Orville Anton Iverson

ORVILLE A. IVERSON April 4, 1933 ~ March 26, 2012 "He was the strength and anchor of our entire family and leaves an irreplaceable void." Orv Iverson, 78, succumbed to viral pneumonia on March 26 following several years' dignified battle with leukemia and cancer. He was preceded in death by parents, Hallie and Elma (Iverson) Glover; and brother Donald Iverson. Orv is survived by wife, Gail; son, Chuck (Ann); son, Lance; grandchildren, Chris, Kelly, Kyle and Nic; sister, Lois Mullins; and three nieces. Known as "Sonny" in his youth he played football at Vancouver High School and was a noteworthy boxer in Golden Gloves. While in school he met his future wife enjoying the ensuing 61 years together, celebrating 56 years of marriage. While buying a home, raising a young family, serving in the Army National Guard, and working a full time job, he added another task at age 27 and returned to school. He entered Clark College in 1960 with a full curriculum, continuing later at Portland State where he graduated with a degree in Speech Communication. From that point he climbed to outstanding heights in his chosen field. Returning to Clark College, this time as faculty, he taught speech communication classes for 32 years reaching in excess of 15, 000 students. As Head of the Speech Forensics department for 20 years he achieved a proud reputation for the college with debate teams winning Washington State championship titles 22 times; Northwest Regional championships 15 times; and the Speech Forensic Association Region 1 championship gold medal sweepstakes award three times. He took his teams to national competitions yearly winning awards in Texas, Illinois, Georgia, California, Minnesota, Missouri and others. Clark's trophy cases are filled attesting to the teams' accomplishments. He served as Faculty President at Clark; and was selected by his peers as President of the National Association of Community College Instructors; and retired in 1998, being granted Emeritus Professor in 1999. He was selected by the Clark College Foundation as "Outstanding Alumnus of 2009". Orv also received personal trophies for his achievements which crowd the study in his home, and was recognized by numerous state and local politicians for his distinguished service. After retirement, he was an invited lecturer at other college forensic programs; assisted in reestablishing the University of Portland forensic program and served there as volunteer coach for one year; for five years as volunteer coach at Clackamas College forensics; and as Judge at numerous national competitions throughout the country. He is a co-published author with close peer, Mr. Kelly Brennan. Aside from his illustrious career, he was a humble man with a quick wit, collected important Indian artifacts from his Blackfoot heritage, owned a sailboat dealership with his brother and sister, loved sports, reading, sailing, music, travel, and his vintage Mustang as an original member of the car club "Slo Poks". Orv's primary love was his family to whom he devoted his abiding attention and support and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. A public celebration of his life will be held at the Fairway Village Clubhouse on April 15 from 11:00-2:00 p.m. at which all are invited. A private burial was performed on March 30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Leukemia or Cancer organizations in his honor.

Orville Anton Iverson

April 4, 1933 - March 26, 2012