6 Michael Tichy . . . continued from page 5 to nurture precious gifts: family, friends, and an abiding religious belief. In 1941 a cash-strapped Mike enrolled in East Stroudsberg (PA) College to prepare for a health and physical education career. World War II service interrupted his progress. He joined the U. S. Army in 1943, was commissioned as an information and education officer, and served at stateside military posts and in Germany. A treasured military souvenir photo features Captain Tichy with former heavyweight world boxing champion Joe Louis. Aided by the GI Bill, Mike resumed campus life, earning a baccalaureate degree in 1948. Sports activities figured prominently during his collegiate years along with extracurricular activities such as membership in Phi Beta Kappa and editing the yearbook. Baseball was always his favorite sport. (Military service had precluded his accepting a Brooklyn Dodgers draft.) After college graduation, Mike took a year-long (1948-49) junior high school position at Wapato, WA, teaching and coaching football. In1949 he initiated graduate work at the University of Southern California. En route to Los Angeles, he stopped at the University of Portland and was appointed to coach team sports and serve as athletics director. His 19521956 men’s tennis team won 79 straight matches, a streak never repeated at that school. Mike joined Portland State College’s faculty in 1955. The newly established institution in today’s Lincoln Hall posed enormous pedagogical challenges. Health and physical education coursework was conducted in extremely limited facilities. In addition to classroom teaching, Mike participated in coaching team sports. As head baseball coach from 1957 to 1961, he developed stunningly successful teams that won district and national championships with minimal institutional support, i.e. no scholarships. During fulltime service at UP and PSC, Mike earned a USC master’s degree in 1951 and pursued summer session graduate studies (1953 and 1954) at the University of Colorado. As a PSU faculty member, he tackled doctoral studies at the University of Wyoming, earning an EdD in 1961. Soon after settling in Portland, Mike met a UP nursing student, Anna Mae Wahl, at the Washington Park tennis courts, offering her advice on improving her game. They married in 1954 when she earned a nursing bachelor’s degree. Anna Mae also earned a master’s degree at Oregon Health Sciences University in 1975 and completed an EdD at PSU in 1985. At both UP and PSU, students flocked to Mike’s popular classes and sought his academic advice. In keeping with PSU’s mission to fulfill the urban community’s educational needs, he organized physical fitness, recreation, exercise, and health maintenance programs that generated enthusiastic participation by students and the general population. When PSU contracted to train Peace Corps volunteers in the 1960s, Mike taught exercise classes. Mike actively participated in professional organizations at the local, state and national levels, and regularly presented and published research findings. His popular afternoon adult jogging and exercise classes became well known throughout the metropolitan area. Many awards and recognitions came to him. He was elected in 1975 to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports for the Northwest. In 1988—on the basis of his national prominence in sports and fitness activities—the Council designated him as a National Master in the Presidential Sports Award program. In 1984 he was appointed to the Governor’s Council on Fitness and Sports. Professor Tichy made several fitness presentations to the RAPS membership, offering invaluable advice to retirees on lifestyles and healthy habits. He was well known throughout the University and was an original member of the Ferdinand Society. The institution owes him a lasting debt of gratitude for his effective contributions during its transition from Park Blocks extension center to comprehensive university status. All of us have been enriched by knowing Mike; we will remember and miss him forever. In addition to Anna Mae, Mike is survived by daughters Marie and Theresa, son Paul, three grandchildren and one great grandchild. Sons Eugene and William preceded Mike in death. To Anna Mae and her children, this organization extends its heartfelt sympathy. An extensive Oregonian obituary and guest book are accessible at www.oregonlive.com/obits. A copy may be consulted at the RAPS office. Donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or the Oregon Food Bank. --Victor C. Dahl, Emeritus Professor of History
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