Retirement Association of Portland State Portland State University—RAPS Post Office Box 751 Portland OR 97207-0751 Campus Public Safety Building Second Floor, Room 212 SW Montgomery at Broadway Office Manager Eben Yemoh Telephone: 503-725-3447 Email: rapsmail@pdx.edu In office: 10 am-2 pm Wed-Fri Remotely: 10 am-2 pm Mon & Tue Campus mail: RAPS Web: www.pdx.edu/raps Board Members Co-Presidents Pat Squire Bruce Stern Secretary Brian Lewis Treasurer Ansel Johnson Members-at-Large Nancy Eriksson Cheryl Livneh Michael Taylor RAPS Sheet Editor Doug Swanson Website Editor Larry Sawyer RAPS Representative to Regional & National Retirement Associations Larry Sawyer Committees Awards Steve Brennan, Chair History Preservation Eileen Brennan, Chair Membership Pati Sluys, Chair Program Dawn White, Chair Scholarship Joan Shireman, Chair Social Nancy Eriksson, Chair The RAPS Sheet The newsletter of the Retirement Association of Portland State FEBRUARY 2022 Scott Burns will enlighten RAPS members about the “Dynamic Terroir of Oregon Wines” in a Zoom presentation on February 17. Burns is a professor emeritus of geology, a RAPS member, and a wine expert. Wine, an object of knowledge as well as pleasure, is Burns’ topic Feb. 17 “DYNAMIC TERROIR of Oregon Wines” is the topic of February’s presentation to RAPS members by Scott Burns, professor emeritus of geology, wine expert, and fellow RAPS member. Burns’ talk replaces the one originally scheduled with Michael Alberty, wine writer for The Oregonian. Alberty’s talk has been rescheduled for October 20, 2022. A sixth generation Oregonian, Burns earned B.S. and M.S. degrees at Stanford University and completed his Ph.D. in geology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He specializes in environmental and engineering geology, geomorphology, soils, and Quaternary geology. Burns has been a professor for 52 years, with the last 32 years spent at Portland State. Before “coming home” in 1990—the year he joined the PSU faculty—he taught in Switzerland, New Zealand, Washington, Colorado, and Louisiana. Although he retired in 2014, he says he can still be found in the classroom, whether it be on the PSU campus, a vineyard, or a geological site. The February program will be offered on the videoconferencing platform Zoom on Thursday, February 17. Although the meeting is scheduled to start at noon, RAPS members can log on at 11:30 a.m. to visit with one another. Several days in advance of the meeting RAPS will provide the link to join the meeting, with a reminder via email the day before the event. Burns’ presentation will begin a few minutes after noon. SCHOLARSHIP DRIVE HOME RUN! STORY ON PAGE 3 ARE YOU A RAPS member who is new to Zoom? If so, please contact Eben Yemoh, RAPS office manager, at 503725-3447. A member of the RAPS Board will contact you to walk you through the relatively easy steps to use Zoom on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
2 The RAPS Sheet February 2022 CO-PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE COVID is a raw hand, but wine is aces all around AS COVID-19 CONTINUES to march along, be assured that RAPS is taking it very seriously. Our board meetings have been virtual, and both our January and February programs are virtual via Zoom. As you might remember your mother telling you when you were young: “It’s better to be safe than sorry.” One of the most accurate virus prediction models comes out of the University of Washington, and it suggests that there will be a steep downturn of the virus in March. I hope UW’s prediction comes true and that we can meet again in person once conditions are safe. One of the benefits of meeting in person is the social interactions we have with our colleagues. So that is not lost, we will open our Zoom link in advance of our programs so that you can interact virtually. Our next program is on Thursday, February 17—and how appropriate, as the next day is National Drink Wine Day. Fittingly, our program will focus on the “Dynamic Terroir of Oregon Wines.” Our speaker is Scott Burns, professor emeritus of geology. Scott retired in 2014 but still can be found in the classroom and speaking to interested audiences about wine and other geology-related topics. In his own words: “I’m failing retirement royally, but having fun.” Scott, we welcome you with open arms as we love you as much as you love RAPS. Here is a sneak preview of our February 17 program. As you know, wine is a growing industry in Oregon. In fact, we have the third largest number of wineries in the United States. Scott will focus on the terroir of Oregon wines, which are affected not only by the kinds of grapes, but climate, geology, and soils. This combination makes Oregon wines very high in quality. He will also provide an update on the Oregon wine industry. I do drink wine, but am clearly not a connoisseur. My favorite types are cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, and pinot gris. To show you how pedestrian I am with wine, I attended a wine tasting two or three years ago. The fourth wine was offered with a lengthy background by the presenter. It was a French wine with a price tag of $1,400 per bottle. I tasted it and told my wife that I liked the red wine that