Ron Eachus

Salem - Ron Eachus, age 76, died from heart failure on October 13 while hiking in Bhutan. A noted Oregon Public Utility Commissioner, state legislator, student activist, civic figure, columnist, and dear friend to many, Ron lived a life in service to others.

Born in Nyssa Oregon, Ron grew up in Molalla, Oregon where he played baseball and tennis on his high school teams and gained his love of investigative reporting and journalism from his high school journalism teacher.

In 1965, Ron went to the University of Oregon on a journalism scholarship. He became editor of the University of Oregon student newspaper, the Daily Emerald, in 1968, and student body president in 1970-1971.

At the University of Oregon, Ron became a nationally known student leader in opposing the Vietnam War. He both organized and spoke at many protests. He was part of a delegation of 16 student leaders that went to North Vietnam to meet with Vietnamese student leaders and craft a peace treaty.

After college, Ron worked in the office of Oregon congressman Jim Weaver in Washington, D.C. He then returned to Oregon and was elected to the Oregon House where he served from 1985 to 1987. Ron was known as an effective, productive legislator working on a range of issues.

In 1987, Ron was appointed to the newly formed three-person Oregon Public Utility Commission and named its Chair. During his tenure from 1987 through 2001, Ron was an unstinting advocate for consumers and oversaw major transformations of the industries he regulated. Among the accomplishments during his time on the Commission:

- Denied U.S. West a $28 million rate increase and required them to cut rates and to improve the quality of service offered to landline customers.

- Adopted a new planning regime for private electric and natural gas utilities that emphasizes energy conservation and renewable resources to serve customers.

- Approved the closure of the Trojan nuclear power plant.

- Established increased service standards for all regulated utilities.

Ron was also instrumental in the design and development of Oregon's electricity reform law and the creation of the Energy Trust - the Oregon non-profit that runs programs to save energy and develop renewable resources on behalf of regulated utility ratepayers.

After serving on the Commission, Ron was an international energy consultant who helped former Soviet-bloc countries and other countries put in place needed regulatory laws and institutions to transition from government-owned utilities to privately-owned utilities.

Even in retirement, Ron never tired of being useful. He wrote a column on local, state, and national issues for the Salem Statesman Journal and Salem Weekly. He was on the City of Salem Planning Commission. He served on the board of Progressive Salem, actively recruiting and supporting many local candidates for city, county, and state offices. He was also President of the Salem City Club and active in his local neighborhood association, SWAN.

Ron was an avid, accomplished rafter. He rafted many rivers including the Rogue, Clackamas, Owyhee, North Santiam, North Umpqua, McKenzie, and Snake. He also made trips on the Colorado River, Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers, and Alaskan rivers.

Ron was a major world traveler visiting more than 50 countries for work and play. He also loved hiking, reading, and get-togethers with friends.

A memorial service will be held from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday, January 6 at the Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial Street SE, Salem 97301. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ron's life.

As a remembrance, any donations made on Ron's behalf are requested to go to OPB.

Ron leaves behind a legacy of public service, advocacy for the common good, and sheer love of life. His friends and associates will miss him deeply.