Paul Stephas

Paul Stephas, August 31, 1929 - December 14, 2025

Paul helped start the physics degree program at what is now Eastern Oregon University, and taught physics there for nearly 20 years from 1969 to 1988. He formed deep attachments with faculty and the students he mentored, and published numerous research articles.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, to Gustas and Crisoula (Capidaglis) Stephas, Paul was the youngest of four children.

He served in the Air Force as a radioman during the Korean War, then majored in physics at the University of Washington. He earned an M.S. in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic while working for General Electric, then took a physics research position at GE Vallecitos Atomic Laboratory.

While working at Vallecitos, Paul met and married analytic chemist Georgia Morton. They enjoyed auto rallying and the jazz clubs of San Francisco.

Paul returned to academia in 1962 and earned his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Oregon. His first professorship was at the University of British Columbia. In 1969, he was recruited to what was then Eastern Oregon College in La Grande. He and Georgia took every opportunity to get into the Blue and Wallowa mountains; because of college schedules their daughter Tamara grew up thinking every family spent much of the summer backpacking and fishing for rainbow trout.

Paul and Georgia retired to McMinnville Oregon, then to Hilo, Hawaii, their home base for many travels. After Georgia's death, Paul moved to the greater Portland area and continued to hike and travel. His last years were spent in Bend, Oregon near his daughter and son-in-law. Paul loved the outdoors and was an avid photographer. He enjoyed jazz and classical music, travel, amateur philosophizing, and deeply appreciated the visual arts. We will miss his wit, love of laughter, and enthusiasm for craft beer.

Survivors include daughter Tamara Stephas and son-in-law Michael Jochimsen of Bend Oregon, as well as nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by wife Georgia of 46 years, his parents, his sister Helen Stephas, and two brothers Peter and Menelaus "Manny" Stephas.

No service; a celebration of life is planned in the spring.

Donations may be made to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, aaas.org; or Humanists of Greater Portland, portlandhumanists.org.

Arrangements handled by Bard Funeral Home, www.bairdfh.com.