THE RAPS SHEET January 2017 Retirement Association of Portland State Portland State University Post Office Box 751--RAPS Portland OR 97207-0751 Campus Public Safety Building, second floor, SW Montgomery at Broadway Office Manager Adam Jones (503)725-3447, rapsmail@pdx.edu Office Hours: Weds., 12-3; Thurs. & Fri., 9-3. Campus mail: RAPS Web: www.pdx.edu/raps Officers Susan Poulsen Co-President Dawn White Co-President Brian Lewis Secretary Ansel Johnson Treasurer Eileen Brennan RAPS Sheet Editor Larry Sawyer RAPS Representative to Regional & National Retirement Associations, Website Editor Board Members-at-Large Steven Brenner Nancy Eriksson Charlie White Committees Dave Krug History Preservation and Pictorial History Book Chair Terril Doherty Social Committee Chair Doug Swanson Friendship Chair Priscilla Blumel Membership Chair Nancy Chapman Scholarship Chair Charlie White Awards Chair Tom Potiowsky Analyzes Oregon Economy at January 19 Member Meeting “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone . . .” Remember the song that Johnny Nash took to #1 on the Billboard chart in 1972? That song is the inspiration for economist Tom Potiowsky’s talk to RAPS on Thursday, January 19. Tom has titled his talk “I Can See Clearly Now . . . Rains are Gone over the Oregon Economy. What Clouds Might Be on the Horizon?” Tom Potiowsky is Chair of the PSU Economics Department and Director of the Northwest Economics Research Center. He served as State Economist from 1999-2006 and was reappointed for another stint from 2008-2011. He received his BA from The Ohio State University and his MA and PhD in Economics from the University of Colorado. Professor Potiowsky has served as a PSU faculty member since 1982 and has served several terms as chair of his academic department. Bringing both his academic and government service experience to the presentation, Tom will reflect on the trends and potential of the Oregon economy. The meeting will be held in 238 Smith Memorial Student Union. A light lunch will be available at noon, with Professor Potiowsky speaking at 1:00 pm.
Co-President’s Message I’m not usually into the “New Year’s Resolution” tradition but found myself thinking about it the other day. At the personal level, I feel I don’t stay in touch with folks important to me as much as I want. I know how much it means when others make the effort to connect with me, and yet I feel I’m remiss in doing the same to/for others. Sometimes I don’t tell others when I need things – their support, a ride to the store, etc. I get gently chided, as others point out these are ways they can care for me. Do either of these sound familiar? My sense is strengthening our personal ties in the new year will be important. So too, our social ties. Last fall, I encouraged your participation in RAPS and asked you let us know if there are things we can do for you, our members. Whatever the tasks or challenges ahead, a key is reaching out, including others. --Susan Poulsen, Co-President Upcoming RAPS Events—Save the Dates February 16, 2017 (Room 294 Smith Memorial Center) Claudine Fisher, Professor Emerita of French Language and Literature, will speak on "The French Far West," discussing experiences writing historical fiction, her family history, and her early life in North Africa. March 16, 2017 (Room 238 Smith Memorial Center) Christine Meadows, Director of PSU's Opera Program, will give a preview of PSU's spring opera, a double bill of Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica. Students in the opera program will perform. Please come and bring your favorite salad or dessert. April 20, 2017 (Room 238 Smith Memorial Center) Chris Shortell, PSU Professor of Political Science and Department Chair, will speak on the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). This will be followed by the annual RAPS Ice Cream Social. May 18, 2018 (Columbia Falls Ballroom, University Place) President’s Gathering for Retired Faculty and Staff. Nancy Chapman (left) and RAPS Scholarship recipient Tanya Kindrachuck enjoy 2016 RAPS Holiday Brunch. --Photo by Larry Sawyer 2
Retirement Association of Portland State 2017 Outstanding Portland State Retiree Award ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Each spring at the President’s Luncheon RAPS gives an Outstanding Retiree Award to one or more PSU retirees. Special awards can also be made to non-retirees associated with Portland State who meet the qualifications. The awards are in recognition of outstanding accomplishments post retirement in two or more of the following areas: 1) service to the community, 2) service to the University, 3) professional or career achievements, 4) service to RAPS. Now is the time for RAPS members to submit nominations. Nominees do not need to be RAPS members. In the past RAPS members have sometimes been reluctant to nominate, even though all RAPS members know colleagues who are worthy. Please take the time to think about your colleagues and their many achievements. Any member may submit nominations. Members of the current RAPS Board are not eligible for nomination. The RAPS Board is hopeful many nominations will be submitted. For your convenience, a nomination form is included on the reverse side of this page in this issue of the RAPS Sheet. It will also be available online at XXXXAdam please place link here: --Charlie White, Chair, Awards Committee Please send nominations by US mail to RAPS, Portland State University, PO Box 751, Portland OR 97207 or by email (you don’t have to use the form) to Adam Jones, RAPS Office Manager, at rapsmail@pdx.edu. Deadline for receipt of nominations is Thursday, April 20, 2017. Questions? Please contact Charlie White, Chair of the Awards Committee, at chaswhite@comcast.net or 503-232-3089. 3
