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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 10, 2018)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2018 HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A11 NEWS Bob Jenson: May 11, 1931 - Jan. 6, 2018 Elder statesman leaves lasting mark Lawmaker won races as Democrat, Independent and Republican By KATHY ANEY STAFF WRITER The Dean of the House has died. Bob Jenson, who died Saturday at age 86, served 18 years and nine terms in the Oregon House of Rep- resentatives until he retired in 2015. The Pendleton leg- islator, who also covered half of Hermiston for much of his time in the House, started his fi rst term in 1997 and served so long his col- leagues dubbed him “the Dean of the House.” “He was unique in that he ran as a Democrat, as an Independent and as a Repub- lican,” said former state Sen. David Nelson. “He won every time.” Jenson’s wife, Eve- lyn, remembers her hus- band wrestling with the idea of changing his political affi liation. “He was a Democrat at heart, but he recognized that it wasn’t a good fi t with his district,” Evelyn said. “He tried to be an Independent, but that leaves you bereft of any infl uence.” He did, however, get a kick out of being “a caucus of one.” Neither of the par- ties completely fi t Bob, she said — fi scally, he was more conservative and socially, he leaned left. He seemed unfettered by party lines. Evelyn still hasn’t wrapped her head around the idea that her beloved husband of 46 years is gone. The normally clearheaded STAFF PHOTO BY E.J. HARRIS Rep. Bob Jensen sits on the Ways and Means committee Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, in the state capitol in Salem. STAFF PHOTO BY KATHY ANEY Former Rep. Bob Jenson stands in the House of Representive chambers in Salem shortly before retiring after nine terms in the Oregon House of Representatives. Evelyn says she’s feeling fuzzy and disoriented as she grapples with the loss. Their large close-knit fam- ily is unmoored. Even the dog, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever who spent recent weeks camped out at Bob’s bedside, wanders around the house looking confused and unsettled. “She’s been inconsol- able,” Evelyn said. Their family — four chil- dren, 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren — fl owed in and out of Jen- son’s Pendleton home on his last day. His death ended an on-and-off struggle with cancer that lasted fi ve years. His time in the Oregon Legislature came later in life. Jenson, who grew up on a Montana ranch and served in the U.S. Air Force, taught sociology and history for 26 years at Blue Mountain Community College. Bob and Evelyn met at a teachers’ training in Colo- rado and fell in love. Evelyn, who also taught at a com- munity college at the time, decided to change to social work when they got mar- ried, thinking it would be a bad idea to work together at the college. She laughs about that now. When Jenson fi rst arrived in Salem in 1997, Evelyn came along to manage his offi ce and serve as her husband’s fi rst line of communication for lobbyists and constitu- ents. The capitol was Bob’s natural habitat, she said, and he had all the right qualities to succeed. “He was bright and delib- erate and caring,” she said. “He tried very hard to be fair to all sides and he always tried to listen.” State Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, agrees with that. As a Umatilla County com- missioner, Hansell worked with Jenson for many years before joining him in the Legislature in 2013. He called Jenson a close per- sonal friend and a man of integrity. “First and foremost he voted for what he thought was best,” Hansell said, citing Jen- son’s support for local edu- cation, agriculture and other regional issues. “His heart was in Eastern Oregon.” A centrist who didn’t always toe the partisan line, sometimes his non-confor- mity got the lawmaker in hot water with his own party. In 2010, some predicted Jen- son’s political demise after he voted with Democrats to put two budget-balancing tax hikes on the ballot (Mea- sures 66 and 67). Ultimately, he kept his seat. He continued to pick his battles carefully, focusing on such issues as water, educa- tion, mental health and, near the end of his career, wolves. He got a reputation for being crusty and courageous. In 2009, Jenson got some press after he, the elder statesman, worked to fi nd a solution for water issues with Jefferson Smith, a young, green Demo- crat from Portland. They became “the Odd Couple,” a two-member subcommit- tee on water resources who put together a water bill that brought irrigation dollars to Jenson’s district. On Monday, com- ments fl owed from Salem and beyond about Jenson’s legacy. Gov. Kate Brown tweeted, “Bob Jenson was a dedicated public servant and beloved by many here in Oregon. He will be missed! Sending our thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.” Rep. Greg Barreto, who won the seat after Jenson’s retirement, offered con- dolences to Jenson’s fam- ily and thanks for helping during his fi rst term