Alexander Yusha, Jr.

Alex passed away peacefully on June 2, 2016, but not before his 94th birthday with three of his oldest and dearest friends, Bruce Richardson, Lucille Clark and Bob McCormick, the smile on his face said it all. He was at his finest, joking, laughing and remembering the good ol’ days and so grateful to see his cherished friends one more time. He was born on May 25, 1922, in Toyoko Japan, to Alexander S. Yusha Sr. and Lydia Karlouka Yusha of Vilna Russia. His parents and sister fled Russia during the Russian revolution and made their home in Toyko, Japan, where Alex was born. Before he could graduate high school World War II was beginning. His father being a Russian attaché found a sponsor in the United States making it possible for Alex and his family to make their way across the Pacific to the United States in 1941 where they made their home in Corvallis. In 1962 while riding his bicycle Alex came across the perfect bachelor abode, a little house on the Willamette River in the small town of Peoria where he lived for 50-plus years. He became a close friend to the owner, Mrs. Banes and her family. He attended the American School in Japan where he learned English, finished high school in Berkeley, California, then went on to get a bachelor’s at Willamette University and a master’s in science at OSU in 1958, studying bacteriology and hygiene. Alex was devoted to his work as a microbiologist and later as an OSU scientist co-authored “The In-Vitro Cultivation of Tissue and Cells of Pacific Salmon and Steelhead Trout.” He was an avid hiker, photographer and fisherman. He felt so free and at peace being in the great outdoors camping and hiking vast areas of wilderness in the Pacific NW. He was a confirmed bachelor, quote “Women are bossy and too much trouble.” Alex was brilliant, sweet, kind, strong willed and an inventive person. He spoke English, Russian and Japanese. His smile would light up a room his sense of humor was so refreshing. He will be sorely missed his smile and laughter will live in our hearts forever. Alex leaves behind his loving group of caregivers who managed his health and well-being for the last few years — neighbor Kathy Henley, John Knight, Tanya Luckman, Kelsea Ellison, Tammy Solyntjes and Kristin Campbell. Gone before Alex were his mother, Lydia Yusha; father Alexander Yusha; and sister Natlie Yusha. A celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at his home on the river, 29678 Main Street, Peoria.

Tributes

Alexander Yusha, Jr.

May 25, 1922 - June 2, 2016