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Stanton D. Anderson
October 18, 1940–January 12, 2025

Stanton Anderson At age 84, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at his home in Santa Barbara, California. Stan was a graduate of Westmont College, where he was a star basketball player, setting scoring records and earning the distinction of Small College All-American.

He went on to earn his law degree from Willamette University, where he was a member of the Law Review. Stan had a distinguished career spanning law, politics, and business. His involvement in national political affairs began in 1972, and he played key roles in managing several Republican conventions.

Notably, he served as Counsel to the Reagan-Bush Campaign in 1980 and held a senior position in the Presidential Transition of that year. His career also included time in the White House during the Nixon and Ford Administrations, along with senior roles in the State Department under Henry Kissinger.

Stan was honored with several Presidential appointments, including serving on the President's Advisory Committee on Trade Negotiations and the Presidential Commission on Personnel Interchange. He chaired the U.S. delegation to the 1981 United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Energy Resources. In 1981, Stan, along with three law partners, founded Anderson, Hibey, Nauheim & Blair, a prestigious firm specializing in corporate law, international trade, tax, litigation, and legislative and regulatory policy issues.

He later joined McDermott, Will & Emery in 1995, where he became a key figure, serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. There, he played a pivotal role in legal reform efforts, including chairing the successful initiative to pass class-action reform legislation. Stan also oversaw the National Chamber Litigation Center, the Institute for Legal Reform, and the Chamber's Office of General Counsel.

In addition to his legal career, Stan was Chairman of Global USA, Inc., a consulting firm he co-founded in 1982 with his great and dear friend, William E. Timmons. Stan also served on the Board of Directors for several public companies, including Physicians Realty Trust, CBRE, and Aegis Communications Group, where he also chaired their Audit Committees. He also served as President of the Birnam Wood Golf Club for the past two years.

Stan is survived by his son, Tad Anderson (Tad's wife Trish); his daughter, Mimi Anderson; and his grandson, Conor Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Lloyd T. and Marion Anderson. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Norma Lou DePoy, his dedicated administrative assistant of 36 years.

William Horner
June 11, 1943–July 20, 2024

It is with great sadness that the judges of the 12th Judicial District announce the passing of the Honorable William Horner on July 20, 2024. Judge Horner served as a District Court Judge, Circuit Judge and Presiding Judge in Polk County for many years and retired from the bench in 2012. His life and career were spent in service to the people of Polk County and the citizens of Oregon. Born and raised in the bay area of California, Horner graduated from the University of California, Davis. He moved to Oregon and attended Willamette University College of Law where he graduated in 1969. Horner was a fixture in Monmouth and Polk County. He began his career as a lawyer in private practice, but he made his mark in public service. He served as mayor of the city of Monmouth. He was elected District Attorney for Polk County and went on to spend over two decades as a trial judge in Polk County, first as a district court judge and later as a circuit court judge. Even after he retired, he continued serving the community through membership on local boards and commissions such as the Monmouth Budget Committee and the Monmouth Planning Committee.

As a judge, Bill Horner is best remembered for his work creating and presiding over the Polk County Drug Court. He recognized some criminal defendants needed more than probation and treatment to achieve sobriety and stop committing crimes. In 2005, along with community support, including the Polk County Commissioners, Horner founded a court where offenders were closely monitored, supported and held accountable as they moved through treatment and probation. This highly successful program effectively reduced crime in Polk County for 18 years before it ended last fall. Retired Judge Sally Avera remembered, “Bill Horner was a close friend and career mentor to me for more than 40 years. He knew law. More importantly, he knew people. Judge Horner believed deeply that individuals who have made poor choices in life have the capacity to change. The most fitting tribute to Judge Horner would be for someone struggling with addiction to reach out for help today. I suspect that he would be satisfied with that legacy.” Horner was also known for his work ethic. “Bill Horner was committed to being a judge,” Presiding Judge Norm Hill noted, “He rarely took a day off and he often worked on weekends to make sure that the courts in Polk County served the public.” Judge Horner will be missed. But his commitment to public service provides an example for others to follow.

