Something magical happens when the ball drops at midnight on December 31st. Aside from it suddenly being the highly anticipated new year, it is the moment we have all been waiting for; a fresh start! It is the chance to start eating healthier, exercising more, saving money for the future, and to learn a new skill. The new year offers opportunity for planning adventure and focusing on self-improvement. But, sometimes, even the best laid plans can crumble in a moment. That reality hit us a few days into this new year when a friend of ours suddenly passed away. The loss of a man so close to us has left us reeling. It has made us reflect on how fragile life is, and has helped reinforce the importance of family and friends. This month, we wanted to write a tribute to Randy, an extraordinary architect and our dear friend. We want to share with you who he was, and what he meant to the Wren & Willow family.
In Memory of Randy Gould November 6, 1964 - January 12, 2019
Randy at one of our summer events.
Randy with Josh Ketter and Cliff Kendall in Peru
If you visited the Wren & Willow showroom, you have experienced Randy's architectural gifts and were touched by him without even realizing it. Randy designed the renovation for our 1917 building and helped us achieve the feeling of being transformed into another era. Every change he suggested only enhanced it beyond our imagination. Each time we walk through the front doors of our building, we are reminded of his amazing talent.
Randy reviewing plans on the job site of the Wren & Willow building.
Randy describing his vision for our building.
A rendering by Randy of our building on Pearl Street.
The original floor plan, designed by Randy.
In 2010, our team had the opportunity to travel to Peru for a community service project in the city of Huanta. Randy joined us and together we designed and remodeled a kitchen for a local missionary family. While we were there, Randy also began the plans for a large community center in Huanta. Randy grew up as a missionary kid in Paraguay. His ability to speak Spanish fluently was a huge asset to us. The local people he interacted with instantly felt a connection with him, and it was obvious how much he respected them and their culture.
Our team with a grandmother and her grandson in Peru.
Randy in a machine shop in the town of Huanta.
Randy measuring for the community center in Huanta.
The Peru Team reunited in Tacoma, August 2018.
Randy's love for life and big laugh could be felt wherever he went. He was always up for a good story and we loved sharing those with him, just so we could hear his contagious laugh. We are so sad to lose our dear friend and we are praying for his wife, Julia, and their daughters, Lucy and Sophie, as they grieve the loss of their husband and father. We will miss you, Randy.
In lieu of our monthly giveaway, we wanted to offer you the opportunity to give to Randy’s family. Please consider contributing to a fund that has been established to offset costs and benefit his girls. Send checks made out to “Randall Gould Benevolent Fund” to BCRA, where Randy worked as a senior architect.
BCRA
2106 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma,WA 98402
Attn: Tanja Bishop
Tanja Bishop can be reached directly at
(253) 820-0994 or tbishop@bcradesign.com
She can also provide account routing information for direct deposit, if requested.
Renderings of the front and back of our building, designed by Randy.
