Allen D. Epp

1928 - 2011

BORN

1928

DIED

2011

Allen Epp Obituary

Allen D. Epp

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, 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 Nebraska with a view of the Oregon Trail. To leave an on-line condolence for the family go to www.dallastribute.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Statesman Journal on Feb. 6, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Allen Epp

12 Entries

Jean Spaulding White

February 16, 2011

I began my teaching career as an English teacher at Roosevelt High School in 1959. Mr. Epp was one of the "good ones", a teacher who kids talk about with fondness and respect. He would open his home to students and staff for discussions. His dedication and professionalism were a lifelong influence in my career in education. Family members, you must be very proud of his legacy.

Janet Strahl

February 9, 2011

As an 18-year-old freshman at PCC in 1991, I signed up for a history class to meet degree requirements. Mr. Epp's class quickly became my favorite hour of the day. It was amazing to me that he would walk into the classroom and begin his lesson, never once looking at a note and yet never losing his place. Mr. Epp was such a great story teller and teacher, I also took a term of History of Religion in the US just for the fun of it. He was a gem and I still think of him everytime I see a historical marker or visit a community history museum.

Mike Salvo

February 8, 2011

I had Mr. Epp as a Roosevelt teacher in 1955 for Social Studies. At the time he wore his hair rather long and had his trademark heavy black rim glasses. I think that some of us that were 6ft or taller perhaps intimidated him as he was shorter. He would sit behind his desk until all of us were seated, then he would stand and be the tallest person in the room. I don't think I appreciated him at the time, but later in life realized he did make me think and apply myself to a rather dry subject. I am glad to learn he led a very distinguished life after leaving RHS. I think having survived Roosevelt in those days prepared him for anything that might have come his way later. My sincere condolences to the family, Mr. Epp left his mark on many of us.

Richard Robb

February 7, 2011

Allen and I were close to the same age and had lived through some of the history he was teaching.when making a salient point he would often look to mefor back-up.

He would have been right at home if he had lived in the colonies.

On one occasion I invited him to give a talk at the Pioneer church in Carver and he gave a wonderful history lesson to about four hundred folks.

What a pleasure to have known such an honest and dedicated man.

Anne G. Foster

February 7, 2011

I was on the faculty at the same time as Allen Epp. Several of us took classes re Oregon History from him. One such class was a tour he led to the commune of the Rashneeshees. Epp gave us a whole new outlook to communal life, including the start of the Aurora Colony. He was a truly dedicated teacher.

Lael (Frison) Larger

February 7, 2011

Mr. Epp was my social studies teacher at Roosevelt High in the early 60's. In all the years that I attended school, I had few teachers that stood out as great teachers. Mr. Epp was certainly one of those, and one of my favorites. He not only had such a great love for history and his job as teacher, but a great sense of fairness and justice for all people. That is what I admired about him the most. To this day, whenever I talk about my school years, I always tell people about the outstanding teacher I had at Roosevelt---Mr. Epp. I send my condolensces to his family.

wumi peters

February 7, 2011

sun re o

VonaLee Adams-Lawrence

February 7, 2011

February 7, 2011
Mr. Epp taught both my sisters and myself at Roosevelt High from 1958-1967. His love and enthusasium of history was most inspiring to me. A love I continue to nurture to this day. I have great memories of my time in school with Mr. Epp. I will miss him greatly. Thank you Mr. Epp!

A M

February 6, 2011

I started my college studies at PCC. Mr. Epp was one of my first teachers. I eventually went on to get my BS from a state university, and my MS from a private college. Hands down, he stands out of one of my favorites. He just loved history so much, and he shared his enthusiasm with all of us. Plus, he was a riot. He really had a good sense of humor. His classes were a true pleasure. Thank you Mr. Epp!

Susan & Cameron Wilson

February 6, 2011

My husband and I were sad to hear of Mr. Epp's death. Back in the 1980's I was working at PCC in a department that shared office space with the Social Science faculty. I was taking night classes, and one summer I decided to take US History, taught by Mr. Epp.

The day before HST 201 began, I made the acquaintance of a student whose business class had been canceled due to low enrollment. The next evening, while waiting for Mr. Epp to arrive, I looked around the room and recognized only one face. It was the friendly guy from the day before. We sat next to each other the entire term, studied together for exams, and our first real date was a field trip to the Aurora Oxbarn Museum for which Mr. Epp granted extra credit.

At our wedding the following summer, Mr. Epp was a guest of honor. He is seen on our wedding video proudly telling the story of how we met in his class. Thank you, Mr. Epp, for your contributing chapter to our family history.

February 6, 2011

Mr. Epp was my social studies teacher at Roosevelt. He was without a doubt one of my favorite and very best teacher's I ever had. One great story, the world series with my family's favorite baseball team NY Yankees was going on(they had day games back then) and I brought a transistor(yes, that's what they were called)radio to school to listen to as much of the game as possible while trying to hide it.Mr. Epp heard the radio and just told me to turn it up so all could hear.I was so happy. He taught me so very much and I appreciate him to this day.
Judy(Murphy) Yost

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