Past Tense DICK HALLEY: GI TO PSU Dick Halley’s heritage dates back to the town called Halfway in eastern Oregon that was established in 1875. Dick embodies the true pioneer spirit of Halfway, a spirit manifest in his remarkable and outstanding career. Dick started as a private in World War II, and before the war was over, he had achieved the rank of captain. He arrived in Europe the hard way—at Omaha Beach, fought in the Bulge, and received a Bronze Star for bravery and a Purple Heart for wounds received. After his return to the United States, he received a B.S. and an M.S. from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford. The stage was set for the significant role that he came to play in Portland State’s history. Dick is a member of an elite group, including Steve Epler, Frank Roberts, and Bill Lemman, among others, who planted the seeds for PSU to grow from the wreckage left by the Vanport flood into the largest university in Oregon. PSU archival photos show Dick transferring files from the muddy waters of the Columbia. From this inauspicious start, Dick and his colleagues fought the turf battles in Salem that put Vanport College on the track to becoming a premier research university. Over time Dick took part in many committees and task forces, and he served in several administrative positions, including dean of students at Vanport, chair of the Economics Department, dean of the Graduate School, and acting vice president for Academic Affairs. In short, Dick Halley’s illustrious career should be remembered and recognized not only in “Past Tense” but the “present tense” as well. —Richard Brinkman Past Tense features glimpses into Portland State’s history. To submit a story (or an idea for one), e-mail the RAPS History Preservation Committee at raps@pdx.edu. Dick Halley, USA Dick Halley, PSU
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