John Van Pahlke Jr.

PAHLKE, JOHN VAN JR. January 11, 1946-August 30, 2006. Born in Kellogg, Idaho, John grew up in Southeast Portland, attending St. Peters and Central Catholic High School. At Central, he was a multi-sport athlete, accepting a football scholarship to Boise State. It was there that he met his future wife, Mary McBroom. After a season at Boise, he transferred to the University of Oregon on a track scholarship (javelin). In 1966, while at Oregon, he enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve in Vietnam. A sergeant with Company B, 1st Battalion, Airborne, 12th Cavalry, awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Portland, wed Mary, and began a family. He finished his education at Portland State and joined the Portland Police Bureau in 1971. After 11 years on the force, an accident forced early retirement. He worked in real estate for a time before going back to school at the University of Portland to earn his bachelor's in nursing. He worked in the intensive care units at OHSU, Georgetown University, and Legacy Emanuel (among others). John's greatest joy, his greatest accomplishment is his family. He is survived by his best friend, the love of his life for the past 38 years, his wife, Mary; his two sons, John and Tom; his parents, John and Joyce; brothers, Don, Jim and Mike; sister, Kathy; and his three grandchildren, Emily, Mark and Sean. All carry the Pahlke name with a little more pride because of John. It is foolish and wrong to mourn the man who has died. Rather we should thank God that such a man ever lived. Love you Dad A service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, in Church of the Resurrection, 21060 S.W. Stafford Rd, Tualatin.

Published in The Oregonian on 9/7/2006.