In Memoriam, Fall 2019

1940s

Lore Labby ’47, April 24, 2019, age 93.

1950s

Susan Blair BS ’51, April 19, 2019, age 89.

Joan Schwinge BA ’51, April 29, 2019, age 90. In 1952, Joan married Norman Schwinge BS ’51 after meeting him while working on the Lewis &Clark Pioneer Log. In 1955, the family moved to Pacific Palisades, California, where she continued her career as a teacher. In 1979, they moved to San Juan Island, Washington, and bought and remodeled a hotel they named the San Juan Inn. Joan was an active member of her community and a world traveler. Survivors include her children, Robert, Craig, Mark, and Scott; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Thomas M. Manfull BS ’52, May 4, 2019, age 89. In 1952, Manfull married Georgia Kosola in Vancouver, Washington. In 1957, they moved to The Dalles, Oregon, where Manfull worked as manager of Mayflower Milk. Later, in 1962, he purchased and ran the Ranch Restaurant in Hood River, Oregon, where the family moved in 1964. In 1966, he opened Tom’s Drive In; he ran both restaurants for years until retiring and selling in 1984. Survivors include his children, Jeffrey and Julie; four grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.

Shirley Englund BM ’53, April 6, 2019, age 88. Englund was a music teacher at the Community Music Center in Portland for more than 20 years. She was also a devoted member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization Sisterhood and a lover of books, music, wine, and family. Survivors include her children Greg, Lizbeth, and Brad; two grandchildren; and other family members and friends.

Keith B. Rislove ’53, April 27, 2019, age 88. Rislove worked in graphic design and advertising in the Portland and Salem areas. He retired in 1990. When he wasn’t working, he coached Little League and went skiing with his daughter. Later in life, Rislove brought his artistic sensibilities to bear as a wildlife painter. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Jeri; daughter Leslie; two grandchildren; one greatgrandchild; and many other family members and friends.

Orval K. Jacques BS ’54, June 5, 2019, age 88. Jacques worked for Boeing in Seattle, Washington; Cascade Manufacturing in Portland; and then the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement in 1991. He was a member of the Kiwanis, the Elks, and the Shriners. Survivors include his nieces and nephew, Sandra, Catherine, and Kelly; several great-nieces and greatnephews; and many other family members and friends.

Jean Marie Peterson BS ’54, March 11, 2017, age 85.

Dr. Betty Thompson BS ’56, April 2, 2019, age 84. Thompson built her career at Oregon Health & Science University, where she served 27 years as a member of the anesthesiology faculty, training hundreds of resident physicians. Shortly before her passing, OHSU awarded her with a lifetime service award. She and her husband, John, established the Betty B. Thompson, MD, Endowment for Student Education and International Service in 2008. Survivors include her husband of over 60 years, John; children Kathleen and Scott; and two grandsons.

Keith Harcourt BA ’57, June 20, 2019, age 84. After graduating from Lewis &Clark, Harcourt completed his medical training at the University of Oregon Medical School (now Oregon Health & Science University) and practiced general surgery in Pendleton, Oregon, for 32 years. After retiring, he remained active and volunteered with several organizations, including Hospice of Pendleton, the Oregon Public Health Advisory Board, and his church. Harcourt is survived by his wife, Patricia Akse Harcourt BS ’57; children Matt, Brian, and Joyce Harcourt-Meyersick ’85; brothers Hugh Harcourt BA ’52 and Scott Harcourt; and two grandchildren.

David Sellers BA ’57, June 7, 2019, age 85. Sellers met Clara Wright BS ’58 while at Lewis & Clark, and the two were married in March 1957. Soon after graduation, they moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where Sellers earned a PhD in clinical psychology from Vanderbilt University. Eventually, the family returned to Portland, where Sellers taught at Lewis & Clark until 1965. Later, the family moved to Washington, D.C., where Sellers worked for the CIA. In 2001, Clara passed away. Sellers later married Dianne Shiner, and the couple moved to Freeland, Washington. He loved spending time on Whidbey Island, where he had a home. Survivors include his wife, Dianne; six children; three stepchildren; 16 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Ronald C. Benfield BS ’58, March 18, 2019, age 83. In 1959, Benfield married LaRita Riggs, and the couple moved to Newport, Oregon. He worked as finance director for Central Lincoln People’s Utility District. Outside of work, Benfield was an active community member, serving on various committees and boards. In retirement, he and LaRita traveled in their RV and enjoyed fishing, camping, and hiking. In 2008, LaRita passed away. In 2014, Benfield and Valerie were married. Survivors include his wife, Valerie; children Kathryn and Daniel; three grandchildren; and other family members and friends.

