In Memoriam: John W. Hakanson, 1920-2017 ohn Hakanson, who as a student at Vanport Extension Center—the forerunner of Portland State— advocated to make the institution permanent, died March 3 with his wife and children by his side. He was 96 years old. Vanport was a wartime housing project established in 1942 in North Portland. In 1946 it became the home of Vanport Extension Center, an institution designed to handle the flood of veterans returning from World War II seeking to attend a public college. From its beginning, the Extension Center was considered temporary and would likely close once the supply of post-war veterans dwindled. Dr. Hakanson, himself a veteran, was among many who argued that Vanport should become permanent. In an article he wrote for the Feb. 1, 1948, Sunday Oregonian, Dr. Hakanson argued forcefully for the Extension Center’s permanence. “Hakanson became the first person to bring together in writing the ideas of a permanent institution, a new building, and a downtown campus,” wrote Professor Gordon Dodds in The College that Would Not Die, a history of Portland State’s first 50 years. Dr. Hakanson was persistent in his advocacy, even after he completed his studies at Vanport and transferred to Willamette University. Now living in Oregon’s capital and with the support of Stephen Epler, the Extension Center’s founder, he drew up a bill in January 1949 that called for a permanent institution in Portland and for the purchase of a building. “He had in mind Lincoln High School, a building constructed in 1912, which the Portland School District was planning to replace,” Professor Dodds wrote. Lincoln High, now known as Lincoln Hall, became the first building of Portland State’s downtown campus. On April 15, the bill—known as the Wilhelm-Logan bill—was signed into law by Governor Paul Patterson. John Warren Hakanson was born in Cottage Grove, Oregon, on May 21, 1920, to Esther Hakanson, a second generation Oregonian, and John Hakanson, a Swedish immigrant. He was drafted into the Army during World War II, served in New Guinea and the Philippines, and earned a Bronze Star. He returned as an Army captain and married his wife, Helen, in Eugene on Christmas Eve, 1945. After completing his undergraduate degree at Willamette, Dr. Hakanson earned a master’s from the University of Oregon in 1954. He taught at Myrtle Creek, Canyonville, and Harrisburg before moving to Berkeley in 1963 to pursue a doctorate. He helped launch Clackamas Community College, becoming dean of instruction in 1967 and president in 1969. Dr. Hakanson retired in 1984 but continued his involvement in local politics and community affairs. He served on several boards and commissions, including the Clackamas Economic Development Commission, the Oregon Trail Foundation, the Oregon Board of Nursing, and the board of directors of the Clackamas County Historical Society. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Helen Hakanson; his children, John, David, Lou Ann, and Rob; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Remembrances may be sent to the Clackamas Community College Foundation at www.clackamas.edu/foundation. An online guest book is available at www.oregonlive.com/obits . --Doug Swanson 6 J
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