Spokane lawyer, activist Scott Lukins dies

Prominent Spokane attorney and civic activist Scott B. Lukins died Sunday in Spokane. Lukins, 81, was among the attorneys who in 1972 founded Lukins & Annis, one of the largest law firms in Spokane. He had been a partner in other firms the previous 10 years, and earlier had worked for Ford Motor Co. He was a graduate of Harvard University, class of 1951, and the University of Washington School of Law, 1954. After receiving a master’s degree in tax law from the New York University School of Law in 1955, Lukins enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in Germany before moving to Spokane to begin his legal career. Lukins was born in Colfax and attended school in Clarkston. He was a leader of many Spokane business, education and cultural organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Spokane Symphony, and Northwest Community Foundation. He and wife Betty in 2004 created the Scott & Betty Lukins Fund to support the arts, Girl and Boy scouts, and public radio and television. Lukins was a member of the Washington State University Board of Regents from 1985 to 1997, presiding in 1989. He helped organize six banks, and in 1996 was appointed to the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board by President Bill Clinton.