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Aaron T. Bliss
November 5, 1946–March 8, 2025

Aaron Bliss Aaron Tyler Bliss, age 78, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at his home in Lake Oswego, Oregon, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Midland, Michigan, on November 5, 1946, to Kathryn Elizabeth (Currie) and Aaron T. Bliss.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jeanne Krouse Bliss; his children, Luman Tyler Bliss of Lake Oswego, Caroline (Shawn) Glad of Lake Oswego, Charlotte (Dominic) Castillo of Portland, and John (Erica) Bliss of Tampa, Florida; and fourteen grandchildren: Elizabeth and Madeline Bliss; Ellen, Mitch, Sophie, Margaret, and Henry Glad; Tessa Bliss and Nina and Mayme Castillo; and Pippa, Judah, Rafa, and Coco Bliss. He is also survived by his sister, Charlotte Lynn Sias of Spokane, WA.

"Ty" graduated from Midland High School and Bradley University, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. In 1969, he moved to Oregon to attend Willamette University School of Law and was admitted to the Oregon State Bar in 1973. He and Jeanne lived in Midland for 11 years before returning to Oregon in 1984. In Midland, he worked for National Residence Service and served on the Board of Directors at Chemical Bank.

A passionate genealogist, Ty spent years working on the Genealogy of the Bliss Family, originally written by John Homer Bliss in 1880. Beginning in 1978, Ty worked with a staff of five to update and expand the book, eventually publishing the 3-volume, 3000-page work in 1982.

In 1986, Ty organized a time capsule burial at the Parsons House in Northampton, Massachusetts. More than 225 Bliss families contributed letters and small articles for future generations to discover in 2086, under the guidance of the Northampton Historical Society (now Historic Northampton). Ty enjoyed a long career as a financial advisor, working in the field for 35 years. A lover of movies, an avid collector, and a skilled musician, he played the guitar, piano, and trumpet. He also ran four marathons and walked the entire Oregon coast from California to Washington. He walked a total of 3,000 miles in both 2022 and 2023. Ty will be remembered for his infectious sense of humor and his ability to laugh at himself. A bench will be dedicated in his honor in Lake Oswego.

Terrance A. Hall
June 25, 1947–April 19, 2024

Terrance A. Hall was born on June 25th, 1947, and raised as the only child of Dr. Cecil Hall and Dorothy Hall, in Great Falls, Montana. He attended Shattuck Military Academy in his first two years of high school, and then attended Great Falls High School where he graduated. After High School, Terry attended Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, where he graduated in 1969 as a History Major. During his senior year, Terry served as Student Body President, leading the student body in that difficult school year (68-69) during the Vietnam War. After college, he attended Willamette University College of Law where he graduated in 1973. Following Law School, he served as a Prosecutor in Washington County and Lane County, Oregon. While working in Lane County, he met Marlene Wylde, who was also an attorney in that office. They worked together to prosecute cases there. After they married, she continued to assist Terry on legal cases for the rest of his career. In 1978, Terry returned to Hillsboro, Oregon, where he began practice as a trial lawyer in the challenging fields of criminal defense, personal injury, and domestic relations. As an attorney for 43 years, Terry developed a deep respect for the laws and legal process of our country. Some may recall confrontation with Terry as an attorney in legal disputes, but none would question his zealous advocacy for his clients, which was greatly appreciated by them. Terry enjoyed skiing, hunting, sailing, and riding his motorcycle. Above all, he was a devoted husband to his wife, Marlene, and father to daughters, the Rev. Dr. Regan Schutz and Andrea Hall Ferranti, and their spouses, Paul Schutz and Christopher Ferranti, and grandfather to grandchildren, Cecilia Schutz, Genevieve Schutz, and Rocco Ferranti. Terry loved them all without reservation. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

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Douglas Alan Schoen
April 22, 1951–July 25, 2024

Doug Schoen Attorney Douglas Alan Schoen, age 73, passed away on July 25, 2024, following a tragic hiking accident in Forest Park. Douglas was born on April 22, 1951, in Lebanon, Ore. He spent most of his early childhood travelling between Oregon and Germany, where his parents were stationed in the military.

He attended Lebanon High School before becoming a passionate Duck, graduating from the University of Oregon in just three years. His passion for law led him to pursue law school at Boston College. After the heartbreaking loss of both his parents, Dr. Carroll Schoen and RN Lois Hansen, in close succession to cancer during his freshman year, Douglas returned to Oregon to care for his younger brother, Jeffrey Schoen, while completing law school at Willamette University.

Douglas began his legal career in private practice in Lebanon, Ore., dipping his toes in public defense. He eventually moved to Portland, specializing in employment and labor law, workers compensation and tort law.

