College Feature: Studying Fish and Wildlife Habitat in Managed Forests
Alumni and Donors
On
April 8, 2003, the scholarship committee responsible for the Dorothy D.
Hoener Memorial Fund hosted an annual recognition luncheon for 2002-03
scholarship and fellowship recipients. The Hoener fund was established
in 1986 by Edgar P. Hoener to honor his wife Dorothy. It
offers the most generous scholarships available to College of Forestry
students, recognizing hard working and motivated students. The fund also
helps facilitate mentoring relationships between students and faculty
and provides travel opportunities for students to participate in forestry
activities in other parts of the United States.
In Memoriam
Bart A.Thielges
June 16, 1938 —June 29, 2003
Bart A. Thielges died suddenly from a heart attack, June 29, 2003, in San Luis Obispo, California. Thielges was Associate Dean for International Programs at the College of Forestry, Oregon State University. He also served concurrently as Interim Dean for International Programs at OSU and Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Programs for the Oregon University System.
He was born to Bart H. and Norma Thielges in Chicago, Illinois. There he attended Gage Park High School. Following graduation, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps and received an honorable discharge. He then received his Bachelor's degree in Forestry from Southern Illinois University, and a Masters of Forestry, a Masters of Philosophy, and a Ph.D. from Yale. He served on the faculties of the Ohio Agricultural Research Station, Louisiana State University, and the University of Kentucky, where he was Chairman of the Department of Forestry, before coming to Oregon State in 1990.His expertise was in plant genetics, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology and he authored or co-authored more than 60 scientific publications. He was a member of the Society of American Foresters, the Forest Products Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He held offices in the National Association of Professional Forestry Schools and Colleges and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. Thielges received numerous awards recognizing his leadership in research and international programs including the Distinguished Alumnus Award, Southern Illinois University, USDA Certificates of Appreciation, the College of Forestry's Dean's Award and the International Service Award from Oregon State University. A memorial service was held by the College of Forestry on August 18th in the College's Hatfield Courtyard. Among the many speakers were John Byrne, President Emeritus of OSU, Sabah Randhawa, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and International Programs at OSU, Roger Blair, a close family friend, Bart Christopher Thielges, Bart's son, Stephen McMullen, Bart's brother-in-law, Deborah Healey, Director of the English Language Institute at OSU, Marion McNamara, co-director of International Research and Development at OSU, Dennis Cusack, a principal of SRG Partnership, an architectural firm in Portland, and Doug Piirto, Head, Natural Resources Management Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Speakers from the College of Forestry included Dean Hal Salwasser, who also read a letter from Susan Stafford, Dean of the College of Natural Resources at the University of Minnesota, Jeff Morrell, Rick Meilan, Steve Strauss, Badege Bishaw, and George Brown, Dean Emeritus of the College.
Bart will always be remembered by the College of Forestry for his commitment and dedication. He provided leadership and direction for our research program and was instrumental in the design and construction of Richardson Hall. He expanded our international programs, was our congressional liaison, and served as our interim dean at a very critical time for the College and Forest Research Laboratory. But perhaps most of all, he will also be remembered throughout the College as a friend — whose patience, willingness to listen, forward-looking perspective and openness to new ideas, droll sense of humor, hearty handshake, and ready smile will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife, Judy, three sons, Bart C., Jon, and Patrick, one sister, Bonnie, and one grandson, Jon Wesley.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the OSU Foundation, 850 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, in his memory.
Ken McLaren
September 13, 1912 — August 9, 2003
Ken McLaren of Corvallis died August 9, 2003. He was 90 years old. McLaren was born in Parkersberg, Iowa, to Isreal E. and Maude Fergusen McLaren. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, where he served as a duty officer, in 1934. He married Barbara Maddams in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1937. McLaren served in the Pacific Theater during World War II from 1941 to 1943. He was captain of the U.S.S. Guest, the U.S.S. Tolovana, and the U.S.S. Oregon City. He captained the cutter Highland Light in the Bermuda race in 1946, winning a trophy in class. He was awarded the Navy's Legion of Merit and Bronze Star, and also received a commendation medal from the Army for his service on the Military Advisory and Assistance Group in Korea. He retired in 1960 with the rank of Captain.
He graduated from Oregon State University in 1963 and became a Professor of Forest Engineering. He served as Assistant Dean and Acting Dean, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1978.McLaren was a longtime member of the Mid-Valley Bicycle Club, continuing to ride into his tenth decade. He enjoyed hiking, camping, and surfing, and spearfishing in the tropics. Survivors include his wife; sons, James M. of the Tri- Cities, Washington, area and Bruce of San Diego; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Two sisters died previously.
Memorial donations can be made to the U.S.N.A. Alumni Association, the OSU Foundation, or Benton Hospice Service Inc., in care of McHenry Funeral Home, 206 NW Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330.
