In Memoriam: Remembering Charles M. Pigott

One of the last major acts of Charles M. Pigott, a giant of industry and philanthropy who shaped the modern Pacific Northwest, was one of generosity—a gift to the students of Seattle University.

Pigott, known as “Chuck” to friends, who served as the longtime CEO and chairman of commercial truck manufacturer PACCAR Inc, died Jan. 21 at the age of 96, leaving behind an unmatched legacy that is perhaps nowhere more notable than on the SU campus.

“I'm a great believer that bright people produce the best results,” Pigott, 96, said in August during a conversation at the Bellevue headquarters of the company his grandfather founded in 1905.

A recent $5 million gift from Pigott to Seattle University established the Charles M. Pigott Endowed Deanship to oversee an expanded College of Nursing and Health Sciences, with Dr.  Butch de Castro as the inaugural appointee. The college is the new home for programs such as kinesiology, as well as newly established programs such as the Women’s Health Nurse practitioner focus for the Doctor of Nursing Practice.

“He envisioned our university playing a major role in serving health care needs throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond,” says de Castro. “His generous gifts over the past year provide the foundation to make that happen.”

For Pigott’s partnership and for his recognition of the important role that Seattle University plays in the higher education landscape in our region, Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver says he is grateful.

“Chuck was committed to Catholic education and to the Pacific Northwest,” says Peñalver. “His generous support of our College of Nursing and Health Sciences allowed us to accelerate our plans to expand Seattle University’s offerings in the health professions, enhancing our academic excellence and helping to meet an acute need in our community.”

Pigott’s philanthropy and engagement, and that of the whole Pigott family, have left an indelible mark on Seattle University and the Pacific Northwest, says Edgar Gonzalez, senior vice president for University Advancement.

“He wanted the university to be excellent and well regarded and often asked us how he could help us achieve that,” says Gonzalez. “His most recent endowed deanship is the perfect example of expanding opportunities for our students, faculty and staff.”

The extraordinary generosity of Charles Pigott and the entire Pigott family stands as a remarkable expression of philanthropy in the university’s history. A walk across campus makes the case, notably the William Pigott Building (home to the Albers School of Business and Economics), named for the PACCAR founder and Charles Pigott’s grandfather, along with the PACCAR Atrium and Pigott Auditorium.

Through the years, Pigott was a friend and advisor of three successive Seattle University presidents: William Sullivan, S.J., Stephen Sundborg, S.J., and current President Peñalver. 

As a leader of the Pigott Family he advocated for gifts through the Norcliffe Foundation during three capital campaigns of the university, says Father Sundborg, chancellor for Seattle University, who says Pigott’s greatest influence was in support of the Catholic Archdiocese of Western Washington, its archbishops and the Fulcrum Foundation.

“He took a personal interest in the modernization of Pigott Auditorium and secured a key gift that made it possible,” says Fr. Sundborg.  

Other contributions that are vital to the SU mission include gifts that have enhanced the Sinegal Center for Science and Innovation, the Chapel of St. Ignatius, the university's Student Center and the PACCAR Professorship in Mechanical Engineering, among others.

He also took an interest in ways to directly encourage academic excellence and Jesuit values by helping to establish the Sullivan Scholars program, a full tuition, housing and food, and fees scholarship for four years at Seattle University, open to two students currently attending Jesuit or Catholic high schools each year.

“Mr. Pigott was a legendary business leader and preeminent friend and benefactor of Seattle University,” says Jim Hembree, senior director of development for University Initiatives. “His vision in helping to establish the Sullivan Scholars program has enabled generations of the university’s most talented students to fulfill their academic potential and capacity for ethical and skillful leadership. His legacy will be reflected in their impact in the world.”

Beyond his contributions to Seattle University Pigott stayed active in service throughout the region, particularly in his work with the Boy Scouts of America, where he rose to the rank of Distinguished Eagle Scout and was elected National President of Scouting America. Scouting America’s Camp Pigott near Lake Hughes in Snohomish, Wash., is named in honor of Pigott, who raised funds to reopen the long-shuttered camp.

A U.S. Navy pilot and plane commander during the Korean War and an engineer by training, Pigott started working for PACAAR in 1956. The company was founded in 1906 by his grandfather, William, and Charles rose to president in 1965 and then CEO two years later. Noted for his embrace of technology and sharp business judgment, Pigott saw the company’s sales rise from $2.8 million when he first started to a booming $4.6 billion in 1995, according to The Seattle Times. He retired from his role leading the company in 1997. Mark Pigott, Charles Pigott’s son, serves as PACCAR’s Executive Chairman.