Douglas is remembered for more accolades, love, and admiration than words can capture. He carried within him a rare kind of generosity, kindness, decency, and honesty qualities that others may spend a lifetime trying to embody, yet he exuded them effortlessly in every breath. He is also remembered for his personal resilience, having survived and thrived despite enduring multiple family and personal tragedies. His keen historical memory, sharp intellect, and warm wit were additional gifts he shared with those who knew and loved him.

The environment, and birds were always Douglas's greatest passion. This brought his family and friends comfort knowing that he passed away in pursuit of another beautiful memory among the trees, strolling in nature, along a favorite Forest Park path in NW Portland.

Douglas was also obsessed with slow food, great wine, travel, and music. He could sit for hours chatting over wine and a favorite opera album. His optimistic spirit, welcoming nature, and quickness to offer a firm handshake or a big hug made everyone who met him feel instantly at ease.His presence was a gift, and his memory will be cherished always.

Douglas's family would like to especially thank the ICU staff at Legacy Emanuel who took care of Douglas in his last and most precious moments. The expertise, kindness and respect shown by his RN Alan, and the medical team including Nancy, Riley, Christina, Audrey and her Palliative Care team including Dr. Hoon, and Dr. Raviv made all the difference.

Douglas was predeceased by his love of his life, his wife Janna Pfeifle, by his parents, Dr. Carroll Schoen and RN Lois Hansen, both of his siblings, Jeffrey Schoen & Lorrie Strickland, and his nephew Shane Winkler.

He is survived by his "lady of the manor" Matisse; a beautiful tortoiseshell kitty he absolutely spoiled rotten and his 'favorite' and only niece Becky Schoen.

Douglas, you are so very missed every single day. Thank you for your existence. We are all so very fortunate to have been welcomed into your orbit. You were truly the most amazing human, an inspiration to many, the husband of fairy tales, a solid friend and colleague, an incredible son and brother, and a supernova of an uncle. Your love knew no bounds.

Charles Luukinen
December 20, 1947–September 15, 2023

Longtime Salem-area judge and community volunteer Charles Luukinen died Friday at the age of 75. "Judge Luukinen’s professional life was dedicated to serving the people of Polk County and the citizens of Oregon," Polk County Circuit Court officials, now led by President Judge Norman Hill, said in a statement. Fresh out of Willamette University in 1975 and interviewing for a prosecutor job, Charles Luukinen visited the Polk County Courthouse in Dallas.

He walked past the sandstone facade, through the front doors under the clock tower and took a tour. “That’s what a courtroom is supposed to look like,” he would later recall saying at the time to colleagues, according to Polk County Circuit Judge Norman Hill.From then on, Luukinen would spend nearly half a century in the courtroom – as a prosecutor, a private attorney and as a judge. He died on Friday, Sept. 15.Luukinen, 75, oversaw the Polk County Circuit Court for nearly 25 years as the presiding judge. “He loved being a judge,” Hill told Salem Reporter. “He used to say to me, ‘This is the greatest job in the world.’” After retiring, Luukinen spent over a decade helping settle some of Oregon’s most complex and costly trials before they reached a jury. Colleagues described him as a larger-than-life phenomenon in the mid-Willamette Valley. With an innate sense of fairness, they say he had a knack for distilling complicated matters down to common sense morals.

“He probably was a genius. I don’t know that he ever took a test,” said retired Judge Monte Campbell. “Had almost a photographic memory. He just never forgot anything, and that’s quite a big toolset for the job he did.”Luukinen was born and raised in Astoria. While attending Oregon State University and Willamette University College of Law, he worked as a commercial fisherman. “He often talked fondly about spending summers on Alaska’s Bristol Bay,” Hill wrote in a letter announcing Luukinen’s death. Luukinen was appointed as a judge in 1986 to the Polk County District Court, which no longer exists, and advanced a year later to the circuit court. “It didn’t matter which lawyer was on which side.”He will continue to be an inspiration to his community and a pillar of strength and guidance for his family. He will be lovingly remembered, and deeply missed.

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Chris Pence
February 1, 1950–December 24, 2024

Chris Pence After a long illness, Christopher (Chris) Pence died peacefully at home on Christmas Eve. In his last days, Chris was visited by many loved ones, some of whom travelled great distances to say their good-byes.

