FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 23, 2008 George H. Bartell Jr.: 1916-2009

Tradition of customer service and company growth continued under longtime head of family-owned drugstore chain SEATTLE, WA--George H. Bartell Jr., Chairman Emeritus of Seattle-based Bartell Drug Co. and the only son of the company’s founder, died Wednesday (Jan. 21) in Scottsdale, Arizona after a short illness. He was 92 years old.

Mr. Bartell guided the drugstore chain through its initial suburban expansion and retail transformation following World War II. In the 1950’s, Bartell’s became the first drugstore located in a major regional shopping center—Seattle’s Northgate Mall. The company also began opening new locations in growing communities throughout King County, including Bellevue and Burien.

Founded in 1890, family-owned Bartell Drugs currently operates 55 stores in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties of Washington.

Mr. Bartell and his father, George H. Bartell, Sr., headed the company between them for 100 years, something in which he took great pride. Mr. Bartell’s son, George D. Bartell, continued the family tradition by becoming president in 1990. Mr. Bartell stayed on as Chairman of the company for a number of years until effective retirement, but he still came into the office four days a week until the age of 87 and occasionally thereafter.

“My father instilled in us what his own father had believed: respect your employees and treat your customers well,” said George D. Bartell, who later became and remains Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The current third generation of Bartells running the family business includes Vice Chairman and Treasurer, Jean Bartell Barber.

When George H. Bartell Jr., was a youngster his father asked him a question that forever changed his life: Should the Bartell Drug Co. be sold to a rival, out-of-state drugstore chain for a million dollars? The younger Mr. Bartell didn’t hesitate: He said no. His father agreed and today the company is the oldest family owned drugstore chain in the United States.

In 1935, Mr. Bartell left the University of Washington after one year of study because a doctor had informed his father that he had only a few months to live. As it turned out, his father lived more than 20 years longer--outliving the doctor.

George began at the bottom of his father’s business, moving boxes and filling warehouse orders as he learned the business. He continued his on-the-job training by working as a clerk and then an assistant store manager before being put in charge of purchasing and merchandising for the candy and tobacco departments of the Bartell Drug stores. He later took charge of store design and was named company President in 1939. Mr. Bartell was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and rose to the rank of captain.

In 1951 Mr. Bartell was confronted with another life-altering decision. A recently enacted state law required drug store owners to be licensed pharmacists. The law was later ruled unconstitutional, but at the time of its passage, it appeared that unless Mr. Bartell returned to college to earn a degree in pharmacy, the company would have to be sold when his father died. Mr. Bartell enrolled in the University of Washington after a 17-year absence and earned a degree in pharmacy in three years, graduating with honors.

Mr. Bartell grew up on Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill, attending West Queen Anne Elementary School and Queen Anne High School. His parents made an effort to develop in George an interest in the outdoors. He was an avid hiker and loved nothing better than hiking or walking. He studied maps of our State for trails to climb and logging roads to explore. Mr. Bartell was an ardent golfer for more than 80 years and a member of Seattle Golf and Country Club.

He participated in a number of civic and philanthropic activities. These included The Municipal League, the Pacific Northwest Chapter of Young President’s Organization and The Retail Trade Bureau, all of which he headed at one point in time, as well as Boy Scouts and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Rainier Club, Scottish Rite Temple and the Chief Executive’s Forum. Mr. Bartell was a supporter of the University of Washington School of Pharmacy and Husky football. Besides hiking and golfing his hobbies included gardening, traveling and an interest in Seattle area history.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth, who passed away in 2003, and is survived by his children, George D. Bartell, Jean Bartell Barber, Robert H. Bartell and 7 grandchildren.

Memorials may be addressed to the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts of America or The Salvation Army. A memorial service will be held for Mr. Bartell at 10 am on Thursday, February 5th at University Presbyterian Church, 4540 15th Avenue NE, Seattle WA.

Media Contacts:
Rebecca Siegmund, Assistant V.P. of Marketing
Bartell Drugs, 206.763.2626

Barry Bartlett
The Bartlett Group Public Relations
206.285-0673, barry@bartlettgrouppr.com