Bellevue, Wash.  – With Veterans Day approaching, Bellevue resident and WWII Navy veteran Sherman “Bud” Bushnell is sharing a life lesson he learned in military service: “Serve your country and you will appreciate even more the freedoms we strive to protect.”

Bushnell served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946 aboard the Escort Carrier CVE 112 “Siboney” as an electronics specialist servicing radar and other electronics aboard ship. He sailed in the South Pacific, Philippines and Japan.

A resident of Pacific Regent Bellevue, Bushnell is one of dozens of veterans sharing life lessons they learned in service as part of a nationwide project spearheaded by Watermark Retirement Communities.  The veterans interviewed served from WWII through Desert Storm and presently reside at Watermark communities from coast to coast. Watermark welcomes the public to view Veterans Life Lessons and post personal stories and sentiments in an on line forum at www.watermarkcommunities.com/veteransday.

“These brave veterans served for us, now we’re proud to serve them,” said Watermark spokesperson Jill Hofer.  “We learn so much from our residents every day and this project allows us to share a bit of their wisdom with others.” 

Bushnell’s years in the Navy were the beginning of a lifetime of adventure on the water. Prior to moving to his luxurious residence overlooking Lake Washington, Bushnell lived in a float home and spent a year sailing around the world with his wife and two of his children. He is an avid rower, a hobby he took up at 58. Bushnell is also a successful inventor of commonly used machinery, including the Genie forklift.

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Bellevue, Wash. – Watermark Retirement Communities has announced the appointment of Rick Guthrie as Executive Director for Pacific Regent Bellevue, 919 109th Avenue NE.

Guthrie brings more than 30 years of leadership experience with seniors housing/healthcare operations throughout the Northwest. The graduate of Gonzaga University has also served the professional community as President of United Nursing Home Association, President of Washington Healthcare Association, and Member of the Legislative Committee for the American Healthcare Association. Twice appointed by two Washington Governors to the State Nursing Home Advisory Council, Guthrie has also been recognized as Administrator of the Year by the State Activity Directors Association.

“Serving seniors motivates me every day. I truly love our mission statement, ‘we’re committed to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive,’ said Guthrie, who came on board June 4.

“It is an additional privilege to be associated with Watermark Retirement Communities for my first time,” he said. “Watermark has an established reputation as a leader in innovative service to seniors nationwide.”

Watermark Retirement Communities resumed management of Pacific Regent Bellevue on June 1, after a five year hiatus.

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Watermark Retirement Communities Reappointed as Manager for Fountains Portfolio

Watermark Retirement Communities, Inc., formerly Fountains Retirement Communities, has been reappointed as manager for 16 retirement communities previously managed by Sunrise Senior Living, announced David N. Barnes, President/CEO of Watermark Retirement Communities.

“Watermark was the obvious choice for managing the Fountains portfolio because we know the communities so well,” said Barnes.

After selling 18 properties within the Fountains brand to Sunrise in 2005, Fountains Retirement Communities was renamed Watermark Retirement Communities. Over the past four years, with his partner David Freshwater, former Fountains CEO, Barnes has grown Watermark’s management portfolio to 11 communities plus three home health agencies in six states. The addition of the Fountains portfolio brings Watermark’s total managed communities to 27 in 16 states.

“We very much look forward to the coming weeks and months as we personally welcome back so many former residents and associates into the family of Watermark communities. It feels like we’re putting the band back together,” stated Barnes.

Watermark Retirement Communities has owned and operated successful, innovative senior housing communities for more than 20 years. According to Barnes, Watermark is committed to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive and a culture where everyone is encouraged to express their creativity, passion and inner child – to express their true selves. As a result, Barnes says, Watermark communities are full of spirit, character, compassion and adventure.

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