Dan Hess 1954 (Obituary)
Merle Daniel "Dan" Hess '54 died Dec. 12, 2011. He was born in Umapine, Ore. While at Pacific University, Hess earned a degree in physical education and played football, receiving all-conference honors during his last three years. He was also the president of the Alpha Zeta fraternity. He spent his career as a teacher and coach until retiring in 1984. Despite his college major, he never taught physical education but instead concentrated on social studies. He coached wrestling and football and, at times, assisted in baseball and track. He initiated the Kid Wrestling program that is still in place in Scappoose. He later added athletic director responsibilities to his career. He was president of the Hillsboro Education Association for two years and a lifetime member of Optimist International in Hillsboro. He is survived by his wife, Marvelyn Davison Hess, two children, two grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Eva Krebs (Obituary)
Eva Krebs died Thursday, July 12, 2012, following a long battle with breast cancer. Krebs was the vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students at Pacific University, where she worked since 1995. She was a passionate advocate for students, who personally helped countless students overcome personal and educational challenges. During her tenure, she assisted with the development of new orientation and ambassador programs for students, took the lead in the design and construction of two new residence halls, assisted in the development of the Health Professions Campus, led the effort to create health and counseling services for graduate students, and helped reinstate the “sign, shake and ring” tradition. Prior to her work at Pacific, she worked for Rider College and, before that, as a lawyer. She is survived by her husband, Rick; children, Heidi and Alec; and grandchildren, Ryan and Annabelle. Memorial donations may be made to the Eva C. Krebs Boxer Spirit Award for an Extraordinary Student at pacificu.edu/giving.
Miles Shishido (Obituary)
Miles Shishido died March 21, 2012, at the age of 91. Shishido was born in Paia, Maui, where he worked as a plantation clerk to help support his nine siblings. He married his wife, Florence, in Honolulu and graduated from the University of Hawai’i in 1947. He earned a master’s degree at Chicago Theological Seminary in 1948. He served as a minister in Hawai’i, then in Illinois, while earning a second master’s degree and doctorate degree in philosophy from the University of Chicago. Shishido began teaching philosophy and religion at Pacific University in 1963, and he eventually became a University Distinguished Professor. He also served as the chair of the philosophy and religion department. During his time at Pacific, Shishido went to Japan as a visiting professor and was the adviser of the Hawai’i Club. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling, skiing, chess and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his wife, two sons and five grandchildren. The Oregonian
Samuel Wilson 1949 (Obituary)
Samuel Wilson '49, O.D. '50 died Feb. 12, 2012, at the age of 86. Wilson was born in Shelton, Wash., where he attended high school before enlisting in the Navy. He was accepted into the Naval V-12 Program at Whitman College, where he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity. He completed officer training school at Columbia University and served as a chief engineering officer in the South Pacific. After graduation, he chose a career in optometry and came to Pacific for schooling. He and his wife, Helen, moved to Lakewood, Wash., where he practiced optometry for more than 40 years. He was one of the founders of Western Vision Services, which was instrumental in getting optometric care covered by insurance. He also was active in the Kiwanis, the Tacoma Country & Golf Club and as a board member for the Camp Fire Girls. He is survived by his wife, two children, and two beloved granddaughters who affectionately called him “Pops.” The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash.
Sheldon Olsen 2011 (Obituary)
Sheldon Walter Olsen O.D. died March 17, 2012, at age 31, in an accident at Lake Limerick in Washington. Olsen’s son, Jace, also passed away in the same accident. Olsen was born in Salt Lake City and earned his bachelor’s from the University of Utah. He and his wife, Julie, were married in 2002. After graduating from Pacific’s College of Optometry, Olsen worked at the Shelton Walmart Vision Center for six months, and he was excited to serve in his chosen profession. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a counselor in a Bishopric. He also served as a Youth Men’s President, Ward Mission leader and Boy Scout leader. In his spare time, he enjoyed exercising, playing basketball, snowboarding, barbecuing and riding his motorcycle. He is survived by his wife, parents, brothers and sisters. Shelton-Mason County (Wash.) Journal
Tom Robb 1946 (Obituary)
Thomas “Tom” Howard Robb Sr. died Oct. 9, 2012. He was 88. Robb graduated from North Bend (Ore.) High School in 1942 and joined the Seabees. He served in the Pacific during WWII. After his military service, he attended Pacific University, where he was a member of the basketball team and Gamma Sigma and served as president of his freshman class. While at Pacific, he met and married Patricia Ann Vernon Robb ’45, with whom he spent 67 years. He later received a degree in education at Lewis & Clark and master’s degrees in history and public administration. He was active in Boy Scouts with his sons, in the Boise Education Association and in the State Retired Educators Association. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Carolyn. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; children, Thomas Robb Jr., Suzanne Robb ’70, Stan Robb and Kristine Powell and their families; two grandsons; four nieces and six nephews, including Heidi Tennyson Psy.D. ’10.
Geraldine "Gerry" Sherson 1947 (Obituary)
Geraldine “Gerry” A. (Bennet Pace) Sherson died April 16, 2012, at the age of 89. Sherson majored in music at Pacific University. She was married to Terry M. Pace for 35 years until he died in 1983. She was then married to fellow student Jerry Sherson ’44 for 25 years until his death in 2010. She is survived by brother Layton Bennet; children Bonnie Delight, Loren Pace and Layton Pace; and three grandchildren.
Katharine Drew 1949 (Obituary)
Katharine Merle Drew died May 12, 2012, in Shoreline, Wash. She was 85. She grew up in Great Falls, Mont., where she loved to hunt and fish with her father. She met her husband, Lelan Drew ’49, during their freshman year at Pacific University. They married in 1950. Her joys were her children, camping, crafting, singing, baking and playing cards. She is survived by her husband; children Steve and his wife, Alison, Mike and his wife Molly, David and his wife Geri and Penny and her husband Jeff; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
William "Allan" Pollock 1949 (Obituary)
William “Allan” Pollock ’49, O.D. '50 died June 24, 2012, at the age of 92. He joined the Army in 1942 and was honorably discharged as first lieutenant. He then attended Pacific University and graduated with a doctorate in optometry. He practiced as an optometrist for 38 years. His wife, Maxine, died in December 2012. They are survived by two children and four grandchildren.
Mou-ta Chen 1950 (Obituary)
Mou-ta Chen MAEd died Dec. 4, 2012. He was 90. Born in Sichuan, China, he also graduated from Chongquing, the University of Wyoming and New York University. He held various government positions in China before coming to the United States, where he was a professor of mathematics at the State University of New York at Brockport. He enjoyed Chinese poetry, classical music, history and current events. He was active in the Capital Senior Center at Maxcy Gregg Park.
George Whitfield Johnston Jr. 1950 (Obituary)
George Whitfield Johnston Jr. died July 22, 2012, at the age of 85. After graduating from Pacific, he served the Army for one and a half years until receiving honorable discharge in 1946. He then married Margaret E. “Marge” Thornburg and moved to Hillsboro in 1964. Johnston worked as the office manager for the Portland Office of Willamette Industries for the computer department for 33 years until retiring in 1987. Johnston is survived by his wife, two daughters, brothers and sisters.
Alan Johnson 1956 (Obituary)
Alan J. Johnson ’56, O.D. ’57 died Sept 20, 2012. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945 and went on to obtain his doctor of optometry degree from Pacific University. Johnson practiced optometry in his hometown of Yakima, Wash., for 30 years. He is survived by his sister and two nieces.