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05/18/2018
John Reitz BS ’48, BM ’49 writes: “I must say that life is good here in Oro Valley, Arizona. I’m still playing in two large jazz bands, which rehearse weekly and play one or two gigs monthly. I also play in a very busy trad-jazz band (The Dixiecats). My Northwest group, the Harbor Patrol Jazz Band, was booked once again for the Clark County Fair for six days in August 2018. This was our 23rd consecutive year at that fair. We must be doing something right. Playing trumpet in creative jazz groups makes life really interesting and enjoyable, and in this 94th year of my life, my health could not be better, walking about a mile daily and doing the gym five times each week. My former wife died last December at age 93, and my present wife of 34 years, Carroll, is a delight. How could life be better for a nonagenarian? My best to you all.”
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02/13/2018
John Reitz BS ’48, BM ’49 writes that he would “be delighted to be there [at Alumni Weekend], joking and toasting my classmates graduating from L&C in June 1948 and June 1949. Unfortunately, I am committed to attend the reunion of the Panther Veteran’s Association in Jacksonville, Florida, at that same time. This veteran’s association is formed from those of us who served (and survived) in the 66th Infantry Division in World War II. Our service was chasing the Germans out of France, across Bavaria and into Austria. It’s a very special group in that last year there were only 16 of us WWII veterans left from the 14,000 who served; however, there were 267 next-generation relatives who made it fantastic. We spawned neat kids. I look back with great admiration to my two and one half years on our beautiful campus.”
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06/25/2017
John Reitz BS ’48, BM ’49, a WWII veteran and one of 15 surviving members of the 66th Infantry Division, attended the group’s annual reunion in Louisville, Kentucky, in summer 2017. Reitz says he’s been attending since the events started in 1969, and he’s only missed one. Reitz worked with radio equipment during the war, and was on deck when the SS Leopoldville, the ship carrying his division to reinforce soldiers at the Battle of the Bulge, was hit by a German torpedo. Reitz was lucky enough to be able to swim to safety, but 800 service members were lost that day. He says “the traditions and the friendships” are what keep him coming back for reunions.
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12/12/2016
John Reitz BS ’48, BM ’49, who invigorated the Snack Shack that once existed below Albany Quadrangle with jazz music, continues to play trumpet. Reitz, along with his Harbor Patrol Jazz Band, performed at the Clark County Fair in Vancouver, Washington, in August. It was the 20th consecutive year the band had played at the event.
CAS Class Notes
Most Recent Updates
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Steven Mitchell Carpenter died July 16, 2016, after a short illness. He was 61 years old.
Steven was born April 8, 1955, in Miles City, Montana. He attended The Dalles High School in Oregon. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in French, he worked as the assistant regional director of public affairs for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Portland. He then earned a JD, following which he worked in private practice, focusing on products liability and professional malpractice defense.
Steven joined the Professional Liability Fund (PLF) as a claims attorney in 2000. He spoke and wrote widely on lawyer liability issues, but will be most remembered for his compassion for lawyers facing malpractice claims. Throughout his professional career, Steven made many friends and enjoyed working with many wonderful colleagues.
A former member of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, Steven was an avid supporter of all the arts. His passions included cooking, traveling (especially to France), and his Dobermans.
Steven is survived by his parents, Don and Juanita Carpenter; his brothers, Mike and Lynn Carpenter; nephew Kyle Carpenter, with his wife Jennifer and their son Conley; nephew Cory Carpenter, with his wife Karyn; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as countless friends.
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Patricia Barnard Stipe BA ’50, August 13, 2016, age 89. Patricia worked in the Swan Island shipyards, contributing to the war effort. When the war ended, she married Tom Stipe. After a stint in New York City, the couple returned to Portland, where Patricia opened a children’s clothing store in Lake Oswego. The couple raised three children and lived in Eastmoreland for more than 50 years. Patricia enjoyed playing the piano and was active with the Oregon Symphony, the First Unitarian Church, and the Eastmoreland Garden Club. Survivors include her three children, Bob, Paul, and Anne, as well as three grandchildren.
