Mervyn Heimo Loya
02/20/1940 - 01/22/2020
Merv died peacefully on January 22 surrounded by family after battling Alzheimer's. He is survived by his daughter, Kristin; son, Kari; granddaughter, Kamila; sister, Karin; and brother, Alan.
Merv was born and raised in Monmouth, Illinois, where his father, Heimo, ran the Monmouth College music department. His grandparents had emigrated from Finland, where Merv studied a year abroad during college. Merv received his B.A. from Monmouth College (majoring in music), an M.A. in Political Science from Columbia University (Scandinavian Studies/Finnish), and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.
He worked at Legal Aid in Portland and Eugene, a private law firm in Eugene, and retired from the University of Oregon School of Law where he worked as an assistant dean and director of career services for 22 years. In 2009 Merv received the School's Meritorious Service Award. During his career he also served as president of the Lane County Bar Association and was an active member of the advisory committee for the Oregon Campaign for Equal Justice.
Merv enjoyed listening to music, hiking and outdoor adventure, and reading about politics and current events. He commuted by bike most of his career, and at the age of 75 he completed the TransAmerica bike route across the United States with his son.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, March 1 at 1:30pm in Eugene at the University of Oregon School of Law. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Merv's honor to the University of Oregon School of Law to support students pursuing careers in public service, and to Monmouth College (IL) to support his father's scholarship fund, the Hal and Eileen Loya Scholarship Fund.
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Published by Eugene Register-Guard from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Mervyn Loya

Sponsored by Andreason's Cremation & Burial Service.

12 Entries

Karen OConnor Kruse

June 12, 2020

To Merv's family - I was a student at the U of O Law School in the 90's, and Merv was such a help to all of us, and to me in particular. I was fortunate to land a clerkship at Harrang as a 1L, and while he never admitted it, I have a strong suspicion that he played a role in that job, and I know for a fact that he was similarly supportive of later jobs, for me and for my classmates. Always encouraging, always hopeful, and always with a kind smile. He touched so many lives, and I'm grateful to have been one of those. I'm sorry for your loss, and I hope you hold many wonderful memories of him in your hearts. Karen O'Connor Kruse, UO Law 1995.

Kay Bailey

February 28, 2020

It was an honor to know Merv. As one of his staff at the UO Law School, I can say that he was incredibly detail oriented and organized. He was also unfailingly generous and kind, and so proud of his family! He was always physically active and was proud to display pictures from his adventures with his son Kari on his walls, as well as beautiful art from his daughter Kristin. Merv was definitely one of the kindest people I've ever known. He always asked about my husband and daughter even after his memory was not at its best and was always genuinely interested in the answers. And when he was living in memory care, staff said he always took new people under his wing, and during his birthday celebration, worried that everyone would get a piece of his cake. It's hard for me to believe that he's not in our physical world anymore. I myself have lost a dear friend and staunch supporter, and I miss him.

February 28, 2020

Condolences and fond memories to all who gather for the Celebration of Life for Merv. May he rest in peace.

Jim & Marja SANDBERG, Bushwood, MD

Les Swanson

February 27, 2020

I met Merv when he came to Eugene to head a new legal aid office. We became friends and so did our wives. Merv always extended credit to others and deflected attention focused on him. He was disciplined in his work and took his community and social responsibilities seriously. He smiled a lot and could easily chuckle. He was kind and gentle and aggressive only in fulfilling his duties such as being a constant presence and volunteer at Oregon track meets. In public speaking he liked to use examples from the Peanuts cartoons. I worked closely with him in our law firm that he managed for years - I smoked a pipe then and an occasional cigar and Merv would come into my office and suggest we install a smoke swallowing machine - always quietly and gently - I was obtuse to my poisoning the air for others so a machine found its way onto my side desk. Our friendship continued over the years and I miss Merv as one of the fine men who have walked on our planet.

John Haapala

February 20, 2020

Thank you for your kindness during law school and after Merv!

lepää rauhassa,

February 5, 2020

My deepest condolences to Mervyn's family. May the God of peace and comfort be with the family during this most difficult time.

John Arnold

February 4, 2020

I had the great pleasure of getting to know Merv when he was the office manager of a law firm where I worked. Merv was a thoughtful, kind, and wonderfully compassionate man who cared deeply about others. My sincere condolences go out to his family and many friends. He will be missed.

Alice Haznedl

February 4, 2020

So sad to hear of Marv's passing. He was a remarkable guy and a wonderful friend at Monmouth.

William Urban

February 3, 2020

I met him often when he came to visit his mother. He was a loving son, and Eileen was immensely proud of him. It was an honor to have been allowed to know him.

Linda Taylor

February 3, 2020

Merv was my friend and high school classmate.He was one of the kindest smartest and most interesting people I've ever known.When he came back to Monmouth for visits he always came in where I worked and said Hello.He was very proud of his family and I'm sure they were just as proud of him.We need all the Merv Loya's we can get in this world today.You will be missed Merv.

Sammy Epstein

February 3, 2020

Merv was a very kind and concerned Associate Dean, especially regarding professional placement. He will be missed by many, many former law students.

He was also a lover of jazz music who went out of his way to attend concerts of my jazz group, for which I was most grateful.

Dean Kaufman

February 2, 2020

Merv hired me at Lane County Legal Aid in 1970 for my first "real job" as a lawyer, based on a long-distance telephone relay interview while I was a VISTA lawyer in Pago Pago. It was during a torrential Samoan downpour, and it showed what kind of person Merv was, because neither of us could really hear the other over the pounding on the tin roof. His faith was repaid by my taking refuge in his office during one of our staff squirt-gun fights, which he tolerated with his usual bemused good-humor. He "gave us our head" as zealous ideologues fighting the War on Poverty, allowing us to do pretty much what we wanted and letting the chips fall where they may...just quietly supporting us and giving guidance when asked. Merv has got to be one of the nicest people I've ever known and we'll all miss him.

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