was on sale during the holidays for $9.95 better. This shows that the perception of wine, like art, is in the eye of the beholder. Our February speaker was to be Michael Alberty, the wine writer for The Oregonian. His slide presentation on pinot noir is best suited for an in-person meeting, so he has been rescheduled for our October 2022 program. In the meantime, I wish you all happiness and wellness in this new year and hope that you are playing it safe during these trying times. —Bruce Stern WHAT WE LEARNED IN 2021 By JORY ABRAMS Jory Abrams is an alumna of Portland State, a former president of the Portland State Alumni Association, and PSU’s Outstanding Alumna in 1996. She retired in 2006 as a vice president of CH2M Hill, an engineering company. Hugs are really sweet. Their absence is a bummer. l Zoom is much better than a conference call or email. l Facetime is an important touch- stone to those you can’t be with. l You can’t have too much kindness and compassion in your life. l Masks are hot and some early versions were weird. l Scientists do great things. l COVID 19 is much worse than the flu. l Doctors and nurses have amazing resiliency and dedication. l Anger is debilitating for all of us. l Smiles are contagious and make us happy. You can even see them hidden behind a mask, in the eyes. l Patience is a virtue. l Needles are not so terrifying. l Too much news is not a good thing. l Climate change is upon us, much sooner than we thought. l Good health is a gift not to be ignored. l Friends, family and community are precious. l Music is sweet...hum your favorite tune often.
3 The RAPS Sheet February 2022 ‘Challenge’ drive big success for RAPS Scholarship Donor’s match, members’ contributions send balance up 80 percent THE “CHALLENGE” was successful—very successful. Nearly $39,000 flowed into the RAPS Scholarship account between October 1 and December 31, thanks to a significant donation from an anonymous donor—and the generous response by RAPS members to the donor’s challenge. The donations represented a massive increase in the scholarship’s account balance. The account has grown steadily since its establishment in 2011, and by the end of the third quarter last September 30, the balance stood at just over $47,500. Then came a donation of more than $5,000 from a donor who wished to remain anonymous. Pat Squire, co-president of RAPS, was in contact with the donor, who expressed a desire to make an additional contribution. The challenge grew out of that conversation. The donor decided to challenge RAPS members not only to donate to the scholarship between October 1 and December 31, but to increase their previous donations. The donor pledged to match any gift dollar for dollar. But those who increased their previous donations by 50 percent prompted a match of 150 percent, and those who doubled their previous donations triggered a 200 percent match. Some 49 RAPS members responded to the challenge by donating more than $14,500. That produced a matching amount of $19,405. Including the donor’s original gift, the total addition to the scholarship account approached $39,000, boosting the account balance to over $86,000— an increase of more than 80 percent. Now the Scholarship Committee, chaired by Joan Shireman, will face the serious—albeit happy—problem of determining how to use the money most effectively. Since 2011, RAPS has awarded one scholarship annually; the award amount has climbed over the years and now sits at $4,500. “With the success of the challenge, we can expand our aid sooner and with more confidence,” said Shireman. “A second scholarship is a possibility. Another option is to increase the amount of the current scholarship. A good case can be made for either.” Squire thanked RAPS members and the anonymous donor for their generosity, noting that “this kind of opportunity doesn’t come around often.” “The membership recognized the value of the challenge,” she said. “The incredible vision and generosity of our anonymous donor has strengthened our scholarship, and we all owe a great deal of thanks.” Joan Shireman Pat Squire Upcoming RAPS events MARCH Thursday, March 17 After a delay of two years, PSU Opera is mounting a production of Merry Wives of Windsor, an operetta in three acts by Otto Nicolai, with four performances scheduled April 22 through May 1. The March RAPS program features a preview with opera program director Harry Baechtel and student performers. At press time the expectation is that the program will be held in person in 25 Lincoln Hall, the large rehearsal room. The meeting will be moved to Zoom if necessitated by COVID restrictions. The traditional March Potluck preceding the opera presentation has been canceled. APRIL Friday, April 29 President’s Annual Luncheon for Retired Staff and Faculty hosted by President Steve Percy in the PSU Ballroom. If the luncheon is canceled due to COVID restrictions, Percy will speak to RAPS members via Zoom. MAY Thursday, May 19 “Supported Conversation for Aphasia,” presentation by Susan Ginley, clinical professor in Speech and Hearing Sciences, on a communication method to encourage conversation when working with someone, such as a stroke victim, who has lost the ability to communicate.
