Ward Wyatt Deems, FAIA

November 16, 1929 - September 6, 2009

Ward Wyatt Deems, FAIA, --- Architect and founder of the firm Deems Lewis McKinley Architects passed away on Sunday, 6 September, 2009 at the age of 79 years in Bend, Oregon. His influence on the architecture of San Diego included numerous award winning designs and landmarks such as the San Diego Convention Center, Torrey Pines High School, UCSD Humanities Library, San Diego Main Post Office on Midway, US Border Crossing at San Ysidro, 600 B Street Financial Square Building, Industrial Indemnity Offices at 3255 Camino Del Rio South in Mission Valley, Cordura Publications in Scripps Ranch and the Armand Hammer Research Facilities at the Salk Insitute in La Jolla.

He grew up in Pasadena, California and received a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1953 from the University of Southern California (USC). Deems joined the Los Angeles firm of Albert C. Martin and Associates in 1954 where he was soon joined by USC classmate William (Bill) Lewis. In 1959, Deems travelled to San Diego with Lewis to establish the firm that has borne their names for the past 50 years. One of their initial San Diego designs was the Crabtree Office Building at 301 A Street.

Deems was passionately committed to the architectural profession. He served as President of the San Diego Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIASD), President of the California Council of the AIA (AIACC) along with numerous local and national committees and volunteer efforts. In 1973 Deems was inducted as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) for his community and national contributions and for his enduring influence on the profession.

Over the years, Deems' firm spawned many notable and talented architects that went on to provide numerous and enduring contributions to San Diego and elsewhere.

In recent years Deems resided in Bend, Oregon with his wife, Nancy. He remained active in the USC Foundation. He took a special interest in the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and served as architectural consultant to the Institute for several years before moving to Oregon.

Deems is survived by his wife Nancy, sons Jeffrey Deems of Seattle and Jeremy Deems and his wife Paula of Boulder, Colorado, and daughter Sheryl Biere and husband Peter of Seattle and three grandchildren.

The family suggests any donations in Ward Deems' honor be sent to Hospice House in Bend, Oregon, or University of Southern California School of Architecture or Salk Institute for Biological Studies.


Thoughts from the DLM Family

I was saddened to hear of Ward's passing. When I was a young lawyer he designed our Rubin, Seltzer, and Solomon law office building at 4th and Quince. I felt honored to have him as a respected client. But he was more than that. I considered Ward to be a friend, and I enjoyed our times together whether for business or just to have a friendly lunch. He had character and integrity, and I held him in very high regard. I've missed him since he moved away, and I'll miss him even more that he's now moved beyond reach.
Herb Solomon

We have all lost a great employer who brought us fascinating projects and inspired us.
Bill Cecil

I am so saddened to hear of this loss for all of us who had the opportunity to know him. We were all so pleased to have Ward and Nancy with us in the Pacific Northwest these past many years. Bend was a terrific retreat and home for them.
Kirk Pawlowski

Ward had that energy and love of life with seemingly everyone he met; he certainly did with me, the few times I spent with him. But what a charmed life; an unforgettable one.
Glen Rasmussen

Thanks for letting everyone know of this unfortunate news and the following tribute that is obviously just the tip of the Ward’s professional and personal iceberg. The regrettable passing of Ward makes all of the efforts to create and host the DLP reunion in January, even more special. Thanks
Jerry Shonkwiler

I always admired Ward's leadership. I was the bookkeeper for 6 years and I remember those years as being GREAT.
Elizabeth Nemeth

I was in San Diego over the weekend and was reminded of the reunion party. That led to a flood of memories of times at DLM in particular working with and learning from Ward and Bill.
Our profession has indeed lost a passionate and talented Architect.
Jay Tittle

Thanks for sharing the note on Ward's passing, he was quite a guy and did so much for architecture in San Diego, a sleepy little town when he and Bill opened their office.
Len Zegarski

Oh, such sad news. I've always said I never met a better "business man" than Ward. I think anyone would have done well to model themselves after him. I feel I learned all I ever knew about the business environment from him - no better example. I feel for his family.
Susan Bowden

I share your sadness at Ward’s passing. Thanks for including me our your distribution list, I’ll pass the news on to the partners and ex-partners here at LMN, as several knew Ward well. He was a very smart and gifted person.
George Shaw

I will always have fond memories of his great zest for life and our profession.
Perry Dealy

I first experienced the energy and passion of Ward during the Fall of 1978 while still in my 4th year of studying architecture in San Luis Obispo. He was presenting Torrey Pines High School at the AIACC design conference in Long Beach. His was the last presentation of the conference. Ward brought an energy and passion that was absolutely unforgettable. As he had done so many times, Ward lit up that room in Long Beach after it had become tired and half asleep. It was obvious that Ward loved the profession, the craft of designing places for people and making a positive contribution for the profession of architecture.
Wally Gordon

Also sorry to hear of Ward’s passing.
It’s nice to see you carrying on the torch of the old firm and the wonderful 50th anniversary gathering last winter.
Bob Perry

Ward was truly a great man. Of the many individuals that I have met in my life only a very few have made a lasting impression on me. Ward Wyatt Deems was one of them. As an Architect and businessman he was inspirational. I feel fortunate to have known him and blessed to have worked for him.
Dave Terry

Ward was a terrific force and mentor for those of us just graduating and for those of us with years of experience. The practice of architecture needs to be passionate and clearheaded. Achieving excellence requires sensitivity and courage. We learned all of these and more from Ward. Thank you for sharing him with us for so many years. You remain in our thoughts.
Kirk R. Pawlowski