Master of Legal Studies 10 In Memoriam

George Marc Choate

October 7, 1939 – September 11, 2020 Marc Choate was Emeritus Professor of Economics and Finance at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management His students and colleagues describe him as quirky (in a good way) and intelligent, a committed teacher and colleague They cite him as having had an enormous influence on the development of AGSM His research and teaching in health care financial management benefited the larger community through his service on the board of trustees of Salem Hospital His obituary lists amongst his survivors "his many graduate students, primarily from Atkinson Graduate School of Management, who have enriched his life and for whom he has always wished a good life "

Gary Gislason

January 1, 1942 – December 11, 2020 Following his retirement as professor of mathematics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Gary taught for another ten years as an adjunct faculty member at Willamette During his time at UAF, Gary was instrumental in the math department’s innovative Distance Education effort, which involved travel to remote villages in northern Alaska to teach

Susan Hammer JD ’76

December 14, 1948 – August 26, 2020 Susan served on Willamette’s Board of Trustees from 1999-2012 and was a devoted supporter of the university, particularly the College of Law, and served in many capacities to support and further the work of the law school In 1991, she was honored by Willamette with an Alumni Citation for Distinguished Achievement in Law & Public-Service She served on the boards of Oregon Public Broadcasting and the Pacific Northwest College of Art and in 2007 Oregon Business named her one of the 50 Great Leaders for Oregon Planned Parenthood Columbia-Willamette’s Susan Hammer Award for Transformational Leadership was named in her honor to recognize her leadership as chair of the organization’s board during a time when they grew from five to nine health care centers Larry Oberg

June 20, 1933 – November 6, 2020 Written by Karen Wood for BOT meeting: Larry was the University Librarian from 1992 to 2003, a time of much change and growth for the Hatfield Library Under Larry's guidance and spirit of innovation, the library embraced technology He brought Willamette into consortia with other libraries and played an active role in his profession, writing many frequentlycited articles In 2001 he was recognized by the Association of College Research Libraries for having produced two of the one hundred most highly cited publications in academic library literature His Hatfield colleagues remember and appreciate him for his support of staff and his wit

Robert Smith ’53

June 16, 1931 – September 21, 2020 Robert Smith served as a member of Willamette’s Board of Trustees since 1970 He served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1960-72, and in the US House of Representatives from 1980-95, and from 1997-1999 He served as president of the Oregon Public Land Commission between 1965 and 1969 In addition to his civic duties, Bob was a successful rancher in Burns for over 30 years He received an Alumni Citation from Willamette in 1970 and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1998 for his public service

Abigail Agustin Paz ’23

October 27, 2000 – October 2, 2020 Abigail Agustin-Paz was a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences She served as an Ohana leader, was active in Alianza and WU-CAUSA and was on the Willamette Events Board Abi was deeply involved with Willamette Academy and on the Bistro staff She is remembered for her love of her community, her kindness and her desire to make the world a better place We grieve the loss of her enthusiasm, talent, and incalculable potential and pay tribute to her memory