Lewiston J. Bagley
November 2, 1915 —August 20, 2003
Lewiston J. Bagley of Corvallis died Wednesday. He was 87 years old. Bagley was born in Knappa. He received a degree in forestry engineering from Oregon State College, now Oregon State University, in 1948. He was employed in forestry.
Survivors include his daughters, BLou Carman and Alice A. Eberman of Corvallis, and his son, Ron of Corvallis.
Memorial donations can be made to the OSU Foundation in care of DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home, 815 N.W. Buchanan Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330.
Jerome 'Jerry' Sedlak
October 15, 1952 —September 5, 2003
Jerome Peter Sedlak of Springfield died September 5, 2003, from injuries he suffered in a logging accident. He was 50 years old. Sedlak was born Oct. 15, 1952, in Glen Cove, N.Y., to Peter and Dotty Sedlak. He married Jody Richards in Ithaca, N.Y., on May 24, 1975. He graduated from Locust Valley High School in Long Island, N.Y. He received a bachelor's degree in forestry from the State of New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry at Syracuse. He received a master's degree in forest engineering from Oregon State University. Sedlak was employed as the president of Emerald Valley Thinning. He will be remembered as an innovative and tenacious logger who coupled his professional engineering background with a deep respect for the environment. He was a member of the Associated Oregon Loggers and the Society of American Foresters. He was an avid supporter of Springfield schools and actively involved in the Springfield community.
Survivors include his wife; his parents of Locust Valley, N.Y.; a son, Jeff of Santa Ana, California, a daughter, Kim of Corvallis; and a sister, Debby Sedlak of Durham, N.C.
Memorial contributions may be made to the College of Forestry at Oregon State University.
Newtons Establish Forest Research FundMichael Newton, Emeritus Professor in Forest Science, and his wife, Jane W. Newton, have given cash and timber valued at over $350,000 towards a $1 million goal to establish the Newton Forest Research Fund in the College of Forestry. Proceeds from the fund will provide for continuity of employment for career-track faculty research assistants. The funds may be used primarily for salary and, to a limited extent, operating expenses for career-oriented research assistants engaged in long-term silvicultural research. Commodity production and/or habitat management must be major components of research objectives. Mike Newton has maintained research plots around the state for over 44 years. He and Jane understand the need to support long-term research. The Newtons will continue to build the endowment over a period of several years, using a combination of cash and timber. |
New and Renewed Gifts
Over a decade ago, Ruth Spaniol ('33) gave 800 acres of forestland valued at $3.1 million to the OSU Foundation to benefit the College of Forestry. According to Mrs. Spaniol's wishes, the Foundation held the proceeds from the eventual sale of the land in three charitable remainder trusts established to benefit her three children throughout their lifetimes.With the recent death of her daughter, Sherry Chain, the assets of one of the trusts is now available to create the Ruth H. Spaniol Chair in Renewable Resources. Each trust is currently valued at $2.8 million. (Source: Steven Lont, Oregon Stater)
Wayne Endicott has created three charitable remainder unitrusts, currently valued at $375,185.After a set number of years, half of the value of these trusts will support the Mealey/Boise Program in Forest Ecosystem Health; the other half will support scholarships in Agricultural Sciences.
Laurence Sprunt has given over $20,000 during the past fiscal year to support the B.D. Mitchell & H.R. Blacketor Memorial Scholarship.
The College of Forestry has received a generous unrestricted bequest of $178,000 from the estate of Dorothy F. Hopkins. Dorothy and her husband, Walt (also deceased) had close ties to the College for many years and knew the added value of gifts that can be used for the College's area of greatest need.
The College of Forestry has received a $20,000 bequest from the estate of Elizabeth Peterson to support the Kurt Jon Peterson Memorial Scholarship.
Through the Lematta Foundation, Wes and Nancy Lematta have made an addition of $150,000 to the Wes and Nancy Lematta Graduate Fellowship Fund.The Fund supports students studying forest engineering and related disciplines.
The Willamette Industries Endowment has received $300,000 in commitments towards a $1,000,000 goal.The scholarship benefits students who major or minor in Forestry with either a major or minor in Engineering or Business.The first scholarship recipients will be named for the 2004-05 academic year.
The Gibbett Hill Graduate Fellowship Fund has received a second installment of $90,000, bringing the total fund to $180,000 toward a total pledge of $450,000. The fund supports graduate fellowships in Forest Engineering.
Ned Hayes has contributed $20,000 to support graduate student fellowships in the Department of Forest Science.
Back by popular demand …WASSUP?
The Summer 2004 issue of Focus on Forestry will include news from alumni, organized by class year. If you have news you'd like to share—retirement, new degree, job, address, marriage, addition to the family, news about a reunion with other alums—or if you'd just like to say hello to your classmates, please send your news by email to caryn.davis@oregonstate.edu or fill out the form at www.cof.orst.edu/cof/alumni/guest/.
Forestry Communications Group, Peavy Hall 256
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331 | (541) 737-4271
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