Al and Sandee Kirkwood each grew up in tiny Washington towns, but as retirees they’ve made a big impact on Clark County.
The couple was recognized Tuesday as the 2018 Philanthropists of the Year during the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington’s luncheon. Al Kirkwood, who started Big Al’s bowling centers after retiring as executive vice president from Kiewit, said they were “very honored, very grateful and very blessed” to accept the award.
Al Kirkwood grew up in Cle Elum working on his parents’ feed mill. Sandee grew up in Quincy; her father died in the war and her family sometimes struggled to make ends meet.
“To this day, that is what kindled in Sandee her empathy for women’s and children’s issues,” said friend Jo Marie Hansen.
The Kirkwoods met in their freshman year at Washington State University, married their junior year and had three kids and several grandchildren (who have so far defied their lineage and became University of Washington grads).
All the while, Al Kirkwood climbed the corporate ladder: Over the decades he rose from engineer to executive vice president at Kiewit building freeways, dams and buildings. He was an early investor in Vancouver’s waterfront development and started Kirkwood and Kirkwood, a development company and parent company of Big Al’s. Meanwhile, Sandee was spending time on boards for various organizations and shaping their giving philosophy.
“It was all Sandee,” Al Kirkwood said. He got more involved with philanthropy after retiring in 2004 after 40 years at Kiewit. “I was too busy with my business running around the country. I just didn’t get involved, not until 14 years ago. That’s when I went through kind of a transformation; I decided to serve on a couple of boards and really get with it and work with my sweetheart to see what we could do.”
He said he wishes he could’ve gotten involved decades ago like some of the younger philanthropists attending the luncheon, such as Brett Bryant, who was honored as the Friend of the Foundation.
“I could’ve done more,” Al Kirkwood said, adding that he hopes they can be good shepherds of the blessings they’ve had.
The Kirkwoods include their children and grandchildren in their philanthropy decision-making. They’ve supported organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington, Clark County Food Bank, Share and contributed funds toward Open House Ministries’ family resource center that’s under construction.
Steve Hansen, who’s worked with Al Kirkwood since 1969, said, “I’ve had the opportunity to see his leadership, his ability to listen well and be compassionate to those he hears from and his clear ability to organize a project from vision to reality. He’s taken those gifts and skills of leadership, compassion and organization into their philanthropy.”
In an interview with The Columbian, Sandee Kirkwood described herself as a “worker bee” who just wanted to help. She’s always had a passion for helping children in particular. She started a project with her daughter and granddaughter providing clothing to children in need, an effort that continues through Northwest Children’s Outreach.
“They’re quiet and humble donors,” Steve Hansen said.
The Columbian is a media sponsor of the Community Foundation’s luncheon.
