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Margaret Young Oberteuffer MAT ’62

Margaret Oberteuffer MAT ’62, February 8, 2000, in Island City, Oregon. She taught and was a counselor in high schools in Portland, Cove, and Union, Oregon, for 40 years, retiring in 1984. After retiring, she and her husband, Bill Oberteuffer ’47, lived on their ranch in Elgin, Oregon, and raised sheep and goats for wool and mohair. They were also avid travelers, visiting 27 countries in one year. She was a member of the Mazama Mountaineering Club and in 1997 was recognized by the club as an educator, mountaineer, leader, conservationist, and progressive forester. She is survived by her husband and a brother.

Sally C. Smithson Yeo MAT ’66

Sally C. Smithson Yeo MAT ’66, March 2, 2008, in Anacortes, Washington. Sally earned a BA from Lewis & Clark College in 1964. She taught public school K-12 courses and also taught at a community college. In 1999, she moved to Anacortes, where she worked as a technical writer in computing, and enjoyed painting, gardening, bird watching, and attending art festivals with her life partner, Virginia Foley. Survivors include her partner, two daughters and a son, and one granddaughter.

Jeanne Chan Yue ’41

A picture of Jeanne Chan Yue

Jeanne Chan Yue ’41 with John Yue

Jeanne Chan Yue ’41, August 17, 2010, in Flushing, New York, three days after her 90th birthday, from myelodysplastic syndrome. Jeanne was born in Portland, graduated from Lincoln High School, and came to Reed, where she wrote a sociology thesis. Her father was Chin Luck, an influential member of the Chinese business community and restaurateur, who managed to bring Jeanne’s mother to Portland from Toisan, China, after a separation of almost 20 years. Jeanne lived on a farm, and later in a house near Reed, where she would often go home for lunch. In 1946, she married John Kwok Yue, who came from a prominent Cantonese family and had diplomatic status attached to Nationalist China. After the Communist Revolution wiped out the family fortune, Jeanne and John traveled to New York City for work. John retrained as a scientific illustrator; Jeanne worked as a secretary at Bank of America on Wall Street for 25 years. “After my grandfather died in 1942, her life became one of juggling the care of my grandmother, her husband, and children,” wrote her son, John Jr. “And, also, working on Wall Street, which was an hour and a half commute each way.” The family eventually settled in Flushing, New York, along with their sons, John Jr. and Alan. Jeanne retired in 1981 to care for her mother, who died at the age of 104. For many years, Jeanne was recording secretary of the local chapter of AARP. “She was a remarkable, kind, well loved, but humble woman. Until the end, she retained youthfulness in looks and her distinctive girlish voice. Her mind was bright up to the last day, and she never found a crossword puzzle she couldn’t demolish.” In addition to her sons, Jeanne is survived by four grandchildren.

Dorothy Young Rosenberg ’41

Dorothy Young Rosenberg ’41, May 1, 2002, in Vancouver, Washington. Dorothy attended Reed in general studies for two years, focusing on a driving interest to write. She married Harrison S. Croman in 1943, and they later divorced, although she retained Croman for her pen name. Dorothy published 13 books for children and young adults, ranging from adventure to biography, and published a variety of magazine articles. She worked in Petersburg, Alaska, and was later employed by the Seattle Public Schools on the secretarial staff and as a writer. She then worked as a dormitory night supervisor at the University of Washington and resumed her studies by taking night classes. In retirement she taught old-time pattern dances to senior citizens, and swimming—her 50-year hobby. She was a member of the National League of American Pen Women, serving as president of the Seattle branch and editor of the newsletter, Whistling Swan. She is survived by a son and daughter and their family members, as well as by two brothers. Her second husband, George Rosenberg, and one daughter preceded her in death.

Robert Hideaki Yamagiwa ’67

Robert Hideaki Yamagiwa ’67, August 20, 2004, in Seattle. Bob received a BA in chemistry from Reed, and with the Dr. Mutsumi Nobe Memorial Scholarship for Graduate Work received a master’s in chemistry from the University of Oregon. In 1969, he married Sheila Quinn ’68; they later divorced. In 1973, Bob received a JD from the University of Oregon law school, and took a position as staff attorney for Legal Aid in Seattle. He assisted immigrants and refugees in understanding their rights, and dedicated his life to community service. He was an avid reader, an excellent gardener, and an "even better" cook. Survivors include his current wife, Myrna Z. Locsin, his son and daughter, five step-children, his mother, and a brother and sister.

Beverly Joyce Young Sandmann ’53

Beverly Joyce Young Sandmann ’53, February 1, 2007, in Carlsbad, California, from cancer. Beverly received a BA from Reed in chemistry. She was a lab technician, mother, and homemaker. In 1953, she married William H. Sandmann ’53; they later divorced. Daughter Paula Holden notes that her mother was always very proud to be a Reed graduate. Survivors include three daughters and two grandchildren.

