LAPUSH — Quileute tribal fisherman mourning the deaths of three Eastern Washington men and the apparent death of their grandfather in a boating incident off the Quillayute River bar have sent 500 pounds of seafood to the men’s family.
Quileute Tribal Chairman Russell Woodruff confirmed Monday that 300 pounds of cooked crab and 200 pounds of smoked salmon were taken to the family this weekend to express the tribe’s condolences on the deaths.
James Starr, 20, of Spokane, and Ryan Floch, 21, and Andrew “Drew” Floch, both of Odessa, died of exposure after their fishing boat capsized off the Quillayute River bar.
The three men’s grandfather, the 67-year-old Rev. Tom Starr of Spokane, is missing and presumed dead.
Their Boston Whaler fishing boat was found capsized Aug. 30 north of Little James Island.
“Our community is just feeling and caring for the family,” Woodruff said. “We as the Quileute have experienced this before.”
Betty Starr, the wife of the missing reverend, said Monday she was surprised by the tribe’s sympathy for the family.
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