Saturday, January 28, 2012

Former Chair of OTC Gail Achterman has Died

Former Salemite and advocate for non-motorized transportation Gail Achterman died today.

From the Oregonian:
Gail Achterman, a Portland lawyer and lifelong Oregonian whose record of public service spanned nearly 40 years in natural resources, environmental law and transportation policy, died Saturday of pancreatic cancer at age 62....

She had recently retired as director of the Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University and as chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission, having served for 10 years on the commission....

Achterman was born in Portland Aug. 1, 1949, grew up in Salem and attended Stanford University, where she received a degree in economics and was a three-sport athlete in basketball, track and swimming. She went on to obtain her law degree and master's in natural resource policy and management from the University of Michigan.
This is a real loss for all of Oregon and a sad weekend for the Oregon Department of Transportation and fans of non-motorized transportation. Heartfelt condolences to friends and family.

Achterman is not the only person with close ties to ODOT to pass away this weekend. David Apperson also worked for ODOT, and participated in the Bike Commute Challenge, but I have not been able to confirm this.

Sunday Morning updated. Revised Oregoninian obituary here. Achterman graduated from South Salem High School. Rembrance also at Bikeportland.

Image from BikePortland's note about her resignation from the OTC. Mia Birk left, Achterman on the right.

1 comment:

Salem Breakfast on Bikes said...

From ODOT's memorial page:

The service for Gail Achterman will be at First Presbyterian Church, 1200 SW Alder in Portland on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. A reception will follow at the Multnomah Athletic Club, 1849 SW Salmon St. in Portland.

And her Oregonian obituary.