Garry Stensland

07/25/1939 - 07/21/2025

Garry was a man great of stature, determination and heart, who enriched the lives of his family, teammates, students and friends. He taught his daughters to, Be quick but don't hurry, Be everyone's friend, and Where there is a will, there is a way. He was thoughtful, appreciative and kind.

He was born in Portland, Ore., but lived in Ketchikan, Alaska, until he was eight years old and frequently talked about his return to Oregon on a steamship. In Alaska, he enjoyed family gatherings on Gravina Island, where he relished the freedom to explore forests, shorelines and streams inspiring his passion for nature.

For more than fifty years, his summers were spent commercial salmon fishing with his family in Alaska. In his early 20's his father, with help from Garry, built the Sea Animal, a beautiful wooden drift gillnet boat. Garry passed this family fishing tradition on to his daughters and shared this extraordinary experience with numerous deckhands.

He attended Rockwood Elementary and Gresham High School, where he was a football lineman and wrestled. He earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Oregon, where he played football, wrestled, and earned his B.S. in Biology. He later returned to the U of O for a Master's degree in Biology. Garry rarely missed a Duck Football game and enjoyed attending track and field and wrestling events when possible.

While wrestling for the U of O and the Multnomah Athletic Club, Garry won many wrestling matches. Highlights of his career include: two NCAA divisional championships, four AAU Greco National Championships, three AAU podium finishes in Freestyle, and invitations to the Olympic Trials in 1960, 1964, and 1968, and a trip to Romania in 1967 representing the United States in the World Championships - Greco Roman. He was honored for his wrestling career by having his photo included on the wall of fame in the MAC Lobby.

For 32 years, Garry enriched the lives of students and colleagues at Sunset High School by sharing his passion for science, and biology in particular. He maintained a specimen filled classroom where students were offered experiences that piqued their interest and, with his colleagues, arranged extended field trips to visit Oregon's natural treasures and created a Biology 2 Class. He was also selected to teach the AP Biology course.

Garry was an avid skier and met his wife, Ardith, on Mt Hood. He, Ardith and their daughters, enjoyed many years of skiing adventures with family and friends. For many years, their motorhome could be found in the parking lot of Mt Hood Meadows ski area most weekends, and he was quick to offer a cocoa (rum optional) to anyone who knocked on the door.

Garry maintained his positive attitude during his struggle with Alzheimer's. He was entertaining visitors, singing, working puzzles, enjoying ice cream, and continually expressing his gratitude to those who assisted him. He collected new friends and admirers to the very end.

Garry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ardith; their daughters, Kirsten Stensland and Karen Sherman (Chris); two grandchildren, Jack and Nora Sherman; and his brother, Ronald Stensland. He was predeceased by his parents, Leona and Walter Stensland Sr.; and his brothers, Lawrence and Walter Stensland Jr.

Friends are welcome to join us to share their stories of Garry on August 29th, from 11 - 2 at The Pizza Caboose, 11670 SW Pacific Hwy., Tigard, Ore., 97223.