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This morning we learned that trustee emeritus Warne Nunn has passed away at age 86. Warne may well have been Meyer Memorial Trust's best ambassador. He tirelessly traveled across the region, visiting grantees and prospective grantees. He always had a word of encouragement for nonprofit organizations and advocated for their needs passionately in meetings with MMT's board of trustees. Warne had a special love for Oregon history, public libraries and programs that supported underserved children and families. He never forgot his own childhood growing up on a farm in rural Oregon, and he never passed on an opportunity to speak for the needs of rural Oregon.
Before coming to the Trust, Warne worked for Governor and Senator Mark Hatfield in several capacities, and was Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs of the corporation now known as PacifiCorp. He also served on a number of corporate and community boards outside the Trust. All his service reflected his lifelong commitment to improving the lives of Oregonians.
Warne served as trustee from the time MMT began operating in 1982 until his declining health caused him to resign at the end of 2006. He was preceded in death by three other longtime trustees: Pauline Lawrence, Oran "OB" Robertson, and Travis Cross.
Warne was a wonderfully warm and cheerful presence in our office. We will miss him more than we can say. Our thoughts are with his family, especially his wife Delores, who supported him in his role at the Trust for many years.
A memorial service is planned for Thursday, June 28, at 3:00 pm at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lake Oswego (2000 Country Club Road, Lake Oswego, 97034).
Add one to the mystery, take one from the fold. There is no greater reward in this life or the next than a smile from a child. Rest gently Mr. Warne.
About 10 years ago, Warne was visiting the Child Development Center at Chemeketa Community College in Salem. We were standing around waiting for a tour of the building. Suddenly, one of the little toddlers ran up and jumped into his arms. It was a greeting that was completely unexpected, but Warne handled it in a grandfatherly way. He hugged her briefly, and a big smile covered his face. I think that hug turned the tide. The Meyer trustees later approved a $75,000 grant to expand the center, so kids like that little girl could help Chemeketa's students learn how to be better educators.
Oregon has lost another great Oregonian. I was lucky to get to know Warne through community service many years ago and have kept track of him in recent years as he worshipped at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lake Oswego with his wife Delores. I saw him just two weeks ago at an early morning service.
Warne represents a generation of leaders like Travis Cross and Senator Mark Hatfield who had a good idea of what it meant to be an Oregonian and what responsibilities that carried with it. They were Ambassadors for Oregon not because someone told them to do it, but because it was simply the right thing to do.
As I write this, I am in Boston taking my eldest daughter Hillary to an early orientation at Bentley College. I am reflective as I think about Warne and his service to the Trust and to Oregon, what can I do today and tomorrow to help make it easier on that next generation of Oregon leaders like Warne that gave selflessly to benefit our state. The world we live in today is much different for a 20 something to come in to, but the important of taking time to have that conversation with someone who is younger than us, taking time to give advice on how to get something done or just simply making a connection that begs to be made.
Thanks to you Marie and MMT for letting me know through this blog. It is a great communication tool as you blaze a trail into this New World we live in. Don
I will miss Warne. He loved his family, Oregon and our collective heritage. He was always proud of the star trees on Willamette University's campus which he planted many years ago. I will visit there this week and thank him again for his service and advocacy.
I will also miss Warne. About ten years ago, he spent time in West Washington County meeting and talking with families and he strongly supported the family literacy work we do here through the Even Start Family Literacy grant and the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters Program.
A few more messages that came to my inbox:
Please convey my deepest condolences, and those of EMO Board and staff, to all of you at the Trust, and to Warne’s family and friends.
I first met Warne Nunn when I was a young development director with Hospice House (now Hopewell House) in 1988. He was an invaluable friend to the organization and the staff, not only as a grant maker but as an advisor and friend. I’ll always remember his kindness and wonderful advice and support.
Carla Starrett-Bigg
Thank you for letting me know. prayers for him, his loved ones including all who have worked with him.
Cathie Boerboom
I'm deeply saddened by this news. Warne was an incredible person and will be missed.
Thanks for sharing this with us,
Jennifer G. Watkins
Director of Community Development
Baker City
It is with deep sorrow that I learn of Warne's passing. He was a good friend to my family. Thanks for the update and keep up the good work.
Bruce Kerr
Housing Director
oHas
It was my great honor to work for him in my capacity as ED for Lewis & Clark. I’ve forwarded to several of my ex board members and would very much appreciate specifics on whatever service is held.
Barbara Allen, Executive Director
Oregon 150
It was very much an honor to know Warne over the years. When I was involved in the Grantmakers of Oregon he was one who always attended from the beginning and participated making each event that much more informative and educational. His work with Meyer and his personal commitment to our community was second to none, he will be missed.
I am saddened to hear this news. Warne was always a friend and advocate for projects that celebrated Oregon's history, particularly if they helped share those stories with new and young Oregonians. He was always cheerful and generous with his time. Truly a role model for what being an Oregonian entails.
During Mr. Nunn's visits to Baker City, it was clear that he was a tremendous ambassador for the Meyer Memorial Trust and the entire state of Oregon.
He held a special place in his heart for Oregon's rural communites--both their challenges and their aspirations.
He remains a tremendous inspiration to all of us that pursue public service.
Beverly talks about the memories "just tumbling out". So much laughter, so many tears and so many memories forever. As the good Governor/Senator observed, it was always comforting to have both a Nunn and a Cross around. Peace be with you,
Cross family---Beverly, (Travis & Jenni), Paul, Sara, Craig
I was saddened by the news that Warren Nunn has left us. Over the many years of working with Meyer Memorial Trust on low income community projects, Warren was one our champions. He was a tireless advocate for children and families in Oregon. I will also miss our discussion on Military History of the 1800's as well as his wry sense of humor. Warren was a Man's Man
Warne made so many contributions to Oregon in so many ways. Just his positive,and cheerful approach to problems to be solved gave one the confidence to see any issue through. I asked Warne to help me form a foundation for the Oregon Zoo. He teamed with Don Frisbee to design the purpose goals and objectives for the Foundation and those principles hold today. be fore that time I worked with Warne in conjunction with Marylhurst college and ALP..he simply was the best