January 2, 1928 - February 1, 2011
DALLAS - Allen D. Epp, 83, a resident of Dallas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 in the Salem Hospital. His journey began near Henderson (Hampton), Nebraska on January 2, 1928. He was known in the small Mennonite community as the boy in the body cast who sang hymns for nickels, then went door to door in solicitation of unread materials while he tended goats for his uncle on the farm with the local swimming hole.
Family ties and depression economics led to his family's move to Luton, Iowa where he graduated high school along with his cousin Lloyd Penner (Dallas) and five others in 1946. Allen was baptized during living and attending high school in Luton, Iowa, while attending Lake Crystal Bible Camp near Sioux City, Iowa. His love of learning led to a Bachelor's degree from Iowa State Teacher's college. Graduate work at Colorado State in Greeley preceded his move to Portland and his 55 continuous years of employment as a teacher.
By the time of his graduation, his parents, Isaac and Helen, and sister Eunice (Wall) had moved to yet a third Mennonite community, Mountain Lake, Minnesota, where he was to meet his wife of 30 years, Gladys Fast (Pauls).
In the mid-sixties he arranged for his parents to travel to Portland by train accompanied by many ethnic foods. Helen became a local media celebrity as she demonstrated her catering on TV and in local papers.
After teaching 8th graders at Kennedy Grade School, Allen moved on as an American History instructor at Roosevelt High School. He resisted the mandate to serve as a coach in order to lead students on a re-tracing of the Lewis and Clark route in 1963. Many locals along with way were surprised to learn of their proximity to history, a situation commonly found as Allen eventually visited nearly every state in the country. Research through experience during school vacations followed exploration through print, notably Sunday papers from cities across the country that arrived in Portland by rail and were held for him. He wrote for and received exclusive invitations to visit museums and historic sites across the country, documenting all in slide form. Only a fraction ever made it into his lectures, yet students universally judged his classes among their most interesting.
When Portland Community College was launched, Allen jumped at the chance to focus on specific areas: Oregon History and Religion in America. He served for several years as Dean of Social Sciences at the new Sylvania campus, while he hosted an educational series co-produced by PCC and Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Oregon's Colonial Heritage". It was the network's most popular local show for many years. He pursued his interest in history by serving as President of the Aurora Historical Society, taking residence there for a few years before returning to his intellectual family in Portland until his retirement in 2006 when he moved to Dallas to be near his son Mark. In addition to his involvement with the local medical community, Allen patronized many local establishments and offered his informed opinion on a variety of subjects to any interested party.
A long time fan of the Carter Family, he was thrilled to read "Charlatan" by Pope Brock when it came out a few years ago. It told the story of John R. Brinkley; the goat gland doctor who broadcast to the Midwest from Mexico a radio show featuring county music's founding family. He loved to tell the story of how FDR stayed in office thanks to the good doctor. It made for perfect barber shop banter.
A long time supporter of the Mennonite Fall Festival in Albany Allen would appreciate any donation, in lieu of flowers be made to the Mennonite Central Committee for disaster relief effort.
He is survived by his son Mark of Dallas. He was preceded in death by a daughter Jean Epp on December 22, 2009.
A memorial service will begin at 3:00 pm Friday, February 11th in the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. A memorial service is also being planned on the campus of the Portland Community College at the end of winter term. Interment will be in Henderson, Nevada (edit correction, should read - at the Beaver Valley Cemetery near Hampton, Nebraska) with a view of the Oregon Trail. To leave an on-line condolence for the family go to www.dallastribute.com.
Published in StatesmanJournal on February 6, 2011
DALLAS - Allen D. Epp, 83, a resident of Dallas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 in the Salem Hospital. His journey began near Henderson (Hampton), Nebraska on January 2, 1928. He was known in the small Mennonite community as the boy in the body cast who sang hymns for nickels, then went door to door in solicitation of unread materials while he tended goats for his uncle on the farm with the local swimming hole.
Family ties and depression economics led to his family's move to Luton, Iowa where he graduated high school along with his cousin Lloyd Penner (Dallas) and five others in 1946. Allen was baptized during living and attending high school in Luton, Iowa, while attending Lake Crystal Bible Camp near Sioux City, Iowa. His love of learning led to a Bachelor's degree from Iowa State Teacher's college. Graduate work at Colorado State in Greeley preceded his move to Portland and his 55 continuous years of employment as a teacher.
By the time of his graduation, his parents, Isaac and Helen, and sister Eunice (Wall) had moved to yet a third Mennonite community, Mountain Lake, Minnesota, where he was to meet his wife of 30 years, Gladys Fast (Pauls).
In the mid-sixties he arranged for his parents to travel to Portland by train accompanied by many ethnic foods. Helen became a local media celebrity as she demonstrated her catering on TV and in local papers.
