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.
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