OUTSTANDING PORTLAND STATE RETIREE AWARD 2017 Nomination Form Each spring at the President’s Luncheon RAPS gives an Outstanding Retiree Award to one or more PSU retirees. The awards are in recognition of outstanding accomplishments post retirement in two or more of these four areas: 1) service to the community, 2) service to the University, 3) professional or career achievements, and 4) service to RAPS. Special awards can also be made to non-retirees who meet the qualifications. Nominee____________________________________________________________________________ Nominee’s position(s) at PSU____________________________________________________________ Please outline in the space below the post-retirement accomplishments of the person you are nominating. Attach an additional page if needed: Nominator____________________________________________________________________________ Contact information (phone and email)_____________________________________________________ Please send nominations by US mail to RAPS, Portland State University, PO Box 751, Portland OR 97207 or by email (you don’t have to use the form) to Adam Jones, RAPS Office Manager, at rapsmail@pdx.edu. Deadline for receipt of nominations is Thursday, April 20, 2017. Questions? Please contact Charlie White, Chair of the Awards Committee, at chaswhite@comcast.net or 503232-3089. 4
RAPS Group Reports The RAPS Book Group. The Book Group met on December 13 at the home of Marge and Leif Terdal and discussed The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. This is a “psychological” murder mystery, long on the bestseller list. Though this is light reading, we found much to discuss in the sharply drawn characters, as well the craft of the writer in constructing the mystery. The January meeting will be on the third Tuesday of the month, January 17. The group will be discussing A Man Called Ove by the Swedish writer Fredrik Backman. The back cover describes it as an “”uplifting exploration of the unreliability of first impressions and a gentle reminder that life is sweeter when it is shared with other people.” We will meet at the home of Felicia Wirtz, 16344 NW Avamere Ct., Beaverton, 97229. Contact Felicia at (503) 645-0947 or feliciawirtz@gmail.com to let her know whether you can be there, and for directions. The book group meets the third Tuesday of every month at 1:30 pm. New members are always welcome. –Joan Shireman The RAPS Bridge Group. The RAPS Bridge Group meets in the afternoon on the first Tuesday of each month. We begin play at 12:15 pm. We try to finish up by 4 pm. We meet in Smith Center, usually on the second floor, but sometimes on the third floor. Please mark your calendars for the following upcoming months, bridge dates, and times: Tuesday, January 3, 2017; 12:15 pm in SMSU 294 Tuesday, February 7, 2017; 12:15 pm in SMSU 333 Tuesday, March 7, 2017; 12:15 pm in SMSU 294 Tuesday, April 4, 2017; 12:15 pm in SMSU 294 I will send out the reminder email notice about one week prior to each date we play. The RAPS Bridge Group members are very friendly and are always looking for new players. If you wish to join us, please contact Steve Brennan, 503-646-6297. My email address is the.steve.brennan@gmail.com. --Steve Brennan The RAPS Hiking Group. Twelve hikers gathered at the home of Larry and Diane Sawyer on December 12 for our annual social time potluck and 2017 hike planning. We planned eleven months of hikes, and they have been posted on the hikers page of the RAPS website. The full 2017 schedule can be viewed at www.pdx.edu/raps and clicking on the quick link to the hiker’s page. The group also voted to move from the second Tuesday to the fourth Tuesday due to other RAPS group conflicts and conflicts with some hikers’ evening schedules. On Tuesday, January 24, we will hike a 5.2 mile segment of the new Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation Westside Regional Trail from the Nature Park to the Progress Ridge Shopping Center. Meet at the Tualatin Hills Nature Park parking lot at 9:30 am (15655 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton, OR). The trail is fully paved and goes through neighborhood areas, wetlands, and some forested sections. We will have lunch at the hikers’ choice of a variety of restaurants in the shopping center. The Nature Park can also be accessed via the Max Blue Line Merlo RD/158th stop. Take the 10 or 15 minute walk on the Oak Trail and then the Vine Maple trail to the Nature Park parking lot. RSVP to larry_sawyer@comcast.net by January 23. --Larry Sawyer 5
In Memoriam: Arthur G. Neal, 1929-2016 rthur Gale Neal passed peacefully on December 9, 2016 in Portland, Oregon. He was born in 1929 on a farm in Rock, West Virginia. He saw combat while serving with the Army in the Korean War. After leaving the military, he earned his Ph.D. in Sociology and Anthropology from Ohio State University in 1959. Art taught Sociology at Bowling Green State University in Ohio for 35 years until retiring in 1995. He published more than forty papers in academic journals together with numerous research monographs and more than ten books, with a specific interest in social psychology. He was named a Distinguished University Professor at Bowling Green. He advised and mentored many graduate students and maintained long-term relationships with many of them. After retirement and moving to Portland, Art continued his academic interests by mentoring junior faculty at Portland State and authoring nine books. He helped junior faculty in the College of Arts and Letters in writing their research proposals for funding and through encouraging their research projects. He had a courtesy appointment with the PSU Population Center and encouraged the junior faculty there as well. From his marriage to his first wife Sara Jo Thornberry, who passed away in 1985, Art Neal had two children, Kevin Neal (deceased 2012) and Lisa Neal. In 1987, Art Neal married Helen Youngelson, Professor of Economics at Portland State and so became a stepfather to Chris Waehrer and Keith Waehrer. He had five grandchildren. In retirement, he and his wife traveled extensively. He particularly enjoyed his trips to West Virginia to visit his large extended family. Memorial services are being planned for Bowling Green and Portland. RAPS extends sincere condolences to members of Art Neal’s family. --John R. Cooper, Professor Emeritus of English RAPS Scholarship Contributions cholarship contributions were received by the PSU Foundation from the following donors between December 1 and December 20, 2016: Barbara Alberty Steve Brannan and Mary Gordon Brannan Scott Burns Tony Leineweber—In honor of Keren Brown Wilson Inger Olson Terry Rohe Marie Williams Additionally, through sale of donated holiday treats and the Robert W. Vogelsang Memorial Wine Raffle held at the RAPS Holiday Brunch, an additional $595 was contributed by members and their guests. 6 A S
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