In Memoriam

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.

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.

Herbert F. Williams BS ’51, March 29, 2018, age 91. After serving in the Navy, Williams earned his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Lewis & Clark. He taught eighth grade in Nome, Alaska, completing his master’s degree at Columbia University during summer breaks. Eventually, he moved to Estacada, Oregon, to assist his father, who had suffered a stroke. There he continued to teach, served as a volunteer fireman, and sang in a barbershop quartet. Williams was the first African American president of the Oregon Volunteer Fireman’s Association. Upon retirement, he moved back to Portland and spent his time volunteering and working with the community.

Robert R. Warner BS ’47, February 7, 2018, age 95. Warner married Nancy Burness, with whom he shared 72 years. He started his career in education at McMinnville (Oregon) High School and then worked in sales, eventually retiring from Nordstrom as a men’s clothing salesman. He loved baseball, basketball, and football. Survivors include his children, Greig, Trina, and Nancy; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Edgar W. Tomlin ’57, September 8, 2017, age 82. Tomlin worked in radio engineering, a career that enabled him to travel throughout the United States as well as in Mexico, Botswana, and Morocco. He loved storytelling and was fascinated by history and genealogy. Survivors include his children, Khristina and Edgar, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Robert E. Taylor BS ’56, June 1, 2018, age 87. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a master sergeant, wife Patricia and family moved to Portland in 1954. After graduating from Lewis & Clark, Taylor taught business classes at Pacific Business College and later served as department head at Franklin High School. Over the course of his career, Taylor held many administrative leadership and educational positions at various Portland-area schools. After retirement, he served as a curriculum consultant for the Lane (Oregon) Education Service District. Taylor loved art of many kinds–written, heard, and seen. Survivors include wife Carol; children Mike, Dan, Casey, Joe, Rachel, and Katie; and six grandchildren.

Robert H. Snider BS ’63, April 6, 2017, age 77.

Carl E. Smith ’57, April 1, 2018, age 82. After graduation, Smith met Patti Hart, and they formed the Patti Hart Trio, with Smith playing tenor saxophone and flute. He also started Carl Smith and the Natural Gas Co., a 12-piece band. In addition to being a great lover of jazz, he spent lots of time outdoors. Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge were among his favorite places to visit. Survivors include his second wife, Karen; seven children; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Marilee Scheer ’54, January 26, 2018, age 86. While at Lewis & Clark, Scheer met and married Dale, and after graduating, they lived in Vale, Oregon. She earned advanced degrees in music and education at Northwest Nazarene College and the University of Oregon. Scheer served as a music teacher in the Eugene and Greater Albany school districts, a music administrator in the state of Oregon, and a principal of Millersburg and Periwinkle elementary schools. An active member of her community, she was instrumental in bringing her family together for frequent reunions. Survivors include husband Michael as well as children Lorene, Steve, Mark, Bruce, and Shelley Lute.

James D. Raines BS ’57, March 10, 2018, age 84. After graduating from Lewis & Clark, Raines studied speech therapy and hearing pathology at Oregon Health & Science University. He worked as a speech and hearing consultant for Vancouver Public Schools; served as executive director of the Vancouver Education Association; and worked as director of the Washington Education Association. Away from the office, Raines enjoyed performing in Off Broadway productions on the East Coast. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Wilma; a son-in-law; and many loving nieces and nephews.