Chris was born in Spokane, Washington, the youngest child of Dr. Lawrence Pence - the first board-certified surgeon in Spokane - and Christine Pence née Snow. Like his father, Chris graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane. While in high school, Chris was the editor of the student newspaper. He also joined the Spokane Mountaineers and participated in climbs with members of similar age who would go on to become world-famous climbers, including John Roskelley and Chris Kopczynski.

At Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, Chris was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and served as editor of The Pioneer, the student newspaper. He was one of three Whitman students who in 1970 participated in an exchange program with Howard University, an Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Washington D.C. Chris attended Spring Semester at Howard, a tumultuous time that included the last major demonstration against the Vietnam War, the shootings at Kent State and Jackson State, and the periodic closure of campus for the safety of students. Photographs he took chronicling his experience were shown to audiences upon his return, extending to others the wisdom Chris gained through his participation in the program.

After graduating from Whitman University in 1972, Chris worked as assistant editor at the Walla Walla Union Bulletin, a job that honed his writing skills and kindled his interest in the law. Before starting law school, however, Chris traveled extensively in Europe with friends, ending his stay with an intensive study of French at the Alliance Française School in Paris.

From 1974 through 1977, Chris attended Willamette University Law School, where he was elected an editor of the Willamette Law Journal and earned his Juris Doctor. After graduation, Chris went to work as a lawyer for the Washington State Bar Association, enforcing the state's ethical rules and disciplinary standards designed to maintain the integrity of all lawyers practicing before the bar.

Later, Chris started a practice with a law school classmate, forming one of Washington's preeminent personal injury law firms. Eventually, Chris specialized in representing the victims of medical negligence. For the last decade of his professional life, Chris worked as a solo practitioner out of the home he designed on Bainbridge Island's Blakely Harbor.

All who knew Chris will remember him for his passionate advocacy for the downtrodden, his concern for social justice, and his deliberate approach to the serious questions of life. He was generous, unpretentious, and loyal, and had a hearty and infectious laugh.

In his recreational time, Chris pursued his passion for growing fruit trees, fishing, photography, farming oysters, and rehabilitating a 1940's-era wooden trawler, which he captained on pleasure cruises with family and friends throughout Puget Sound and the Canadian Gulf Islands. His yearly trips to the family cabin on the Pend d'Oreille River in Idaho restored and energized Chris - a cabin built by his father in 1951.

Chris is the last of the Pence siblings to pass away, having been predeceased by sisters Sally and Judith, and brother Rob. With their parents, they constituted the "Six Pence," as proclaimed on the road sign leading to the family cabin.

Chris is survived by his daughter Christine, former wife Therese Coad, and longtime partner Teresa (Tess) McMahill. Chris also leaves behind nephews Braden Pence, Matthew Pence, Christopher Rooks, and Benjamin Hoisington; nieces Anna Chorey, Maria Bingham, and Rosa Coad; brother-in-law Charles Rooks, sisters-in-law Michele Coad and Shirley Kolm - and his beloved 15½ year old yellow lab, Annabelle.

The family requests that any remembrances be donated to ChildFund International. Plans for a celebration of Chris' life are being developed.

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Kyle Smith
November 7, 1953–November 28, 2024

Kyle Smith Kyle B. Smith, Esq., 71, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at the Cleveland Clinic after a brief illness.

He was born November 7, 1953, in Pensacola, Florida, the son of the late Neale and Gail (Hann) Smith. Kyle married the love of his life Lorraine Hengelbrok on June 11, 1987.

Attorney Kyle B. Smith grew up in Southern California raising steers in 4-H and working on his parents' 3-acre orange orchard. He graduated from the University of California, Davis, in 1976 with a B.A. in American history, and law school at Willamette University in Salem Oregon in 1980. He was on the Willamette Law Review and published an article in 1979 on Native American law.

Mr. Smith passed the Ohio Bar in 1980 and began a two-year teaching career at the University of Toledo Law School in Toledo, Ohio. In 1982 he began working for Ashtabula County Legal Aid and the Public Defender's Office and was appointed the Assistant Prosecutor for the City of Ashtabula in 1984. Later in 1984 he became the Law Director of Conneaut, Ohio and served in that capacity until June 1995.

He has been in private practice since 1991 in Jefferson, Ohio. He also served as the City of Conneaut Law Director from 1984 to 1995 and again from 2015-2022, and City Solicitor of Geneva on the Lake, from 2005-2021 and Solicitor of, Roaming Shores, from 2010-present.

