Berlan Lemon

Berlan “Butch” Lemon was born in Corvallis, Oregon on March 21st, 1920. His parents, E.B. and Lora Lemon, made up the name Berlan because they wanted their son to have a name that no one else had. Berlan went to Corvallis Public Schools, graduating from Corvallis High School in 1937. He earned a B.S. in Science Education from Oregon State College in 1941. While at OSC, he served as editor of the student newspaper, the Barometer, and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He attended the University of Oregon from June to December 1941, and 1946 to 1947, earning an M.S. in Psychology. He continued his graduate studies in Psychology at the University of Washington from 1947 to 1950. Berlan entered the U.S. Army in January 1942. He served in the US, England, France, Philippine Islands, and the army of occupation in Japan. He completed his service in April 1946 as a first lieutenant in the Transportation Corps. Berlan married Dorette Rothschild on April 18th, 1946. They were happily married for sixty-two years, and had three daughters, Laura, Patricia and Louise. From 1950 to 1959, Berlan was the Director of a State of Oregon program for rehabilitation of alcoholics and public education on alcohol problems. In 1959 he became a member of the faculty of the School of Education at Oregon State University. He was the head adviser of the School of Education for twenty years, and also served as chairman of the Student Loan Committee. After retiring from OSU in 1981, he read and recorded textbooks for OSU students with reading disabilities and volunteered at the Benton County Historical Museum. He wrote an autobiography and a history book entitled “Two Colleges: The Story of College of Philomath”. He traveled in North America, Europe, and islands of the South Pacific. He enjoyed reading, swimming, listening to symphonic music, playing card games and dancing with Dorrie. He was a loyal Oregon State Beaver fan, and attended the OSU vs UTEP basketball game just three nights before his death. Berlan is lovingly remembered by his wife Dorette, daughters Louise Runkle and Patricia Starker, eight grandchildren Geoffrey Vogel, Robert Vogel, Wendy Starker, Sally Starker, Andy Lasselle, Grant Lasselle, Erin Runkle, Colin Runkle, and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laura Vogel. A memorial service will be held April 16 at 3pm in the Engineering Auditorium of the LaSells Stewart Center at the corner of Western Boulevard and SW 26th Street, Corvallis. Donations in his memory can be made to the OSU Foundation, 850 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR, 97333, or a charity of your choice. ________________________________________

Tributes

Berlan Lemon

March 21, 1920 - April 3, 2009