CLASS ACTION
graduated from Willamette University College of Law in 1953 and moved to The Dalles to work with his brother-in-law, who was then district attorney. He practiced law there for more than six decades, continuing to practice up until a few months before his death. He is survived by his wife, Delores, three brothers and sisters, five children, six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. ’55 Judge Richard D. “Dick” Barber, 88, passed away on Dec. 5, 2016, just six months after the death of his wife, Sallie Sue. He grew up in Salem, Oregon, and served two years in the U.S. Navy. After completing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Oregon in 1952, he received his law degree from Willamette in 1955. After working at Salem Title Company and then practicing law privately for 15 years, he was appointed to the bench in 1974. He served as a circuit court judge in Marion County until his retirement in 2003. He held the distinction of being the only circuit judge to preside in every county in Oregon. He also performed more than 5,000 weddings during his career. He is survived by his five children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. ’58 Robert E. “Bob” Thompson, 88, passed away on Jan. 2, 2017, in Reno, Nevada. He lived most of his life in Oregon, graduating with a degree in forestry from Oregon State University in 1950 and with a law degree from Willamette University College of Law in 1958. He practiced law in Beaverton for 40 years and was named the city’s “First Citizen” in 1968. Bob loved Oregon and the outdoors and enjoyed camping with his family in the Cascades. He also volunteered time with the Oregon State Bar, Portland Community College and AARP. He is survived by six children, three stepchildren, 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
’78 Judge Christy Cufley, 63, passed away on Nov. 11, 2016, after fighting a courageous battle with breast cancer. She grew up in Seattle, graduated from Willamette Law in 1978, and spent her professional and volunteer career in public service. She worked as an administrative law judge for the state of Washington, served as a judge pro tempore for almost 10 years and upon early retirement represented unemployment appeal claimants. Throughout her career, her primary goal was to ensure the claimants and defendants not only had a fair hearing, but felt that it had been fair. She is survived by her three children, Travis Jo, Colin and Kimberly, as well as her granddaughters, Harper and Mabel, and steadfast companion and love of eight years, Ron Buxton.
Centrella receives WUPILP’s Raising the Bar award
’87 Carol Barker, 61, passed away on March 21, 2017, due to complications from a severe spinal cord injury suffered more than 40 years ago. Carol grew up in Walla Walla, Washington, and was the eldest of five children. As a result of a sledding accident in 1975, Carol used a wheelchair. Undaunted, she graduated from Whitman College in 1981 and taught middle school for several years. After moving to Salem, she earned her JD from Willamette Law in 1987. She worked for the Oregon Court of Appeals and then opened a private practice focusing on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Carol was very active with her church, Salem Alliance, leading Bible studies for more than 25 years and authoring nearly 40 Bible study guides. She is survived by her parents, siblings and many nieces, nephews and other extended family, as well as her many caregivers. ’11 Krystl (Mitchell) Murphy, 32, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 28, 2017, due to a cyst erupting on her brain. At the time of her death, she was working as an assistant attorney general in Washington. She is survived by her husband of nearly three years, Mark Murphy, and many family and friends.
At the 25th annual Bid for Justice Auction in March, the Willamette University Public Interest Law Project (WUPILP) presented its Raising the Bar award to Jeremiah Centrella JD’07. The award recognizes Willamette Law alumni who are dedicated to public interest law. Centrella began working for Mercy Corps, an international aid agency, in 2010 and was named general counsel in July 2016. Alicia LeDuc JD’17 helped nominate Centrella for the award after working for him at Mercy Corps as a WUPILP fellow in 2015. “I have great admiration for the work he does and his dedication to the organization’s mission and impact,” LeDuc says. “I don’t think a person could do what Jeremiah does — nearly nonstop, on a local and international scale — if they didn’t have their heart, as well as their mind, in the work. He’s clearly committed.” As general counsel, Centrella is Mercy Corps’ chief legal officer, head of its legal department and part of its global executive leadership team. He advises on issues ranging from complex social venture investments to compliance with U.S. counterterrorism laws for operations in places like Syria and Somalia. In addition, he serves on the boards for several groups, including InsideNGO, the trade organization representing the operational side of over 300 international non-governmental organizations. In a letter nominating Centrella, Barnes H. Ellis, senior legal counsel for Mercy Corps, said Centrella “is widely respected within the agency and within the broader NGO community. He is clearly someone of whom Willamette should be immensely proud.” Centrella says he was thankful to be chosen for the award. “WUPILP’s ethos of tireless support for others is inspiring. So are the students it supports,” Centrella says. “Mercy Corps shares this ethos. I am grateful to be selected for the Raising the Bar award, but I can’t wait to see what good in the world the students engaged in WUPILP can accomplish.” Photo courtesy Igor Shapiro
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