Paul Stephas

I just recently heard about Dr. Stephas´s passing from my brother. We moved to La Grande when I was 7 and started 2nd grade. I graduated from High School there in 1978 and wanted to attend Oregon State University to get a degree in Electrical Engineering. Unfortunately, neither I nor my parents, had the money to allow me to do so. Instead, I enrolled in the Physics program at, what was known back then, Eastern Oregon State College, or EOSC. I met Dr. Stephas in my first quarter and enjoyed his teaching and mentoring over the next four years before graduating in 1982. After graduating, I enrolled to become an U.S. Air Force Officer where I was able to receive both a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering during my 11-year career. I went on to work for the Dept. of Defense for another 33 years as an electrical and avionics engineer and am retiring soon. I´m giving you this background because if it weren´t for the teaching, guidance, advice, and friendliness of Dr. Stephas, this once introverted, shy, young man with low self-esteem never would have made it this far. I spent a total of 9 years in college and can say without hesitation Dr. Stephas was the best professor I ever had. I have many wonderful memories and stories of my time with him, his colleague, Dr. Schwarzkopf, and Dr. Hermanns, who was the head of the Chemistry Dept. at that time. Who would have ever thought you would find three highly intelligent, approachable, enthusiastic teachers in a little college in a small remote city in NE Oregon! I enjoyed his humor, his stories and get togethers at his house on 12th street and being in the Physics Club. Dr. Stephas made such a positive impact on the lives of so many young students during his time there. I consider myself so fortunate to be one of them. Eric French (now Eric Pierce-French), BS Physics, Class of ´82, residing in Dayton, OH.