Gary Howard Tiedeman

Gary suddenly passed away at home, due to complications of a long illness. He began his life in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Howard Tiedeman and Lucille Petty Tiedeman. Gary received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree from Stanford University, and earned his doctorate at the University of North Carolina. Beyond his formal education, Gary had a lifelong joy of learning. He joined the faculty of Oregon State University in 1970 and taught there until his retirement in 2007. In addition to teaching, Gary also served as president of the OSU Faculty Senate and director of the Honors Program, as well as other OSU and state associations. During his tenure he received the D. Curtis Mumford Faculty Service award and the Warren Howland Award. While studying at the University of Colorado, Gary met his best friend and the love of his life, Libby Bock; they were married in 1959. Together they raised a boy, a girl, and several golden retrievers and other four-footed family members. Gary had a passion for service to his community: before and during his retirement he volunteered for Dial-A-Bus, the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library and Benton Hospice Service, among others. Together with Libby and others from their church, Gary traveled to New Orleans and to Nicaragua to help with hurricane disaster relief. At the time of his death he was serving on the board of Oregon Public Employees Retirement System Retirees, Inc. Gary had a creative side, which he expressed through his love of music, participating in the First Presbyterian Church choir and Corvallis Repertory Singers, as well as acting in numerous local musicals and other community theater. He also enjoyed expressing himself through prose and poetry, where he often showcased his wonderful sense of humor. A loving family man, Gary is survived by his wife, Libby; his son, Gregg, and daughter-in-law, Sandra Tiedeman, of Littleton, Colo.; daughter, Kelly, and son-in-law, Dan Higgins, of Dayton, Ohio; four grandchildren; his sister, Pam Walcher; one niece; two nephews; two golden retrievers; a collie and a border collie. A celebration of Gary’s life will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 16, at First Presbyterian Church in Corvallis. In lieu of flowers, contributions to one of Gary’s favorite organizations would be appreciated: Defenders of Wildlife, the Jimmy Carter Foundation or the First Presbyterian Church Choir.

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Gary Howard Tiedeman

January 22, 1940 - March 3, 2014