Our Condolences

Sabra Bradshaw-Wackerle, director of professional development and research at the Graduate School of Education from 1995 to 2001, ended her valiant battle with melanoma on April 1 at age 55.

A native of Abilene, Kansas, Bradshaw-Wackerle received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Kansas in 1965. Seven years later, she moved to Portland. She earned a master’s degree in special education from Portland State University in 1975.

During her tenure at Lewis & Clark, Bradshaw-Wackerle was responsible for bringing leading authors in the fields of education and mental health to the campus, including Mary Pipher, Geoffrey Canada, and James Garbarino.

“Sabra deeply felt that all teachers are treasured colleagues,” says Jay Casbon, former dean of the graduate school. “Nothing pleased her more than to engage colleagues in creating new opportunities for teachers to learn and to thrive. Her work and life have impacted more educators than we may ever know.”

Bradshaw-Wackerle is survived by her husband, Louis C. Wackerle, and her children, Curtis and Elizabeth Wackerle.

Robert Dusenbery, professor emeritus of English, died March 29 at age 86. Dusenbery grew up in Montana and served in Alaska during World War II as a code maker and encryption specialist. Upon completion of his PhD at the University of Washington in 1949, he joined the faculty at Lewis & Clark, where he taught until his retirement in 1984.

An authority in 19th-century American literature, a published poet, and an effective administrator, Dusenbery helped build the English department at Lewis & Clark (including recruiting his friend and fellow poet, William Stafford) in the decades following the College’s move to Portland. He was part of a group of former professors who gather at the College for weekly discussions in the Trail Room in Templeton Student Center.

His daughter, Roberta Dusenbery ’76, died on May 24 of kidney cancer.

In Robert’s honor, the Dusenbery family has established the Robert Dusenbery Memorial Scholarship fund at the College. Contributions to this scholarship can be sent to Bonnie Stern, associate vice president for major gifts.

Dusenbery is survived by his wife of 16 years, Molly; son, Van, and daughter-in-law, Liz Coville; son-in-law, Ken Moran; brothers, Harris and Earl; four grandchildren; stepchildren Jim Averill, Leas Averill, M’lou Growden and their families; and a large extended family.

Fred D. Fagg III, former dean of Lewis & Clark Law School, died on April 19 of melanoma. He was 68.

Fagg joined the law school in 1970 and served as its ninth dean from 1973 to 1982. During his tenure, he guided the school to full accreditation by the American Bar Association and to membership in the American Association of Law Schools.

According to James Huffman, current dean of the law school, “Fred’s leadership resulted in the enrollment growing to near its current size. He set us on the course to recruiting a superb faculty and having a national student body drawn from the best prospects from every corner of the country. We would not be where we are today without Fred’s energy, vision, and commitment.”

After leaving the law school, Fagg served as president of the Mountain States Legal Foundation; counsel in the firm of Wood, Tatum, Mosser, Brooke & Landis; and cofounder of a company that developed software to assist lawyers.

Sara Vreeland ’01, a double major in psychology and communication, died on March 26 in London of a cerebral edema. She was 22.

Vreeland is remembered with great fondness and respect by her many friends and was held in high regard by the faculty who knew her. She will also be remembered for her outreach work for Oregon Public Broadcasting, Hallinan Elementary School, and the Children’s Museum in Portland.

“Sara had a wonderful, positive personality,” said her adviser, Janet Davidson, associate professor of psychology. “She once wrote a children’s book to help children deal with bullies in schools. Sara was incredibly creative. She will be so missed.” Vreeland’s friends at Lewis & Clark gathered and went roller skating in her honor.

She is survived by sister Erica A. Vreeland; father John E. Vreeland Jr.; grandparents John Vreeland and Philip and Kathleen Martin; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family suggests donations to the Children’s Museum of San Diego or Portland.