Dan L. Young MALS ’70

Dan L. Young MALS ’70, November 24, 2010, in Lincoln, Nebraska, from brain cancer. Danny earned his BS from Kearney State College in education and a master's degree from Reed in mathematics, with additional education toward a PhD in mathematics from the University of Missouri. His first job was teaching high school math and science in Barnston, Nebraska; he also coached baseball, basketball, and football. He moved to Omaha's Westside High School, teaching math and coaching football, and then spent 17 years as offensive line coach of the fearsome University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, who won three national championships while he was on the coaching staff. Ken Nickerson ’63, professor of biology at the University of Nebraska, was in touch with us about Danny's death: “It was very much a surprise to me that a Reed alumnus ended up as a legendary football coach . . . A football coach from Reed was even more surprising in that I played (a little) on the 1959 Reed team, and I believe that football was dropped shortly thereafter.” Danny also taught football theory at and received the Lyell Bremser Merit Award. “The kids (players) absolutely loved Dan because of his honesty and the fact he was a straight shooter with them,” a colleague told the Husker Extra. “Ain't nothing phony about him. You knew where you stood with Dan, on the field and in the meeting room.” Survivors include his son and daughter, five grandchildren, and a brother.

Alta-Ruth Schmidt Young ’39

Alta-Ruth Schmidt Young ’39, July 4, 2009, in Oakhurst, California. Alta-Ruth came to Reed after studying in junior colleges in California. She earned a BA in general literature, and returned to the college in 1941 for a teaching certificate. “The year was well spent, although I subsequently went into social work rather than teaching.” She worked with teenagers through YMCA programs in Portland and in Bellingham, Washington. She married Edward H. Young Jr. in 1946 and did casework in Multnomah County for ten years until moving with her husband and their son to Los Gatos, California. Alta-Ruth considered her job as a medical social worker at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose to be her most satisfying work experience. After retiring in 1970, she and Edward moved to a home adjacent to Yosemite National Park. They owned a second home in Oakhurst, near their son and his family. Life in retirement remained busy and full. Alta-Ruth said that the years at Reed taught her to treasure time. “'Free time' is a luxury I have never since taken for granted!”

M. Alvazine Young ’27

M. Alvazine Young ’27, April 13, 1998, in Lakeland, Florida. After attending Reed for one year, she earned a BA at Florida Southern College in 1927 and a master’s in classics from Northwestern University in 1932. At the time of her retirement, she was a high school principal. In retirement she was very active in her community, serving on the board of the Methodist Church and volunteering with Friends of the Library and the Polk Museum. She was a member of the American Association of University Women.

Aileen Young Yip ’45

Aileen Young Yip ’45, March 16, 1997, in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received a master’s in education from the University of British Columbia in 1978 and pursued a teaching career at Vancouver Community College. She retired in 1988. Survivors include five children and four grandchildren.

Norman L. Yeon ’37

Norman LeRoy Yeon ’37, January 5, 2004, in Portland, Oregon. Norman earned a bachelor’s degree from Reed in general literature. He pursued graduate studies in fine arts at the Sorbonne in Paris and in Perugia, Italy, and in sociology at Columbia University. For a brief period, he worked in state-sponsored social programs in Oregon and California. During World War II, Norman served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, including two years in Alaska. After the war he returned to Portland and opened Crossroads, a shop featuring artistic works he selected in Europe and India. He eventually closed the shop and moved to San Francisco, pursuing an interest in real estate. After purchasing and developing land on the Oregon coast, he divided his time between the two locations. His interest in Oregon land use laws, coastal planning, and preservation of the Siskiyou National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge, influenced his decision to reside permanently in Oregon. Norman enjoyed art, 19th-century furniture, and classical music. He was described as a private man, who sponsored many philanthropic efforts anonymously. Survivors include his sister.

David Chung-Lun Yu ’50

David Chung-Lun Yu ’50, October 30, 2005, in California. David attended Reed for three years, earning a BS in electrical engineering in 1944 from Shandong University. He was a foreign trade consultant in China and Asia, C.E.O. of Opportunities Unlimited Associates, and a foreign intelligence analyst for the CIA. “Although I am not a Reed graduate,” he wrote in 1994, "my education in the true sense came from Reed. A man’s mind needs more food than pure professional training." He married Yu Shan (Louise Lee); they had son and daughter.

Clifton A. Young MAT ’69

Clifton Young MAT ’69, July 3, 1996, in Dickinson, North Dakota. Before entering the MAT program at Reed, he earned a BA from Haverford College and an MA in chemistry from Dartmouth. He later entered Tufts University, where he earned his PhD in chemistry in 1977. He taught chemistry at Tufts, the University of Dallas, Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, and Dickinson State University. He was a member of the Bismarck Friends Meeting. He is survived by a daughter, his parents, two brothers, a sister, and six nieces and nephews.

