Roderick L. Bunnell JD ’68

10/07/2015

Roderick L. Bunnell JD ’62 passed away on October 1, 2015, in Portland’s Good Samaritan Hospital, the same facility where he was born on August 4, 1930. He was 85.

Rod lived in Hanford, Yakima, and Hood River while growing up. He attended Whitman College and served briefly in the U.S. Army before returning to Portland. Following his 1955 marriage, he joined OPS Blue Shield as a claims analyst, remaining with the firm for his entire career. He retired from Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon as general counsel, corporate secretary, and a major architect of the Regence Group. He often represented Blue Cross Blue Shield in state and national legislative matters.

Rod was active in many civic groups, including the Washington County Public Affairs Forum, Washington County Historical Society, Cedar Mill Community Library, Beaverton School District, and Cedar Hills UCC. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed mountain climbing, backpacking, cycling, and cross-country skiing. Like his father, he maintained a lifelong interest in Northwest history, especially that of its native cultures.

He is survived by his wife, Sally McMillan Bunnell; sons John and David; daughter-in-law Jenna; and two grandchildren.