as a representative. “For years, Bob stood as a pillar of our district. He gave so much to our friends and neigh- bors over the years, and will be remembered fondly by many,” he wrote. House Republican Leader Mike McLane called him “a true illustration of what it means to be a servant leader.” Rep. Greg Walden wrote, “Bob Jenson served Eastern Oregon thoughtfully, effec- tively and with great civility. I valued his friendship and his counsel over the years as we worked together on fed- eral and state issues.” Pendleton Mayor John Turner, former president of Blue Mountain Commu- nity College, called Jenson a mentor and champion of community colleges who made sure community col- leges got their fair share of state funding. Jenson, a master card player, moved his role as strategist to the bridge table after retirement. He focused on his family, his annual Alaskan fi shing vacation and trips to the family cabin near Lostine. This year, he served as chairman of the local Gideons International chapter and president of the Peace Lutheran Church council. Just before he retired, Jenson did a little self-as- sessment about his time in Salem. “Like everyone who comes down here, I proba- bly had visions of grandeur,” he said. “I think I’ve made a little difference.” ____________ Daniel Wattenburger contributed to this story. BMCC nursing and dental students pass en masse HERMISTON HERALD The high fi ves are fl ow- ing at Blue Mountain Com- munity College. Each and every student in BMCC’s Class of 2017 Nursing and Dental Assist- ing programs passed his or her board examinations on the fi rst try, giving BMCC a 100 percent pass rate in both programs. All 19 nursing students who graduated in June from the program, passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a standardized exam that every state board of nursing uses to determine whether or not a nursing program grad- uate is prepared for nursing practice. Graduates must pass the NCLEX to earn a registered nurse license. All 19 graduates passed on the fi rst attempt. Only three of Oregon’s 16 com- munity college nursing pro- grams had a 100 percent pass rate for 2017. In addition, all nine BMCC dental assist- ing graduates passed their national board exams. In Oregon, dental assistants are not licensed, but must be certifi ed in order to take x-rays or to perform certain expanded functions. BMCC Dental Assist- ing graduates have the abil- ity to become certifi ed den- tal assistants through the Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) by taking three national examinations and one Oregon examina- tion. Employers prefer job candidates with a DANB certifi cation, so those who pass have an edge over other potential candidates. BMCC’s Nursing pro- gram is a member of the Ore- gon Consortium for Nursing Education, a shared curricu- lum with Oregon Health and Science University. BMCC students are co-enrolled with OHSU and offered the same classes at a much lower tuition rate. BMCC graduates can begin working as a nurse imme- diately, and if desired, may complete one additional year of study online to earn a bachelor of science in Nurs- ing from OHSU. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CASEY WHITE-ZOLLMAN Janet Lomas, a recent graduate of the dental assisting program at Blue Mountain Community College, is currently working for Dr. Ryan Wieseler at Desert Dental in Hermiston. EASTERN OREGON marketplace Place classified ads online at www.eastoregonmarketplace.com or call 1-800-962-2819 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, leave a voicemail and we’ll confirm your ad the next business day. Email us at classifieds@ east oregonian.com or fax: 541-278-2680 East Oregonian Deadline is 3 p.m. the day before publication 211 S.E. Byers Ave. 333 E. Main St. We accept: Pendleton, OR 97801 Hermiston, OR 97838 See www.eastoregonmarketplace.com for classified ads from all over Eastern Oregon EAST OREGONIAN • HERMISTON HERALD • BLUE MOUNTAIN EAGLE • WALLOWA COUNTY CHIEFTAIN 104 Special Notices 110 Announcements PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD ON THE FIRST DAY OF PUBLICATION. While we are happy to make any necessary corrections, we can not be responsible for errors appearing for mul- tiple days. Thank you! 184 Personals CLASSIFIED LINE AD DEADLINES East Oregonian 3pm the day prior to publication Hermiston Herald 10am Tuesday 1-800-962-2819 classifieds@eastoregonian.com Looking for a new place to live? The classified ads offer a complete section of homes, apartments, and mobile homes to fit your needs. Check daily for new listings! Contact Dayle or Grace at classifieds@eastoregonian.com 1-800-962-2819 to place your classified ad! 360 Garage Sales ESTATE SALE Full household 701 SW 8th Pendleton Thursday & Friday January 11 & 12 8am-5pm GET A JOB... check out the employment Classifieds today! 502 Real Estate 502 Real Estate 504 Homes for Sale 504 Homes for Sale Please drop by the office to see all the new listings and travel trips now available. There is something to suit everyone! 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