In memoriam: Gabriel Bernhard Fedde, 1909-2007 Gabriel Bernhard Fedde, adjunct professor emeritus of history, born to Norwegian immigrant parents March 7, 1909, in Brooklyn, N.Y., died July 17, 2007. His lifetime featured humanitarian service, scholarly dedication, and excellence in two careers: practicing attorney and historian. Professor Fedde attended New York City public schools and in 1930 earned a history B.A. at Williams College. After an exchange fellowship at the University of Munich (1930-31), he attended Columbia University law school and in 1936 earned an LL.B. at the University of Oregon law school. In 1964 he completed a history M.A. at Oregon State University and published his thesis: “The Norwegian-Swedish Crisis of 1905.” In 1936 he launched a longtime law practice that would include appearances extending from lower level courts to the United States Supreme Court. A dedicated pacifist and humanitarian, he willingly applied his exceptional talents to unpopular cases, defending asylum-seekers and conscientious objectors to military service. Fluency in foreign languages— including German, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish—enabled him to serve clients in domestic and international litigation. After being drafted as a conscientious objector, Professor Fedde worked for the U.S. Forest Service from 1943 to 1945. At war’s end, he volunteered to serve (1946-47) as chief relief administrator for the British and American Friends Service Committees in the British occupation zone of Germany. For superlative humanitarian endeavors in feeding a half-million starving children, these organizations received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947. In 1949-50 he served the Lutheran World Federation in Palestine as legal counsel. While concurrently practicing law, from 1956 to 1990 Bernard taught PSU courses in international and constitutional law, western civilization, United States history, and Scandinavian history. He conducted ongoing historical research, attended conferences, and presented findings on an international scale. Likewise, he actively participated in local organizations— including the Sons of Norway and the Scandinavian Heritage Foundation—that promoted related language and cultural activities in the Pacific Northwest. In 1977 King Olav V of Norway bestowed upon him Saint Olav’s Medal, an exemplary award for disseminating information about the home country and strengthening bonds with overseas expatriates. At a memorial service at Central Lutheran Church on July 17, representatives of four Scandinavian community organizations, the honorary vice consuls of Norway and Sweden, and two PSU colleagues reviewed his distinguished career and accomplishments. In 1957 Bernhard married a Norwegian citizen, Johanna Borrevik, who had recently been an exchange teacher in a Seattle public school. Since then she has regularly taught Norwegian language classes at PSU. Together they collaborated on academic cultural pursuits benefiting the local Scandinavian community and the University. To Johanna, RAPS members and history colleagues extend heartfelt condolences. We hope that she will continue to participate in our organization’s activities. Donations may be sent to the Fedde Fund, Scandinavian Heritage Foundation, 8800 Oleson Road, Portland OR 97223; to GLSF Bernhard & Johanna Scholarship, 111 NE 11th, Portland OR 97232; or Central Lutheran Church, 1820 NE 21st, Portland OR 97212. —Victor C. Dahl, Professor Emeritus of History — 4 —
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