Former Pasco educator, senior official Finke dies

Art Finke, who went from serving as a principal in Pasco schools to running the city’s senior center, died Monday at age 85.

Finke was a teacher and also became principal at John McLoughlin Junior High School, which later became Pasco City Hall, according to Herald archives.

Finke went on to serve 11 years as Pasco’s senior services coordinator. He oversaw the senior center when it went through a nearly $1 million expansion in the mid-1990s.

The expansion included a library, television room and an expanded multipurpose room to accommodate more seniors during dances.

He later joined the Franklin County advisory board for Aging and Long Term Care. He dealt with the Yakima-based agency’s closing of its offices in the Pasco senior center to consolidate with the Benton County office.

Finke was born in Spokane and lived in the Tri-Cities for more than 60 years, according to his death notice. He died at Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House.

Finke was married to former Franklin County Clerk Bev Finke. According to the Pasco School District, they had three children — Jeff, Renee and Cary — who all graduated from Pasco High School.

This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 6:38 PM with the headline "Former Pasco educator, senior official Finke dies."