Kyle has served on the boards of Homesafe, United Way, Ashtabula County Legal Aid, Leadership, the Ashtabula Arts Center, Ashtabula Arts Foundation, Community Counseling and the Conneaut Area City Board of Education.

Kyle was an avid sailor and loved racing sail boats. He was past commander of the Ashtabula Yacht Club. He enjoyed painting and writing poems. He wrote a book of poems called, "Beyond the Breakwall". He was also a talented musician and enjoyed playing Irish Music and the fiddle. He also expressed his talents through woodworking.

Kyle enjoyed the outdoors, he enjoyed biking, running, even completing a marathon which was a huge accomplishment. Traveling to Europe and seeing the world whether it be by land or water, he enjoyed taking in nature's beauty.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lorraine; father, Neale Smith; step-mother, Sheryl Thompson; brothers, Karl (Molly) Smith and Kurt (Onie) Smith; sister, Kathy Steele; aunt, Kathy Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Gail Smith in 1997; and sister, Karolyn Erickson.

Henry "Joel" Watkins IV
March 30, 1951–November 9, 2024

Henry "Joel" Watkins IV We are saddened to share that Joel Watkins, a man of remarkable intellect, quick wit, and a distinct sense of humor, passed away on November 9th at 73 years old, nearly a decade after he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. He is survived by his daughter Nicole Watkins, brother Richard Watkins, and nephews Sam and Drew Watkins.

Henry Joel Watkins IV was born in Seattle, Washington, on March 30th, 1951, to Patricia Calene Watkins and Henry Joel Watkins III. The family of three quickly became four when, 11 months later, his brother Richard was born.

Joel spent his childhood playing in the wilds of View Ridge and passing through the halls of the Seattle public school system from View Ridge Elementary to Eckstein Middle School. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1969 and attended The University of Wyoming on a ski racing scholarship, where he raced for a year on the ski team. Missing the Pacific Northwest, Joel returned and completed the remainder of his bachelor's degree at the University of Washington.

Joel spent his junior year abroad, studying French in Avignon and taking courses based at The London School of Economics. Joel was deeply curious about the world and its history. Upon completing his coursework abroad, he connected with his brother Richard and childhood friend Charles Mulvehill. They embarked on a trip through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and back. After his adventure, Joel returned to the U.S. and graduated in 1974.

At the end of Joel’s student deferments, due to his low draft number, he found himself in the draft induction process. Lingering health issues from his time abroad caused him to fail his physical. Later that year, Joel attended graduate studies at the UW and obtained a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature. Joel went on to attend Willamette University School of Law, where he met good friends John Weil, Michael Sandoval, and Angela Nolan. He graduated, passed the bar in 1980, and practiced law in Seattle until 2016.

Joel was a passionate skier. He first began skiing at 3 years old with his family, who stayed at the original Skier’s Inc. cabin at Ski Acres. In 1960, the family skied at Steven’s Pass before investing in Crystal Mountain Founders Club upon its opening in 1962. From childhood through retirement, Joel skied at Crystal, racing with the Crystal Mountain Alpine Club (CMAC) and attending summer ski camps as a teenager at Crystal Mtn, Mt. Hood, Mt Baker and Pinnacle Peak in Mount Rainier National Park.

Joel married Andrea Herrick in 1994, and Nicole was born in 1996. Joel taught Nicole to ski, and the family spent most weekends at Crystal Mountain Skiers Inc., an offshoot of the Skier’s Inc. Club at Ski Acres. As an outdoorsman, Joel first attempted a Mount Rainier climb while in high school alongside his brother as part of a climbing course led by Rainier Mountaineering Inc. He later summited the mountain in 1991 with his then-wife, Andrea Herrick. Joel and Andrea raised their daughter Nicole based on their shared passions for skiing, the great outdoors, and the arts.

Joel is known among his friends for his clever sense of humor, deep knowledge of history and culture, and a love of reading and good food. His humor resulted from his quiet observation, and if someone were to ask for his thoughts, Joel would gift them a sharp witticism. With an encyclopedic mind, he never stopped learning, reading voraciously, and seeking out art and history museums in every city. When Joel wasn’t traveling to new and interesting places, he was traveling through the pages of a good book, often bringing his daughter right along with him.

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