After teaching 8th graders at Kennedy Grade School, Allen moved on as an American History instructor at Roosevelt High School. He resisted the mandate to serve as a coach in order to lead students on a re-tracing of the Lewis and Clark route in 1963. Many locals along with way were surprised to learn of their proximity to history, a situation commonly found as Allen eventually visited nearly every state in the country. Research through experience during school vacations followed exploration through print, notably Sunday papers from cities across the country that arrived in Portland by rail and were held for him. He wrote for and received exclusive invitations to visit museums and historic sites across the country, documenting all in slide form. Only a fraction ever made it into his lectures, yet students universally judged his classes among their most interesting.
When Portland Community College was launched, Allen jumped at the chance to focus on specific areas: Oregon History and Religion in America. He served for several years as Dean of Social Sciences at the new Sylvania campus, while he hosted an educational series co-produced by PCC and Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Oregon's Colonial Heritage". It was the network's most popular local show for many years. He pursued his interest in history by serving as President of the Aurora Historical Society, taking residence there for a few years before returning to his intellectual family in Portland until his retirement in 2006 when he moved to Dallas to be near his son Mark. In addition to his involvement with the local medical community, Allen patronized many local establishments and offered his informed opinion on a variety of subjects to any interested party.
A long time fan of the Carter Family, he was thrilled to read "Charlatan" by Pope Brock when it came out a few years ago. It told the story of John R. Brinkley; the goat gland doctor who broadcast to the Midwest from Mexico a radio show featuring county music's founding family. He loved to tell the story of how FDR stayed in office thanks to the good doctor. It made for perfect barber shop banter.
A long time supporter of the Mennonite Fall Festival in Albany Allen would appreciate any donation, in lieu of flowers be made to the Mennonite Central Committee for disaster relief effort.
He is survived by his son Mark of Dallas. He was preceded in death by a daughter Jean Epp on December 22, 2009.
A memorial service will begin at 3:00 pm Friday, February 11th in the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. A memorial service is also being planned on the campus of the Portland Community College at the end of winter term. Interment will be in Henderson, Nevada (edit correction, should read - at the Beaver Valley Cemetery near Hampton, Nebraska) with a view of the Oregon Trail. To leave an on-line condolence for the family go to www.dallastribute.com.
Published in StatesmanJournal on February 6, 2011
January 2, 1928 - February 1, 2011
DALLAS - Allen D. Epp, 83, a resident of Dallas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 in the Salem Hospital. His journey began near Henderson (Hampton), Nebraska on January 2, 1928. He was known in the small Mennonite community as the boy in the body cast who sang hymns for nickels, then went door to door in solicitation of unread materials while he tended goats for his uncle on the farm with the local swimming hole.
Family ties and depression economics led to his family's move to Luton, Iowa where he graduated high school along with his cousin Lloyd Penner (Dallas) and five others in 1946. Allen was baptized during living and attending high school in Luton, Iowa, while attending Lake Crystal Bible Camp near Sioux City, Iowa. His love of learning led to a Bachelor's degree from Iowa State Teacher's college. Graduate work at Colorado State in Greeley preceded his move to Portland and his 55 continuous years of employment as a teacher.
By the time of his graduation, his parents, Isaac and Helen, and sister Eunice (Wall) had moved to yet a third Mennonite community, Mountain Lake, Minnesota, where he was to meet his wife of 30 years, Gladys Fast (Pauls).
In the mid-sixties he arranged for his parents to travel to Portland by train accompanied by many ethnic foods. Helen became a local media celebrity as she demonstrated her catering on TV and in local papers.
After teaching 8th graders at Kennedy Grade School, Allen moved on as an American History instructor at Roosevelt High School. He resisted the mandate to serve as a coach in order to lead students on a re-tracing of the Lewis and Clark route in 1963. Many locals along with way were surprised to learn of their proximity to history, a situation commonly found as Allen eventually visited nearly every state in the country. Research through experience during school vacations followed exploration through print, notably Sunday papers from cities across the country that arrived in Portland by rail and were held for him. He wrote for and received exclusive invitations to visit museums and historic sites across the country, documenting all in slide form. Only a fraction ever made it into his lectures, yet students universally judged his classes among their most interesting.
When Portland Community College was launched, Allen jumped at the chance to focus on specific areas: Oregon History and Religion in America. He served for several years as Dean of Social Sciences at the new Sylvania campus, while he hosted an educational series co-produced by PCC and Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Oregon's Colonial Heritage". It was the network's most popular local show for many years. He pursued his interest in history by serving as President of the Aurora Historical Society, taking residence there for a few years before returning to his intellectual family in Portland until his retirement in 2006 when he moved to Dallas to be near his son Mark. In addition to his involvement with the local medical community, Allen patronized many local establishments and offered his informed opinion on a variety of subjects to any interested party.
