In Memoriam

1940s

Warren Conyne BS ’46, June 17, 2012, age 102.

1950s

Wesley Phillips Jr. BS ’50, February 4, age 87. A veteran of World War II, Phillips was active in Portland and Seattle politics. He was a legislative aid to the King County Council in Seattle from 1982 to 1993. Phillips was a Masonic Lodge member for more than 50 years. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen, his son, Mark, and a granddaughter.

Vaughn Tappan BA ’50, January 16, 2013, age 85.

Kenneth Roberts JD ’51, August 18, 2012, age 89. Born in London, he was raised there and in South Africa. During World War II, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force and was sent to Canada for his pilot training. Roberts so excelled as a flier, that, to his disappointment, he was initially made an instructor. Later he flew hair-raising “black” missions over the eastern Himalayan Mountains (the infamous “Hump”) and deep into Japanese-held South and Southeast Asia.

Roberts landed in Portland after the war, where he put himself through law school while working full time. He conducted his 40-year career at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt. The firm bore his name for many years (Schwabe, Williamson, Wyatt, Moore & Roberts). A superb trial lawyer and a respected national leader in the marine practice, he was deeply loyal to his firm and colleagues. He was also devoted to his family: his wife of 54 years, Sarah; their four children, Mary, Michael, Gregory, and Mark; and his eight grandchildren.

Dr. Robert Hilken BA ’52, January 14, 2013, age 84.

Manvel Schauffler BS ’52, M.E. ’55, January 9, 2013, age 88.

Jerry D. Shepard BS ’54, M.E. ’58, December 16, 2012, age 80.

Richard Carroll ’55, December 20, 2012, age 85.

Joyce Annala Carlson ’56, March 2012, age 77.

1960s

Toni M. Shearer B.M. ’67, February 17, 2012, age 67, after a 30-month battle with ALS (often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease). Toni married Bill Shearer BS ’68 in 1967, the year she became the first music teacher at Oak Hills Elementary School in Beaverton, Oregon. In 1971, the Shearers and their first son moved to Alaska, where the couple taught in various places including St. Mary’s, an Eskimo village on the lower Yukon River. The Shearers returned to Oregon in 1975.

When their four children were in school, Toni went back to school to earn a special education endorsement and taught in Hillsboro, Oregon. She retired in 2003. The following year, the Shearers traveled to India to work with Bharati Integrated Rural Development Society (BIRDS), a nongovernmental organization that brings medical services to a poor rural region of the country. Over the next five years, they returned there three times, helping BIRDS to open a new medical clinic, continue health education, and build a residential home for orphans and other needy children. They were honored to have the Shearer name included as part of the name of the children’s home.

Toni is survived by her mother, brother, husband, two sons, two daughters, eight grandchildren, extended family, and loving friends.

Anne C. Ford Matthews B.M. ’68, January 15, 2013, age 66.

1970s

Toni Hanush-Wyffels JD ’75, July 21, 2012, age 64, in Vancouver, Washington. Hanush-Wyffels worked as an attorney with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Portland from 1978 to 2005. She married Wilfred Wyffels in 1979. She is survived by her husband, two daughters, a grandson, and a brother.

Thomas Black JD ’77, September 9, 2012, age 64. Black earned a BS from the University of California at Long Beach, a master’s in political science at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and an LLM in taxation from the University of Florida.

For more than 30 years, Black was a partner with the Weatherford law firm in Albany, Oregon. He enjoyed travel, sports, reading, and movies. Black was known for his love of UCLA basketball and football. He also enjoyed coaching and supporting his daughters, Stephanie and Michelle, in basketball and soccer. He was active in the Linn County Bar Association, the Albany Boys and Girls Club Foundation, and the Mid-Valley Soccer Club.

Black is survived by his wife of 39 years, Stephanie; two daughters; and many other family members.

Larry Voth JD ’77, October 11, 2012, age 61. A native of Northeast Portland, Voth was always athletic and fiercely competitive. At Willamette University, he played baseball and was a Beta Theta Pi member. He met his wife, Judy, there, and they shared 39 wonderful years. After graduating from law school, he enjoyed a long career as a sole practitioner. In retirement, Voth worked as a craftsman, remodeling properties that were a part of the family business.

After the tragic loss of his son, Voth was an example to others. He became a more compassionate man. When he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at 51, he continued to be an inspiring role model. It was not unknown for him to have chemotherapy and then install French doors in a rental property during intense summer heat. He defied the odds for 11 years while he taught those around him to live and love in the present moment.

Survivors include his mother, wife, daughter, granddaughter, extended family, and his best friend, Lee Aronson JD ’77.

1980s

George “Skip” McKallip JD ’84, June 16, 2012, age 53. McKallip joined Sussman Shank in 2000. He served as chair of the firm’s environmental practice group and was on its management committee. With more than 25 years of experience, he was a leader in many significant and complex environmental and toxic tort litigation cases in the Northwest. McKallip was recognized by his peers and named in the Best Lawyers in America and Oregon Super Lawyers. He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, mother, and sisters.

Nancy Smith JD ’84, June 16, 2012, age 55, after a brief illness. Smith attended the University of Portland, where she honed her vocal talent and significant writing skills, performed as a popular campus singer, and participated in many musical theatre productions. After earning her JD with honors, she built a specialty law firm focused on consumer debt long before any other woman had achieved such an accomplishment. A generous and loving spirit, Smith was a lifelong supporter of causes that helped abused, neglected, or abandoned animals. Survivors include her parents; brothers and sisters; and extended family and friends.

Janet M. Rohrbaugh BA ’86, January 16, 2013, age 49.

2000s

John O’Neill JD ’01, August 28, 2012, age 58, from complications following a stem cell transplant. Raised in Montana, he began his career in the hospitality business, working at properties in Montana, Washington, and California. At 24, he was appointed the youngest-ever general manager of Yosemite’s majestic Ahwahnee Hotel. In 1985, O’Neill, his wife, and two sons moved to Oregon, where O’Neill became the general manager at Timberline Lodge. A third son was born. Later in life, O’Neill changed course, earning an undergraduate finance degree at Portland State University followed by his law degree at age 47.

In 2001, he opened the O’Neill Law Firm in Portland. An avid fisherman, runner, and biker, he added the sport of cyclocross in recent years, riding as a member of Portland’s Cyclepath team. He is survived by his wife, Karen; his sons, Joe, James, and Steven; his father; his sisters and brothers; and extended family.

Jennifer Ann Fletcher BA ’02, December 16, 2012, age 32.