Dorothy Lucille Yerkes Bjorkman ’40

Dorothy Lucille Yerkes Bjorkman ’40, April 29, 2002, in Portland. She attended Reed for one year, a year that she said influenced her entire life. In 1938, she graduated from the Northwestern School of Business and took accounting at Mt. Hood Community College, working as a part-time stenographer and bookkeeper for the Griffith Rubber Mills until her retirement in 1978. She married Leonard Bjorkman in 1941, and they had two children. Survivors include her son and daughter, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Louise Elizabeth Stubblebine Young ’48

Louise Elizabeth Stubblebine Young ’48, April 25, 2008, in Ojai, California. Louise attended Reed for three years. She married Robert L. Young ’49 in 1947, and they moved to Vershire, Vermont, where they founded an economic cooperative that included a sawmill, maple syrup company, and weaving cooperative. In 1954, the couple and their three children moved to Nantucket, Massachusetts, where Louise worked as a reporter and copy editor for the local paper, the Town Crier. In 1960, the family moved to Alexandria, Virginia. Louise received a BA from the American University in history in 1962, and went on to earn an MA from George Washington University in guidance and counseling. She worked as a counselor with the Fairfax County School System in Virginia for 30 years, and was honored for the guidance she provided to adolescents and their families at Hayfield Junior High. In 1973, she received certification in reality therapy from the Institute of Reality Therapy. In retirement, she was a certified Master Gardener and studied piano. In 1999, Louise moved to Carpinteria, California, where she was active in the library literacy program, League of Women Voters, the Energy Alliance of Santa Barbara, and attended the symphony. Survivors include two daughters and a son. Robert and Louise divorced in 1972; Robert died in 2003.

Mary Elma Yeomans ’66

Mary Elma Yeomans ’66, October 28, 2012, in Newport Beach, California. Mary studied at Reed for a little more than two years.

George E. Young ’49

George was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and passed away the day before his 90th birthday. As an infant, he was adopted by George and Katherine Young, and when he was eight years old the family moved to Corvallis and then to Portland. George graduated from Benson High School and attended Reed. He served his country from 1946 to 1949 and became an avid supporter for veterans’ issues.

George worked in the banking industry for 40 years in various cities in the Northwest. After retiring, he and his wife, Jane, traveled and spent winters in the Phoenix, Arizona, area. He passed along his love of classical music to Jane, and they spent many enjoyable date nights at the Oregon Symphony. He kept abreast of current events, which often resulted in letters to the editor. He was always ready with a joke, advice, or an anecdote.

George is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jane Young, and his two daughters, Julie and Katherine.

John A. Yngve ’44

May 21, 2019, in Golden Valley, Minnesota

John contributed to the public good through his participation in 18 public offices and commissions. He served three terms as a Minnesota state representative, was a member of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, chaired the Metropolitan Transit Commission, and served on the Village Planning Commission and Village Council. In his own words he strived “to make government work a little better.”

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Robert W. Young ’42

December 4, 2020, in Staunton, Virginia.

Bob was born in Lewistown, Montana, where he graduated as valedictorian of his high school class. He went to Montana State University for a year before switching to Reed, where he wrote his thesis, “A Study of Methods for Estimating the Yield Rate of Serial Bonds,” with Prof. Frank Griffin [math 1911–56] advising.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, attending MIT to study meteorology and then serving in the Pacific. After the war, Bob married Elizabeth (Betty) Moore and settled in Staunton, Virginia. He worked a short stint at Ast Hardware in Staunton before opening his own store, Young True Value Hardware, which he operated until his retirement in 1990.

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Patricia Yeager Washburn ’58

September 18, 2022, in Northglenn, Colorado.

Though she was born in California, Pat was proud of her family’s connections to Colorado. Her mother, Eleanor, was the daughter of Ethel and Joe Mills, who built and ran the historic Crags Lodge in Estes Park. Her father, Dorr, was one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s first rangers. They instilled their daughter with a love of nature, which Pat passed on to her children and thousands of visitors who came to Rocky Mountain National Park, where she served as an enthusiastic part-time docent at the Rocky Mountain Conservancy into her late 70s.

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Judith Michie Sakurai Yamauchi ’60

July 12, 2022, in Portland, Oregon.

Judy was born in Portland, the last of six children of Chiyoko and Masaru Sakurai. Since her mother was induced one month early so that the doctor could go on vacation, Judy was quite small (5 lb.) and slept most of her first year. When she was three years old, she and her family were sent to the Portland Assembly Center (Pacific International Livestock Exposition Pavilion) until the permanent concentration camps could be set up in south central Idaho. She spent ages four to six at the Minidoka Relocation Center in Idaho.

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