Clifford Wayne Trow

Clifford W Trow July 27, 1929 – October 31, 2023 Clifford W. Trow died Tuesday morning, October 31 at the age of 94 at Willamette Springs Memory Care with his family at his side. He was born in July 1929, in Topeka, Kansas and grew up in Salina along with an older brother and sister and a younger sister. He graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University with an honors degree in history in 1951. He then began a 45-year teaching career when he became a high school social studies teacher in Kansas and later in Boulder, Colorado. While in Boulder he pursued graduate degrees in history at the University of Colorado, completing his Ph.D. in 1966. Through his contact with CU summer term professor from Oregon State University, George Barr Carson, Cliff was offered a professorial position at OSU and arrived in Corvallis in the fall of 1965 as a member of the history department. Whether teaching large western civ classes, small seminars or special courses on Latin America or American Thought and Culture, he was devoted to his teaching. He read widely and after retirement was often seen at local coffee shops with a book in his hand ready for a friendly conversation. But politics was also a special interest, and he became involved in Oregon Democratic politics as he had been in Colorado. Specifically, he worked on the campaigns of Wayne Morse, Oregon US Senator and became active in the local Democratic committee. Cliff ran for the Oregon Senate in 1970 losing to incumbent Dick Hoyt. Four years later he ran again, winning the seat that he would hold for 28 years until his retirement in 2003. And all this while continuing to teach in the OSU history department. Cliff was a dedicated supporter of education and served on the Senate Education Committee for eight sessions including five as chair. In 1979 he was recognized as “Education Senator of the Year” by the Oregon Education Association and similarly honored as “Senator of the Year” by the Oregon Library Association in both 1991 and 1993. He, along with a Republican colleague, was instrumental in passing legislation mandating kindergartens in public schools as well as other important education issues. He received the Howard Cherry Award as the 2001 Outstanding Community College Advocate. A member of additional committees, Cliff chaired the Senate Ways and Means in 1993 and subcommittees of Ways and Means from 1985-1991. He also chaired the Executive Appointment Committee for several sessions. Elected by his peers as President Pro Tempore of the Senate in 1981, Cliff also served as senate Democratic leader from 1995-1998. He was recognized for his legislative leadership with awards from a number of civic, social service and governmental organizations including the Distinguished Alumni Award from Kansas Wesleyan University, the Distinguished Service Award from Western Oregon University, the Mark O. Hatfield Award in recognition of unselfish devotion to the call of public service and a strong conviction toward enhancing the quality of life In Oregon; the Jerry Bieberle Award in recognition of legislative leadership and dedication to fighting poverty in Oregon and the Frank Roberts Service Award from the Oregon State Senate in recognition of dedicated service to the people of Oregon. And, in 2002, on the eve of his retirement from elected office, Cliff was honored by the city of Corvallis, which declared December 16 to be “Cliff Trow Day.” Statewide, Cliff also was a member and chair of the State Library Board, the Oregon Center for Public Policy, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, and The Partners for Hunger Free Oregon. In Corvallis and Benton County he was active in Democratic politics, Cliff chaired the local central committee for a number of years in the 1960’s and 1970’s, was a member of the Benton County Corvallis Library Board and the Benton County Cultural Coalition and was a longtime member of the Corvallis Lions Club. A strong love of education and teaching led him to be one of the founders of the Academy for Life-long Learning when he served on the council and curriculum committees for many years. In addition, he taught or facilitated 48 classes over the years. Shortly after arriving in Corvallis, Cliff met Jo Anne Johnson, a recent addition to the student affairs department at OSU and, in 1969 they were married. In 54 years of a wonderful and devoted marriage, they enjoyed music at OSU music performance and the Portland Opera; the OSU, Portland Center Stage and Oregon Shakespeare Festival theatres; Beaver athletics, especially women’s and men’s basketball, football, gymnastics; playing tennis, hiking in the mountains and at the beach; and especially, being great friends with a succession of Cardigan Welsh Corgis over the years. For over 20 years they started their day with a wonderful group of friends in the early morning exercise group at Fitness Over Fifty. And, over all, they supported each other, working on projects, running pollical campaigns, enjoying friendships with others, and celebrating all the ups and downs of life together. Most of all, Cliff Trow was a true gentleman, but, as friends noted, of greater importance, a gentle man, a man of principle and moral strength, a man of integrity , and a dedicated public servant; a friendly face and a good listener with a keen interest in you as a person; a devoted and supportive husband, an excellent teacher, a committed champion for social justice, a mentor to those who worked with him, a model of a committed public servant and a genuine, kind, intelligent human being, a man who left the world a better place. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on January 6, 2024, at the First Congregational Church, 4515 SW West Hills Road in Corvallis. Memorial contributions can be made to The OSU Foundation, 4238 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333-1068, memo line to Trow Teaching Excellence Award; Partners for Hunger Free Oregon, PO Box 14250 Portland, OR, 97293; Oregon Center for Public Policy, 6420 SW Macadam, Suite 200, Portland, OR, 97239 Please leave your condolence messages for the family below.

Clifford Wayne Trow

July 27, 1929 - October 31, 2023