— 4 — In memoriam: S. John Trudeau, 1927-2008 In memoriam: Margaret Dixon, 1919-2008 S.John Trudeau, professor emeritus of music and dean emeritus of the School of Fine and Performing Arts, born Feb. 26, 1927, in Salem, Mass., died from congestive heart failure on Nov. 3, 2008. At the New England Conservatory of Music he earned a Bachelor of Music degree cum laude in 1951. David Stabler, music critic at The Oregonian, wrote a biographical article that appeared in the Nov. 8, 2008, issue. Prof. Trudeau came to Portland in 1951 as the Portland Symphony’s principal trombonist. During the ensuing decades he pursued a multifaceted leadership and academic career featuring significant accomplishments in music, education, public service, and institution building. He held music department appointments at Reed (1951-1953) and Lewis & Clark (1953-1954) prior to joining the newly established Portland State College’s music faculty in 1955, rising from instructor to professorial rank. While heading PSU’s Music Department, he guided its growth and expansion through various institution-wide academic reorganizations aimed at creating an urban university with a special community outreach. Concurrently, he conducted the PSU orchestra at various times, and for 14 years he also conducted the Columbia Symphony, a music group that began with volunteers and which he eventually developed into a semi-professional orchestra. Perhaps his most notable accomplishments stem from his role in forming the internationally recognized outdoor Peter Britt Music and Arts Festival in Jacksonville, Ore. This annual summer event, now extending over four months, provides top-level performances in classical, pop, rock, dance, and musical theatre. In 1976, after a nationwide search, Prof. Trudeau became the first dean of the University’s newly organized College of Arts and Letters, which included a broad range of disciplines: art, architecture, journalism, foreign languages, women’s studies, English, and music. Further academic organizational restructuring led to forming the School of Fine and Performing Arts in 1982, and, again after a nationwide search for a dean, Prof. Trudeau was appointed to the new position. He ably served in that capacity until his retirement in 1986. In addition to his teaching and administrative responsibilities, Prof. Trudeau actively participated in faculty governance through important campuswide committees including General Student Affairs, Academic Requirements, and search committees for various administrative positions. His colleagues throughout the institution highly esteemed his lasting contributions to our shared academic mission. John and his spouse, Elizabeth, participated in the recent RAPS fall program at Bonneville Dam. To her and their four children, George J. Trudeau; Jeannette T. Coll; Stephanie J. Hulcher; and Jennifer Graylands, our organization extends its heartfelt condolences. A memorial service at PSU will be scheduled for a later date. Memorial contributions may be sent to Ascension Episcopal Parish or to the Elizabeth and John Trudeau Endowed Scholarship Fund at the PSU Foundation. —Victor C. Dahl, Professor Emeritus of History, with assistance from Gordon Solie, Professor Emeritus of Music Margaret (Margie) Dixon, spouse of Prof. Brock Dixon, died in Newport, Oct. 18, 2008, while they were celebrating their 69th wedding anniversary. She was born April 21, 1919, in Newberg. During the seminal years of PSU’s historical development, the Dixons were well known to the institution’s pioneering faculty and staff. Mrs. Dixon actively promoted a support group, the PSC Women’s Faculty Club, which generated scholarships. Prof. Dixon, a Vanport faculty member, actively participated in the events leading up to the formation of Portland State College in 1955, and subsequently served as Political Science Department head, assistant dean of Faculty, and dean of Administration until 1967. In retirement the Dixons divided their time between Oregon and Australia, where their son, Gale, and family reside after he retired as a geography professor in Melbourne. Those of us who knew the Dixons extend our condolences to Brock, who has returned to join his son’s family in Australia, and we express sincere gratitude for his founding contributions to this institution. —Victor C. Dahl, Professor Emeritus of History
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