A Seattle attorney is setting up a $25,000 endowment and memorial scholarship for Renton Technical College’s automotive programs.

Denis Stearns is making the scholarship in memory of his brother and father, giving $1,500 per year for 10 years.

His hope is that the scholarship will eventually pay for tuition for an entire year.

“Renton Technical College Foundation is humbled by the generous gift Mr. Stearns has pledged in memory of his beloved father and brother,” said Jamie Williams, executive director of the RTC Foundation.

Stearns’ brother, Brent Stearns, was a graduate of the RTC automotive program and shared with their father, Wayne Stearns, a great love of working on cars. The Stearns family lived just a few blocks from the RTC campus for almost 50 years.

“Many times we have seen the promise of an education get truncated because of lack funds,” said Dante Leon, Dean of Automotive, Technology and Distance Learning.

Stearns is a founding partner and principal of the Seattle-based law firm of Marler Clark.

The scholarship is expected to be available to RTC Automotive students fall quarter 2010.