4 The RAPS Sheet February 2022 RAPS Group Reports Book Group THE RAPS BOOK group met on January 18 and discussed The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. The book is a novel, based on the life of Belle da Costa Greene. In the early years of the 20th century J. P. Morgan was gathering a collection of rare manuscripts and art for the library he was building, and Greene was hired as a librarian to work with acquisitions. She was a Black woman, passing as white, and was convinced that her employment and her success at work depended on her continued success in passing as white. And she was a brilliant success. Our discussion was fascinating. Central, of course, was racism and the separation of the races—more absolute in that era than it is today. But there were other issues. It was the era when women were beginning to agitate for the right to vote, and when women were beginning to take on roles outside the home. We were surprised by the prejudice expressed against Jewish people. World War I was in the background. We did not resolve anything, but had a very interesting afternoon, In February the Book Group will be discussing Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. We plan to continue meeting via Zoom. The Book Group meets at 1:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. Any RAPS member is welcome to join the group. —Joan Shireman Bridge Group I AM NOT CERTAIN but I imagine you folks are as tired of COVID as I am. I hope the current spike will crash as quickly and steeply as omicron did in the U.K. COVID-19 cases in Multnomah County do not seem to be declining to a “moderate risk” level. In fact Multnomah County is currently at an “extremely high” risk level. We will watch that risk level and begin bridge sessions when the risk drops down to “moderate” or maybe just “high risk.” We need additional players; do you want to join us? I would like to hear from any interested RAPS members, or others you know, who might want to play in our group. The RAPS Bridge Group does not require RAPS membership; your friends and relatives would be welcome to join us. Please contact Steve Brennan, 503-889-0146. My email address is: the.steve.brennan@gmail.com. —Steve Brennan Hiking Group THE HIKING GROUP’S next adventure is scheduled for February 22. The planned hike is a six-mile in-and-out walk along the Salmon Creek Greenway in Vancouver. Information about the hike and request for RSVPs is usually sent out within a week of the hike. We ask for RSVPs so we know whom to expect at the trailhead. If you are not on the current mailing list and would like to be, please contact Tom Dieterich at tgdieterich@earthlink.net. If you are on the current mailing list, please watch for emails about the hike from either tgdieterich@earthlink.net or tgdieterich@gmail.com. The following link includes three hikes from 2021 and the 2022 calendar: https://1drv.ms/u/s!Asvnw2QV39famFda40hrSyeGNaXg?e =jonVJ1 The RAPS Hiking Group meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday of each month except December. —Tom Dieterich
5 The RAPS Sheet February 2022 Autumn in Vermont & Spotlights of Boston TWO RAPS TRIP IN FALL OF 2022 TO BENEFIT THE RAPS SCHOLARSHIP If New England fall colors and Boston history and culture sound appealing, the Scholarship Committee has some suggestions for you. “Autumn in Vermont” and “Spotlights of Boston” are scheduled for next October and are led by Collette, and part of your fare will benefit the RAPS Scholarship. “Spotlights of Boston” begins October 6 and concludes October 11, 2022. “Autumn in Vermont” runs from October 14 to October 20, 2022. Both trips begin and end in Boston and are three days apart. You have the option of enrolling in either one or both with a three-day layover in Boston. We have customized flyers and web pages for both. The Boston trip highlights both historical and modern Boston. The Vermont trip focuses on the autumn colors, but you’ll also see historical sites such as Fort Ticonderoga and Lake Champlain. Custom websites are: Boston: https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1088346 Vermont: https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1088348 PDF flyers: https://1drv.ms/u/s!Asvnw2QV39fanF_zQ2yfRQPzrYA-?e=W1YSQU To learn more, please contact larry_sawyer@comcast.net or joanshireman@gmail.com. Acorn Street, Boston
6 The RAPS Sheet February 2022 NORMAN L. WYERS, longtime faculty at the PSU School of Social Work, died December 14, 2021. Professor Wyers was a much-loved colleague and teacher who retired in 1996 as professor emeritus. He is remembered by his many students as someone who helped them find their passion for social work and increased their understanding of poverty and the needs of underrepresented people. Professor Wyers was born in Newport Beach, California, in 1932, the first child of Clifford “Dutch” and Virginia “Jino” Wyers. He graduated from Oregon State College in 1955 with a degree in education. After teaching high school biology and chemistry in Eagle Point, Oregon, he spent two years in the Army, much of it stationed in Germany. He then pursued a Master of Social Work at the University of Washington, completed the degree in 1964, and practiced as a social worker in the King County Public Welfare Department and the Jackson County Intermediate Education District. In 1970, Professor Wyers and his