A long time fan of the Carter Family, he was thrilled to read "Charlatan" by Pope Brock when it came out a few years ago. It told the story of John R. Brinkley; the goat gland doctor who broadcast to the Midwest from Mexico a radio show featuring county music's founding family. He loved to tell the story of how FDR stayed in office thanks to the good doctor. It made for perfect barber shop banter.
A long time supporter of the Mennonite Fall Festival in Albany Allen would appreciate any donation, in lieu of flowers be made to the Mennonite Central Committee for disaster relief effort.
He is survived by his son Mark of Dallas. He was preceded in death by a daughter Jean Epp on December 22, 2009.
A memorial service will begin at 3:00 pm Friday, February 11th in the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. A memorial service is also being planned on the campus of the Portland Community College at the end of winter term. Interment will be in Henderson, Nevada (edit correction, should read - at the Beaver Valley Cemetery near Hampton, Nebraska) with a view of the Oregon Trail. To leave an on-line condolence for the family go to www.dallastribute.com.
Published in StatesmanJournal on February 6, 2011
DALLAS - Allen D. Epp, 83, a resident of Dallas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 in the Salem Hospital. His journey began near Henderson (Hampton), Nebraska on January 2, 1928. He was known in the small Mennonite community as the boy in the body cast who sang hymns for nickels, then went door to door in solicitation of unread materials while he tended goats for his uncle on the farm with the local swimming hole.
Family ties and depression economics led to his family's move to Luton, Iowa where he graduated high school along with his cousin Lloyd Penner (Dallas) and five others in 1946. Allen was baptized during living and attending high school in Luton, Iowa, while attending Lake Crystal Bible Camp near Sioux City, Iowa. His love of learning led to a Bachelor's degree from Iowa State Teacher's college. Graduate work at Colorado State in Greeley preceded his move to Portland and his 55 continuous years of employment as a teacher.
By the time of his graduation, his parents, Isaac and Helen, and sister Eunice (Wall) had moved to yet a third Mennonite community, Mountain Lake, Minnesota, where he was to meet his wife of 30 years, Gladys Fast (Pauls).
In the mid-sixties he arranged for his parents to travel to Portland by train accompanied by many ethnic foods. Helen became a local media celebrity as she demonstrated her catering on TV and in local papers.
After teaching 8th graders at Kennedy Grade School, Allen moved on as an American History instructor at Roosevelt High School. He resisted the mandate to serve as a coach in order to lead students on a re-tracing of the Lewis and Clark route in 1963. Many locals along with way were surprised to learn of their proximity to history, a situation commonly found as Allen eventually visited nearly every state in the country. Research through experience during school vacations followed exploration through print, notably Sunday papers from cities across the country that arrived in Portland by rail and were held for him. He wrote for and received exclusive invitations to visit museums and historic sites across the country, documenting all in slide form. Only a fraction ever made it into his lectures, yet students universally judged his classes among their most interesting.
When Portland Community College was launched, Allen jumped at the chance to focus on specific areas: Oregon History and Religion in America. He served for several years as Dean of Social Sciences at the new Sylvania campus, while he hosted an educational series co-produced by PCC and Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Oregon's Colonial Heritage". It was the network's most popular local show for many years. He pursued his interest in history by serving as President of the Aurora Historical Society, taking residence there for a few years before returning to his intellectual family in Portland until his retirement in 2006 when he moved to Dallas to be near his son Mark. In addition to his involvement with the local medical community, Allen patronized many local establishments and offered his informed opinion on a variety of subjects to any interested party.
A long time fan of the Carter Family, he was thrilled to read "Charlatan" by Pope Brock when it came out a few years ago. It told the story of John R. Brinkley; the goat gland doctor who broadcast to the Midwest from Mexico a radio show featuring county music's founding family. He loved to tell the story of how FDR stayed in office thanks to the good doctor. It made for perfect barber shop banter.
A long time supporter of the Mennonite Fall Festival in Albany Allen would appreciate any donation, in lieu of flowers be made to the Mennonite Central Committee for disaster relief effort.
He is survived by his son Mark of Dallas. He was preceded in death by a daughter Jean Epp on December 22, 2009.
A memorial service will begin at 3:00 pm Friday, February 11th in the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. A memorial service is also being planned on the campus of the Portland Community College at the end of winter term. Interment will be in Henderson, Nevada (edit correction, should read - at the Beaver Valley Cemetery near Hampton, Nebraska) with a view of the Oregon Trail. To leave an on-line condolence for the family go to www.dallastribute.com.
Published in StatesmanJournal on February 6, 2011
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