Named for an airplane crash; operated from a mortuary - and now they are dead.

When writing about Columbia Pacific University's building, in the "Accredited" forum just now, this sequence came to mind.

1. When the founders (Carr and Crews) and the consultant (me) were sitting around trying to think of a name for the impending new university (on Feb. 11, 1978), and "Northwest California University" was the frontrunner, someone noticed that morning's San Francisco Chronicle, whose main headline was about fatal crash of a Columbia Pacific Airlines plane in Washington. The rest is history.

2. CPU bought, for its offices, back in the days when there were about 40 employees, a recently-closed mortuary, which they remodeled and used for about 15 years.

3. Now they are dead.

 

Who are dead? Carr, Crews and the consultant?

 

How ironic. One would think that the naming of anything based on death would foreshadow things to come.

RIP

 

Merc: How ironic. One would think that the naming of anything based on death would foreshadow things to come.
================
Indeed. When the mortuary was remodeled, the staff lunch room was the former embalming room. People were so uncomfortable there, some sort of exorcism was done (this is Marin County, remember), and they seemed happier.

There was a guest room for visiting faculty or staff, which had been the mortuary owner's bedroom. There was an immense bell on the wall of that room, connected to the "night doorbell" outside. Even though it had (apparently) been disconnected, it ws hard to have a calm night's sleep in the shadow of that device.

 

Whatever became of the building?


Bruce

 

Bruce: Whatever became of the building?

John: Nothing very exciting. Some sort of management consulting organization, I think.

 

Perhaps the former embalming room is where they ended up keeping transcripts and records.
In the times I went to that building, I always wondered why there was a bell going off and very somber looking people hanging outside a "will call" door. I just assumed the cart had a catered lunch on it.

 

Greatful Dead

Dr Bear speaking about dead I am a veteran of around a hundred shows (and have the tapes around someplace to prove it) isnt there a place I can get college credit for that?

 

Mike: Dr Bear speaking about dead I am a veteran of around a hundred shows (and have the tapes around someplace to prove it) isnt there a place I can get college credit for that?

John: I am pretty well convinced one can get credit for just about anything, if it is written up appropriately in a portfolio (and not just from the Garcia Institute for Music Appreciation).

John Bear (who may be the only person
who can list "Consultant to the
Grateful Dead and to the FBI" on
a resume)

 

I get a kick out of reading that every time that I read your biography that's in your book!

Darren.

 

Don't be so sure. While I never met any of the members, in the early 1980's I did review - no kidding - "The Grateful Dead Qualified Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans." (But I guess you could say I worked for the group's corporation - not the group itself. So I guess your claim is valid.)

 

also worked for the Dead

I also had the chance to work for the Dead (and we beat the BGP team in softball)
(nothing left to do but smile,smile,smile)