Lake Washington 130 Homes
The author, David C. Dykstra, lives on Mercer Island waterfront and has extensively cruised, photographed and researched the lake and its waterfront estates. His previous books are ''Computers For Profit,'' ''Easy Data Computer Comparisons'' and ''Manager's Guide to Business Computer Terms.'' He has published numerous articles about computers and management information. David earned a BS in Chemical Engineering degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1963, an MBA degree from Harvard in 1966 and a California CPA license in 1977. In 1966 he started a career in accounting, finance and administration with Texas Instruments. His last major corporate position was Executive VP and CFO for TreeSweet Products Company in California. TreeSweet was a major U.S. producer of juice products that was later acquired (and its name disappeared) by NY-based Seneca Foods Corporation. In 1980 he started his own consulting firm in Newport Beach, California. He specialized in helping small and mid-sized business with their accounting and financial needs and converting to computer systems. He wrote numerous articles and two books based on his consulting experiences. In 1994, after 25 years in Newport Beach, he came to the Pacific Northwest on a consulting job and became a California to Washington State convert. He met his wife, Susan, and they were married in 2001. She has lived on Mercer Island waterfront for thirty-five years which is where they reside. He previously enjoyed cruising Newport Bay and a major delight was seeing the mansions that graced the shores. He recalls seeing John Wayne and other celebrities on their docks waving to the boating passersby. He transferred his cruising enthusiasm to Lake Washington which he enjoys even more because of the beauty of the lake's immense natural setting and wonderful large estates. In 1998 he recalls seeing Bill Gates with his new child in his arms standing on his dock and he friendlily waved to his group as they cruised by. Unfortunately, since 9/11 cruisers rarely see celebrity waterfront residents but they still enjoy seeing their homes and estates. During his cruises there were always discussions about the homes and who lived there. A lot of friends were knowledgeable but their information was limited and sometimes based upon secondary sources. His friends and relatives would often say, ''There should be a guide book about these homes' physical statistics and history plus information regarding the present and past residents and owners.'' He was challenged, since he is a writer and photographer, to research the public information and produce such a book. He accepted this challenge. As he delved into the project he found many intriguing stories. The reviewers of the first drafts commented, ''Your statistics, current information, history and stories of the homes, their residents and the surrounding areas is fascinating reading for almost anyone not just the lake's boaters and cruisers. And your photographs bring all your written words to life.'' He expanded the initial scope to offer a book in a style that has never been used and will be interesting to a wide audience.