Daryle Steffen BS ’58, August 2, 2018, age 81. After graduation, Steffen served in the army for two years. Upon returning to civilian life, he married Peggy Kestie. Steffen worked as a social worker and was an active member of his church. He also loved tending to his garden. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Peggy; children David, Peter, and Philip; and seven grandchildren.

Wesley C. Strahm BS ’58, June 18, 2019, age 83. In 1963, Strahm cofounded Weatherly’s, a wholesale building supply business, which he helped run until retiring in 1995. During retirement, Strahm enjoyed spending time at his Black Butte home with family and friends; playing golf; and traveling. Survivors include his wife, Sharon; his son, Doug; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Mary Zoe Petersen BS ’59, February 23, 2019, age 81. Petersen was a community organizer, volunteer, and owner of Gresham Optical/Custom Eyes for 30 years. She married Larry Petersen in 1960. The family moved to Seattle for a short while before returning to Gresham, Oregon, in 1975, where she was an involved and recognized member of her community. Survivors include her husband of 58 years; children, Eric and Zoe Ann; three grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.

Earl R. Rogness BS ’59, May 8, 2019, age 81. Rogness was successfully self-employed in the insurance industry. Outside of work, he enjoyed training his dogs for field trials, golfing, and fishing. After retiring in 1995, he lived in Neahkahnie, Oregon. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Mary; his daughters, Anne and Emily; and one grandson.

1960s

Wilbert Coburn Freer BA ’60, February 26, 2019, age 79, in the Episcopal Church Home, Rochester, New York. Born in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Freer grew up in Portland and attended Lewis & Clark, where he studied mathematics and English. After earning his PhD in English from the University of Washington, he taught English and creative writing at the University of Arizona, the University of Montana, the University of Oulu (Finland), the University of London, and the University of Georgia. Throughout his 40-year career, he wrote and presented on topics related to 16th- and 17th-century English literature. He also wrote two books: Music for a King: George Herbert’s Style and the Metrical Psalms (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1972) and The Poetics of Jacobean Drama (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1982). He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Ramona, as well as two daughters and their families.

Walter Sparks BS ’61, May 25, 2019, age 80. Sparks began teaching in 1962, in Philomath, Oregon. His career spanned 37 years, ending in the Oregon City School District. Survivors include his wife, Joan; children Douglas and David; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

John C. Flanagan ’63, April 20, 2019, age 77. Flanagan married Pauline Denyer in 1963, and together they raised their children in Portland. After earning a master’s degree in social work in 1969, he be came a social worker and thera pist. In 1988, he launched his private practice in Portland, which he ran until retiring in 2014. Survivors include his former wife, Pauline; children Timothy and Heather; and five grandchildren.

Jimmie McGill ’63, May 11, 2019, age 80. After attending Lewis &Clark, McGill worked in the office of a certified public accountant. In 1961, she married Don. McGill loved to read, solve crosswords, and listen to music. She also had a strong memory and passion for history. Survivors include her husband, Don; her daughter, Kristan; and many other loving family members and friends.

Michael K. Lee BS ’68, May 15, 2019. After graduation, he attended the San Francisco College of Podiatric Medicine in Oakland, California. His career flourished, and by the time he retired in 2011, he had been practicing podiatry for nearly 44 years with clinics all over Honolulu. When he wasn’t working, Lee enjoyed competing in marathons, triathlons, and Ironman competitions. Survivors include his wife, Roze; children Juston and Jon; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.

Keith Cooperrider BA ’69, June 27, 2019, age 72. Following graduation, he toured the United States and settled on the East Coast in 1970. After working for NASA for two years, he joined the national headquarters of the Unification Church as executive assistant to the president. In 1975, he married Sara Sack, and the couple settled in New York City. In 1982, Cooperrider became controller for the Washington Times and later chief financial officer, a post he held for 33 years. In his spare time, he loved spending time in nature with his family. Cooperrider also remodeled homes with his wife. Survivors include his wife, Sara; his children Caner, Kensy, and Kara; and two grandchildren.

Laurence Sams BS ’69, April 5, 2019, age 73.

1970s

Michael G. Murray BS ’70, June 24, 2019, age 70. Murray was a lieutenant in the Marines. In 1976, he married Jan Bigham in Waco, Texas.

Missy Dalgarn BA ’75, July 12, 2019, age 66. She, along with her twin sister, Mindy Dalgarn BS ’75, founded and operated the Mop Shop in Elizabeth, Illinois. Survivors include her two siblings.

1980s

Dorothy Ruff BS ’60, MAT ’83, February 23, 2019, age 81. After graduation, Ruff worked for Portland Public Schools as an elementary school teacher, career that would span 34 years. She retired in 1994. A frequent volunteer, Ruff enjoyed reading, hiking, and cats. Survivors include her children, Gregg and Kristan, and four grandchildren.