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THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2021
Remembering
Thane Tienson
1946 – 2021
Pictured above: Jann Tienson, Erik Tienson (son), Julia Tienson (daughter), Todd Tienson (son-in-law), Gavin Tienson (grandson)
T
hane Tienson was a proud native of Astoria, an avid runner, and an unabashed
liberal fighting for environmental and human rights as an attorney who was still
a practicing lawyer with the firm Landye Bennett Blumstein. Thane’s family
moved away from Astoria to the Bay Area when he was a boy. He attended Santa Clara
University in California before serving in the Vietnam War, where he earned two Purple
Hearts for injuries sustained in battle. After serving in the military, he attended Lewis
& Clark College in Portland, becoming a lawyer in 1977. A devoted community servant,
Thane served on the boards of a multitude of civic organizations, including the Friends
of Astoria Column. He is survived by his brother, John; son, Erik; daughter, Julia; and
grandson, Gavin. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy; father, John; and
brothers, David and Donald.
“With the passing of Thane Tienson, Astoria has
lost a good friend. Thane had the ability to help
the entire spectrum of Oregonians. He helped
fishermen, lumbermen, The Astoria Scandinavian
Midsummer Festival, Native American tribes, his
beloved Astoria Column and many more. Thane was
a good friend, a good lawyer, a great man and an
excellent father. I will miss him.”
WILLIS VAN DUSEN, FORMER MAYOR OF ASTORIA
“Thane Tienson was as close as anyone in my
acquaintance to a ‘renaissance man.’ A decorated
Vietnam Veteran, global traveler, convivial
companion, a capable compassionate lawyer –
frequently on the side of the little guy. Thane was
an environmental steward, a champion of civic
engagement, sometimes a bit of a rascal and a dear
friend. His unexpected death is a tragedy.”
SENATOR BETSY JOHNSON
“Thane was a great listener, always curious, never
bored, and a life-long learner. The breadth of
knowledge Thane possessed across a seemingly
endless range of subjects was remarkable. His
advocacy and impact on many issues near and
dear to our community, including fisheries and
environmental stewardship, will live on. Thane will
be greatly missed by all those who knew him.”
WILL ISOM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
PORT OF ASTORIA
“Rarely seen, the balance of intellect, kindness and
intelligence were hallmarks of Thane Tienson, a
great friend to Astoria and so many others.”
KAREN WHITMAN, BOARD MEMBER,
FRIENDS OF THE ASTORIA COLUMN
“The City of Astoria lost a true friend and generous
native son with the recent loss of Thane Tienson.
An original founding member of the Friends of
the Astoria Column, Thane helped make lasting
contributions to the Column’s several restorations
and annual upkeep, and it was my great honor as
Mayor to reappoint Thane to the FOAC Board each
of the last two years. Coupled with his significant
contributions as an attorney supporting Indigenous
Peoples and our local commercial fishing
community, Thane Tienson’s positive impact on
Astoria will endure well beyond his lifespan. We are
deeply saddened by his passing.”
BRUCE JONES, MAYOR, CITY OF ASTORIA
“I met Thane in 1973 when we were in law school
together. In 1981, when mayor Edith Hennigsgard
asked me to help restore the Astoria Column, Thane
was one of the first calls I made. Since that time,
Thane not only has been an outstanding board
member for Friends of the Astoria Column as he
was for so many other civic organziations, but also
became one of my closest friends.
Rare in life is one able to meet someone who has
such integrity, honesty, and passion for helping
others, to make the world a better place! While his
life was tragically cut short, few live as full of a life as
he did. His memory will always be a beacon for me
and many others as to the difference an individual
can make to the communities we live in.”
JORDAN D. SCHNITZER,
PRESIDENT, FRIENDS OF
THE ASTORIA COLUMN