wife, Dianne, and their two children moved to New York, where he received a D.S.W. from Columbia University. He was recruited to PSU in 1974 to oversee the undergraduate program in social work. He went on to teach more than 30 different courses at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, primarily In memoriam: Norman L. Wyers, 1932-2021 focused on social work as a profession, social work history, social policy, community organization, and working with groups. During his 21 years at PSU, Professor Wyers served as assistant dean, director of the MSW Program, coordinator of the Undergraduate Social Work Program, and the first director of the Statewide Master’s Program, one of the first distance learning options at PSU. His service to the PSU community included Faculty Senate, Committee on Committees, Educational Policies Committee, Faculty Development Committee, and the PSU Committee on AIDS. Professor Wyers taught some of the first courses at PSU focused on persons with HIV/AIDS and was a pioneer in developing courses about social work with persons with HIV/AIDS and their families. In 1990, Professor Wyers was named Social Worker of the Year by the Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. In 1996, he received the George Hoffmann Award for Faculty Excellence. He is survived by his son, Peter; his daughter, Abby; his son-in-law, David Sage; and two cherished grandsons, Forest and Jasper Sage. Donations can be made to the Social Work Student Emergency Fund at https://giving.psuf.org/sswemergency. —Nancy Koroloff Professor Emerita, School of Social Work In memoriam: D. Richard Lycan, 1933-2021 D. RICHARD LYCAN, a professor of geography and urban studies and planning whose Portland State career began in 1970, died December 20 at his Portland home. He was 88 years old. Professor Lycan was born December 17, 1933, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Isabelle Hart Lycan and Glenn Lycan. He received a bachelor’s degree in geography and geology from the University of Idaho in 1956, where he participated in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. He served seven years in the Navy as a watch officer and division officer on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-10) and the battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin (BB-64). He transferred to Naval Intelligence and retired from the Naval Reserve as a captain. In 1961 Professor Lycan received an M.S. in geography from George Washington University and in 1964 a Ph.D. from the University of Washington. He taught at the University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C., for six years before joining Portland State. His career at PSU included service as chair of the Department of Geography for 10 years. He was an early user and contributor to geographic information systems (GIS), one of the co-creators of the Atlas of Oregon Lakes, and worked on numerous projects analyzing population trends for local, state, and federal governments. Upon retirement he was promoted to professor emeritus. In his retirement Professor Lycan continued to attend and present at professional meetings and conferences. Reading, canoeing, rafting, fishing, and driving the countryside were among his leisure-time activities. Professor Lycan is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elaine, of Portland; his son, Paul Lycan (Patty), of San Diego; and daughter, Anne Marie Lycan, of Boston. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Paula Lycan, Queens, New York; Molly Lycan, Portland; and Jesse Lycan, Brunswick, Maine. A celebration of life is expected to be held this summer. Remembrances may be made to the Portland State University Institute on Aging in Professor Lycan’s name: https://www.pdx.edu/institute-on-aging. An online guest books is available at www.oregonlive.com/obits.
7 The RAPS Sheet February 2022 2022 RAPS AWARD 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. A Special Recognition Award can go to anyone who has aided both RAPS and the University. Award Type: q Outstanding Retiree q Special Recognition Nominee__________________________________________________________________________________________ Nominee’s position(s) at PSU__________________________________________________________________________ Please outline in the space below the accomplishments of the person you are nominating. Attach an additional page if needed: Nominator_________________________________________________________________________________________ Nominator contact information (phone and email) _________________________________________________________ Please send nominations by U.S. mail to: Retirement Association of Portland State—RAPS Portland State University PO Box 751 Portland OR 97207-0751 You may also submit a nomination by email (you don’t have to use the form) to Eben Yemoh, RAPS Office manager, at rapsmail@pdx.edu. Deadline for receipt of nominations is Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Questions? Please contact Steve Brennan, chair of the Awards Committee, at the.steve.brennan@gmail.com or 503-889-0146. Nominations are sought for the RAPS 2022 Outstanding Portland State Retiree Award and for the Special Recognition Award. Nominations may be made using the nomination form below or ordinary paper or email.
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