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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2013)
September 2013 EDITORIAL The Southwest Portland Post • 7 City-wide freelance reporter Lee Perlman dead at the age of 64 OBITUARY Editor’s Note: Lee Perlman, who worked as a freelance reporter for The Post for the past 15 years, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Northeast Portland on August 8, 2013. He was 64. At the time of his death he was also contributing stories and photos to the Hol- lywood Star, Southeast Examiner, Mid- County Memo, and Portland Observer. Yes, somehow he managed to keep them all straight. Three weeks before he died he had sub- mitted several stories for the August 2013 edition of The Post, and copy-edited the paper two weeks before his death. Other than the usual stress of balancing deadlines for several newspapers, I had no inkling that he was suffering from any kind of depression. A self-deprecating letter of resignation he sent out to all the newspapers the week he died may offer some insight. “I can no longer stand to see the mistakes, pedestrian writing and shallow reporting on important topics in your publications, and know that I am responsible for it,” wrote Perlman. “…Too often I have treated people, in- cluding friends, shabbily in the holy cause of submitting a story and meeting a deadline.” Yet, like the character of George Bailey in Frank Capra’s classic film, “It’s A Won- derful Life,” Lee Perlman never seemed to appreciate his own unique contributions and popularity. He was a fine political reporter and copy editor, humble and generous to a fault. Not only was he always on time, he was often an hour early. Hundreds of people knew Lee or had contact with him, and for many years he had readers in the tens of thousands. He seemed to know lots of people in nearly every neighborhood in the city. I was lucky enough to count myself among those who cared about him and will miss him very much, both personally and professionally. RIP, Lee.—Don Snedecor Lee Perlman was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 27, 1949. His parents, Samuel and Lucille Perlman, were both involved in the Civil Rights movement and other social justice causes of the time. He graduated from Erasmus Hall High School and attended Boston University, where he majored in jour- nalism. After graduating in 1970, Lee returned to New York City where he worked for a left-wing newspaper called the National Guardian. In 1972, Lee left New York; after driving slowly across the country, he landed in Portland, Oregon, where he remained for the rest of his life. Lee loved Portland and, as a journal- ist, was very concerned with many issues that directly affected its citizens. Whether attending a street fair or bringing to light stories of the home- less, the hungry and the marginally employed, Lee retained that sense of social justice that defined the environ- ment he was raised in. While he wrestled with the complex- ity of urban renewal, mayoral recalls and budget cuts, Lee delighted in bringing his readers stories of hope and beauty, such as his series on community gardens and the fine work of the Sisters of the Road. Lee had a terrific memory and de- lighted in quoting verbatim from books he had read throughout his life. He could also sing the lyrics from any song he had ever heard, even the obscure vaudeville tunes that his father enjoyed. Until sidelined by an injury, Lee ran many half-marathons. In typical Lee fashion, he ran them while wearing jeans and work boots. Although he stayed in regu- lar touch with his family in New York, he only re- turned to New York at Christmas time. He would un- pack his bag, pulling out silk- screened scarves, pottery and small sculptures made by Portland art- ists. He would also bring a num- ber of his articles Lee Perlman (photo courtesy of Bill and Patricia Perlman) and columns that he thought would be of interest to the family. Lee Emanuel Hospital. This was the site would delight his elderly mother by of many a meeting in Lee›s neighbor- reading to her for hours at a time. hood (Eliot). Lee is survived by his mother, Lucille; Legacy Emanuel is on N Vancou- brother, Bill; sister-in-law, Patricia; ver Ave. between Russell St. and nieces Deirdre and Michelle; nephew, the east end of the Fremont Bridge. Philippe; many loving cousins; and his The Lorenzen Center is off Graham dear friend Anne McLaughlin. St. between the hospital and the Medical Lee had always requested that in the Office Building. There is parking in the event of his death, his friends and loved lot on N. Graham St. / Gantenbein Ave ones reread the last lines in his favorite just across from the MOB. novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge: “I ask This will be a very simple remem- that no one grieves on account of me, brance event -- others are encouraged to and that I not be buried in consecrated have more celebrations of Lee Perlman ground. And that no sexton be asked all across this town he was such a part to toll the bell, and no mourners walk of. Please go to www.facebook.com/ at my funeral.” LeePerlmanMemorial for updates or Those who knew and loved Lee to post remembrances and reflections. should not be surprised by his wishes. In lieu of flowers, please make dona- He was a quiet, private and thoughtful tions to The Sisters of the Road, 133 NW man who will be dearly missed. 6th Ave., Portland, Oregon. The community is invited to attend a Bill and Patricia Perlman provided remembrance/memorial event for Lee information for this obituary. Christine Perlman on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 4pm, Charneski corresponded with us about the Lorenzen Conference Center at Legacy memorial gathering and Facebook page. PoSt a to Z BuSineSS CaRd diReCtoRy 503-244-6933 The IDEA Today … The SIGN Tomorrow! •SIGNS •BANNERS •GRAPHICS •MAGNETICS •LETTERING •LOGOS&MORE 503.244.0980 9220 SW Barbur Blvd. #111 - Portland - OR - 97219 Transformation Massage Neuromuscular Therapy ∞ Trigger Point Therapy Reiki Master ∞ Pain & Stress Relief Est. 1996 Hours: 9:30am - 6:30pm Tuesday and Thursday 9663 SW Barbur Blvd., Port., OR. 97219 ∞ 503.739.1108 www.transformation8massage.com Rebecca Hart MFA, LMT OR #6353 ∞ WA #MA8962 W ESTSIDE P SYCHOLOGICAL S ERVICES ADHD Assessment • PsycHotHerAPy • consultAtion AnDrew e. Bliesner, Psy.D. 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