1969), a bowling alley.

During the 1960s Pugh was active in the AIA, serving on the Urban Design Committee (1963-65), and the School Design Committee (1964-1965). In his private life, he was a long-time member of the Lions Club and served for 50+ years on the board of the Shorewood Community Club in various capacities.

Later in life he worked as the project manager/architect for the Valley Medical Center in Kent and continued to pick up small independent architectural commissions into the 1980s. Known projects during this time include a spec house for builder C.P.I. Enterprises in Burien (1982); and an office for Robert Jerstedt (his son-in-law) in Bellingham (1986).

Pugh passed away on June 11, 2009, in Des Moines, Washington, at the age of 88.

– Michael C Houser