PSU Magazine Spring 1996

Why did I establish an endowed faculty chair in quality management at Portland State? In short, I wanted to support the educa– tion of students, especially older, working students who, due to lack of funds, could not finish college or even begin it in the first place. I felt it important to strengthen the opportunity they had at PSU, thereby helping them achieve the career they desire and deserve. Now a long answer. When I fini hed college at the University of Munich in the 1920s, inflation was rampant and made starting a business ri ky. A longtime friend of my mother's had emigrated to America and was general manager of Portland Ga of the "pencil pushing" and wanted something more mean– ingful. A big Midwestern accounting firm offered me a job, but I'd had my taste of Oregon and did not want to leave. My other choice was to go to work for Fred Meyer. William Whitfield told me, "You're too good for Fred Meyer," but that is the choice I made. Working for Fred Meyer was a great experience. The man had an eighth-grade education, but he was one of the best-read persons I ever knew. His memory was wonderful-he was simply brilliant. After 32 years with Fred Meyer-as controller, treasurer, ecretary, and vice president-I was able to retire in 1972. Years ago I was fortunate enough to embark on some extraordinary adventures, one of which was working with Jane Goodall in Tanzania. Ours was a highly scientific study, but in a sense we lived with those apes and got to the point where we would call out to them and they were "Cost accounting is something more than just juggling figures-for figures do not create values, but men, materials and machines do. It is our job to study, evaluate and interpret the real forces at work. " Herbert Retzlaff in his President's Message to the Portland chapter of the National Association of Cost Accountants in 1939. confident enough to touch our hands. Before my wife Helen passed away, we made e tate arrangements to take care of our children. Then we wanted to give back to our community. We always felt that Portland State was our university-right here at our doorstep-and we wanted to do something for the working student. We were able to initiate the endowed faculty chair with some outright gifts in the 1980s. I then arranged a bequest that will make the endowment perpetual. I was involved in the selection of Professor H. Thomas Johnson as the first resident of the chair. I am confident he and his successors will bring innovative thinking to the hard working students at Portland State. and Coke Company. In 1925 he offered to sponsor me, saying that it would be a start, but that I would not want to stay too long, because the job would not offer much for the future. I worked for the company but began studying at night. In 1932 I passed my CPA exam and went to work for Whitfield Stratford, a private accounting firm. Later I helped found the Portland chapter of the National Association of Cost Accountants. By the late 1930s I was becoming a bit tired Herbert Retzlaff, PSU's guest at a 1995 University– sponsored lecture by Jane Goodall, greets his dear friend.