In Memoriam

Don W. Wolfe BM ’60, April 25, 2019, age 86. In 1953, he married Patricia Edmonds, while serving in the Navy during the Korean War. After completing his military service in 1959, he was able to focus on his passion for music. He taught choral music at a series of Portland-area schools and was a well-regarded choral clinician and adjudicator. Wolfe served as director of music for the Apostolic Faith Church in Portland for more than 40 years. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Pat; his children, Connie, Kathleen, Gary, Larry, Debra, Cheryl, and Lori; 19 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Helen Doig West ’54, November 6, 2019, age 87. West was married to a military man and lived all over the world, eventually retiring in Renton, Washington. There she volunteered at Valley Medical Center and enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean Islands. She also liked spending time with friends in the great outdoors, gardening, solving puzzles, and eating seafood. Survivors include her daughters, Denise and Janine.

Ernest C. Weaver BS ’48, December 25, 2017, age 93. Weaver served in the army and received a Purple Heart. After completing his military service, he earned a doctorate in education and took a teaching job at Hillsboro (Oregon) High School. He later taught art at New York State College. In his later life, Weaver raised llamas and endangered birds on a ranch in West Linn, Oregon, gaining recognition for this work by the National Audubon Society. He is survived by many family members and friends. 

Eric Van Patten ’69, December 9, 2019, age 72.

Margaret Trachsel BS ’66, MAT ’73, October 15, 2019, age 89. Trachsel worked as a high school teacher and administrator. She loved gardening, chocolate ice cream, and the theatre. Survivors include her children, Tygh, Kevin, Marlee, and Michael; six grandchildren; and eight grandchildren.

George B. Thompson BA ’50, July 11, 2019, age 91. After graduating from Lewis & Clark, Thompson moved to Dallas, Oregon, where he taught high school. He later moved to the junior high school, where he switched to drama, speech, and journalism classes and took on counseling responsibilities. In 1962, Thompson moved to Portland, where he earned a master’s degree in counseling. He then returned to Dallas. For more than 20 years, he worked as the guidance counselor for Dallas Junior High School, now LaCreole Middle School. He retired in 1988. Survivors include his four sons, Carl, Lee, Robert, and George; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Robert A. Thomas BA ’51, March 2, 2019, age 91. Thomas, a veteran of World War II, spent 50 years in the insurance industry. Survivors include his wife of nearly 70 years, Shirley; his daughter, Jan’l; and two grandchildren.

Joseph W. Storer ’40, June 5, 2019, age 100. Storer enjoyed singing in choirs and served as a church soloist. Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Carol; his two daughters, Maryruth and Margaret; two granddaughters; and one great-grandson.

Robert L. Stein BS ’52, January 6, 2020, age 89.

Harriet R. Sheets BA ’74, April 4, 2019, age 67.