CLASS NOTES IN MEMORIAM
Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to the families of the following individuals. Requiescat in pace. Jeanne Menoret Graham ’43 passed away on November 20, 2021. She was 103 years old. A proud life-long Oregonian and resident of Corvallis since 1946, Jeanne was among those who survived both the Spanish Flu and the COVID pandemics. Jeanne rode in Model-T cars, made her family get up very early to watch the Apollo Moon launch, and marveled at modern computer technology. She met her beloved husband, Robert Douglas Graham, at Fort Riley, KS, where she served as a nurse and Robert was a pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Bob passed away in 2004. Jeanne loved to garden and fish, was an avid Oregon State sports fan, and played tennis into her seventies. She is survived by two daughters, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Mary “Molly” Auer ’44 died on the evening of September 21, 2021, in Medford, OR. Mary grew up in Marshfield, OR, obtained her associate and nursing degrees from University of Portland’s School of Nursing, and served for two months as a lieutenant in the Army medical corps. She and her husband, Carl Auer, raised eight children together. Molly had a deep capacity for wonder and joy. She loved life, wine, food, creating things, reading, and being with family. She was a member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church for most of her life. An artist, mother, nurse, and poet, she will be deeply missed.
Robert Paul “Bob” Jones ’46 passed away on September 11, 2021, at home with his family at his side. In the fall of 1942, he enrolled in University of Portland. In December of 1942, duty called and he enlisted in the US Navy and its pioneering V12 program to help the war effort by training naval officers. He continued his education at University of Portland, transferring in May of 1943 to Iowa State College. On September 11, 1948, Bob married his high school sweetheart Vera LeJeanne Houston. They had six children together. Donald Hirtzel ’49 passed away July 21, 2021, at the age of 95. Born in Silverton, OR, Donald moved across Oregon throughout his childhood. Eventually settling in Bend, he graduated from Bend High School in 1939 and worked in the sawmills. Donald graduated from University of Portland with a degree in business administration. After working in Redmond, OR, for Consolidated Freeways, he joined the Army. In 1961, he went back to school to get his master’s in education from University of Oregon. Among many things, Donald was an avid traveler and reader. Beverly A. Block Boyd ’50 died on October 1, 2021. She graduated from University of Portland with a bachelor’s degree from the School of Nursing. Bev worked in hospitals across the country. She, her husband, and their three children moved to Roseburg, OR, in 1968 where
she worked at Mercy Medical Center from 1968 until she retired in 1993. Bev re-joined the workforce and worked at the Oregon Surgical Center and Weston Eye Clinic until 2013. She will be missed. Maxwell “Max” Freshley ’51 died on October 4, 2021. Max graduated from University of Portland with a degree in physics. He joined the General Electric Company’s Tech Grad Program at the Hanford site in Richland. In 1965, he started a career with Battelle/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, retiring in 1993 as a manager/senior staff scientist. He devoted most of his professional career to researching the development of light water nuclear reactor fuels. He met his life partner, Betty L. LaCombe, while attending Multnomah Junior College. Together they had two children. After retiring, Max enjoyed numerous hobbies and activities and was fortunate to have had an active life well into his late eighties. Max’s nature was to be thorough and precise in every undertaking. He will be missed. David Hall Yee ’51 passed away peacefully on, August 24, 2021, at his home surrounded by family. David was born in Guangdong, China. After graduating from University of Portland, he was drafted into the Army and served from 1952 to 1954. In 1955 he married his beloved wife, Feng Chen. He worked at the Bureau of Mines for 31 years, retiring from a career as
a research chemist in 1986. David loved fishing and camping, traveling up and down the west coast with his trailer and camper van. He was an active member of the Chinese Scientists, Engineers and Professionals Association of Portland. Donald Butsch ’52 died August 26, 2021. Born and raised in Mount Angel, OR, Donald married Robinette “Bobby” Amen in 1948. A hero of the “greatest generation,” Don served in both theaters of World War II in the 86th Infantry, winning the Bronze Star. Don lived a life of service, practiced pharmacy for over 50 years, and served both city and state in numerous elected and appointed capacities. He will be missed. Dan Duffy ’55 passed away on October 24, 2021. At University of Portland, he majored in psychology. It was at a pep rally that he first encountered a freshman named Boots Murphy. He would reconnect with Boots a few years later, after he entered the US Air Force. They were married on June 14, 1958. He retired from the Air Force in 1987 and retired from his phone company job a few years later, turning his attention to golf, volunteering, happy hours, and more golf. He will be greatly missed. Richard “Dick” L. Lang ’55 died on October 3, 2021. Dick was a partner in a downtown Portland law firm for many years and lived in the city all of his life. After graduating
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