President’s Message

My does time go by!  It only seems like yesterday that we were traveling in our little Japanese jewels, driving topless down the highways and byways of our beautiful state of Washington in nice balmy weather.  All good things come to an end however as we endured increasing darkness culminating in the Winter Solstice.  The good news is we have already passed the Winter Solstice and we are already enjoying an added 30 minutes of daylight! 

We did enjoy the Christmas Season and all the joys that come with it.  Frankly, there’s no other place we’d rather be!  Winter also provides a break from our drives and activities.  Our monthly meetups with First Tuesday North End and Third Thursday Coastal socials are in full throttle as we held our first 2026 1^st Tuesday at Patrona Mexican Bar and Grill with excellent attendance!

I would like to take a moment to announce the passing of Bill Allen.  Bill was the original creator of our Puget Sound Miata Club and has been remembered as a really nice man who gave us our club’s start.  Rest in peace Bill. (see article to the right -->)

Our PSMC Board met this past January 9, 2026 to conduct our first Board Meeting for the New Year.  Our attendance was 100% and we were able to discuss many topics pertinent to our club.  In addition to our standing topics of past minutes review, club financials and membership we spent a majority of our time discussing and planning our rides for the coming year. 

Bill Bell, who has been a huge contributor to club with numerous quality drives, Sounder producer and club photographer may be leaving Washington State for greener pastures somewhere in the East.  You’ll notice when you look at the calendar that there is a lot of empty space following the midyear.  Not to worry however, we are still in the process of ironing things out and this will be filled out as things get ironed out.  As a result of this, we encounter a challenge to cover his rides which fortunately have been well documented.   

This does however provide me with the opportunity to reach out to our membership to volunteer in creating a new ride or conducting a ride that is in our vault that can be held again!  Let me, or anyone else on the board, know if you are willing to do one of these rides.  The time is now folks and we can pitch in and help with planning or help in a pre-run.  

As part of our review, we discussed our activities during the fourth quarter.  We enjoyed some great, events, beginning with my Pacific Beach Explore, our only overnighter for the year that featured a post ride get together at Tom and Cindy’s rented house.  Ross and Nancy Scott hosted their ever-so- popular Leaves to Lunch Drive and Rich Sawyer wrapped up October with his Haunted Halloween Drive.  In November Bill Bell conducted his first-ever First November Drive which, despite the rain, was a great ride in the north, ending with lunch at El Agave Mexican Restaurant in Sudden Valley. 

This past December 6^th we celebrated our annual Holiday Party Luncheon at the Patrona Mexican Restaurant in Bothell.  We take the time to honor and thanks those club members who have contributed to our club in the form of ride creation throughout the past year.  We also take time to recognize our PSMC Board members for their time and energy in keeping our great club operating.  The Christmas Grinch (Maria Riggins) paid us another visit, spreading good will and treats.  At the end of lunch an outstanding raffle was conducted with great prizes going to a large attendance.  Bill Bell was provided with a beautiful quilt (Big Foot), designed and created by the talented hands of Cindy Millar, to aid him in keeping warm during his recovery following his knee operation.

We anticipate another fun-packed year of rides and get togethers during this upcoming driving season.  Looking forward to seeing everyone out there and remember to keep on “zoom-zoom’ in”!

One of the Founders of The Puget Sound Miata Club Has Passed Away

William Gerald Allen (Bill) Obituary

Walla Walla, WA - Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to deaf parents, Bill and his brother Eddie grew up learning to communicate with their parents through American Sign Language. Despite a childhood of relatively modest means, and through the prodding and assistance of others, Bill developed the spark to seek higher education and pursued the opportunity to attend college. A serious student, he distinguished himself at Texas A&M and Southern Methodist University, graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

Shortly after graduating from college, Bill met the love of his life and future wife, Glenda Furgeson, on a double date in Dallas. They married on January 3, 1959, in Dallas, Texas. Bill worked for an industrial products company and several petroleum companies, taking the couple from Corning, New York, back to Dallas and then to Midland, Texas; Franklin, Louisiana; and Odessa, Texas, before finally landing back in Dallas, where Bill began working as an engineer for Atlantic Richfield. They began a family that would ultimately consist of three daughters, Camilla, Andrea, and Christy, and one granddaughter, Abigail.

Professionally, Bill specialized in petroleum engineering and spent much of his professional life as a project manager for Atlantic Richfield Company. After returning to Dallas, they moved several times over the years, residing in California and Alaska. Bill retired from ARCO but soon discovered he was not ready to hang up his boots. Toward the end of his career, Bill and Glenda settled in Seattle, Washington, where Bill worked as an engineer and project manager for King County Metro.

Those who knew Bill would always be impressed by his candid warmth, humor, ready smile, and lack of pretension. Bill's sharp and inquisitive mind led him toward numerous passions and interests. With a keen appreciation for automotive engineering, he was an avid sports car enthusiast, founding the first Mazda Miata Club in Seattle. A lifelong reader and student of world affairs, Bill and Glenda traveled extensively, enthusiastically absorbing the life and cultures they passed through. Bill's final retirement years were spent in Walla Walla, where he was an active supporter of the local wine and food culture, a student at the local community college, and a member of the local Rotary chapter. He was also an avid supporter of Doctors Without Borders among many other non-profits.

Ultimately, more than anything, Bill loved a lively evening of good food and company. He was fortunate in this respect that his daughters and sons-in-law enthusiastically shared his interest in the culinary and wine arts, leading to many a well-set table and well-serviced kitchen.

Bill Allen passed away at age 90 after a brief illness and was preceded in death by his wife. His was a rich and well-lived life. He is dearly missed and never forgotten. He decided to donate his body to science - specifically the University of Washington. A memorial will be held to honor Bill, and those that chose to do the same, in the future in Seattle.