Mountaineer Tracks

Weddings

Bren Bletscher, currently studying exercise science at EOU, married Alysa Walden on Oct. 12, 2019 in Georgia.

James Mikel “Jimmy” Roeder, ’12, is engaged to marry Precelia Joann “Pressy” Clay on Aug. 22, 2020 in Milton-Freewater.

Births

Nick Toreson, ’11, and wife Sara welcomed William Theodore Toreson on April 2, 2020.

Accomplishments

Hermiston School District named Tammy Fisher, ’07, its 2020 Educator of the year.

Eddy Ramos, ’18, was hired to teach business and Spanish in Stanfield School District.

Glenda Hyde, ’04, received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences for her work serving Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson and Wheeler counties with food safety and preservation programs, nutrition education and safety, and accidental injury prevention classes.

Rebecca Colton, ’09, defended her thesis in the College Student Services Administration program at Oregon State University on March 13. As a first- generation, non-traditional student, Becca credited EOU with empowering her to expand her goals and become an advocate for impoverished rural students.

The Vale Alumni Association inducted Don M. Wayne, ’72, into its Hall of Fame for his 41-year coaching career in the school district.

Jon Dunaway, ’12, is using his Fire Services Administration degree as the new Fire Marshall in Longview, Wash. He was sworn in on Oct. 30, 2019.

Cory Dunn, ’10, joined Alliant’s Employee Benefits Group as Assistant Vice President
this fall.

Obituaries

EOU Distinguished Alumnus Vern Ellis Bean passed away on Oct. 28, 2019 in Walkersville, Maryland at the age of 82.

Bean attended EOU, and earned a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and doctorate in physics from Brigham Young University. 

He had a notable career as a physicist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, where he worked with scientists from around the world. NIST awarded him the US Department of Commerce Bronze Medal for his work in high pressure physics.

In 1961, he married Carol Allred, whom he met while both were serving as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia. Vern’s job offered numerous opportunities to travel, and Carol frequently accompanied him. 

Vern was predeceased by his wife, parents and siblings. He is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandsons. 

Faculty and Friends

Dr. April J. Plummer

Alumni

1930s

Marjarie L. Jarvis, ’37

1950s

Ruby A. Rohde, ’54

Elizabeth M. Rouse, ’55

Patricia Jenkins, ’57

D. LaVern Partlow, ‘57

Delbert J. Sams, ’58

1960s

George Fenton, ’60

Denny G. Evans, ’67

Loren L. Fihn, ’67

1970s

Beverly A. Ledridge, ’70

Henry W. Thew, ’70

Keith Maddox, ’71 

Gregory W. Royal, ‘72

Joseph M. Yraguen, ’72

Donna R. Patterson, ’73

Dorothy T. Wooters, ’73

Rodney C. Feik, ’74

Marla Kay Rodgers Van Cleave, ’79 

1980s

Martin M. Owens, ’82

1990s

Daniel E. Walchli, ’90

Martha E. Sheetz, ’95

Michelle M. McCoy, ’94

2000s and 2010s

John D. Dick, ’0

Pamela A. Sundean, ’13