In Memoriam

The magnificent plaster work of the Silva Concert Hall at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, by Benny Bartel Plastering Company (photo source: http://planetden.com/nature/crown-pacific-eugene-oregon-process)

The Willamette Valley Chapter CSI family received sad news recently on two fronts. 

 

Benny Bartel, one of the chapter’s earliest members, passed away peacefully last month. Benny saw and enjoyed much over his almost century-long time on this earth. We will forever remember him for his noteworthy contributions to many significant projects in the Eugene-Springfield area. He made his mark in life; his legacy will remain with us for many years. 

 

Morgan Deines leaves us at far too young an age, the tragic victim of a senseless crime. Morgan’s dad, Tom, FCSI, CCCA, is a Construction Specifications Institute stalwart: past Institute Vice-President, past Northwest Region Director, and perennial member of the Institute’s Technical Committee. We mourn along with Tom, Tom’s wife Trixie, Morgan’s mother Sirrka, and all of Morgan’s other family and friends. Words alone cannot adequately express our sorrow and condolences. 

 

Following are the previously published obituaries for Benny and Morgan, which paint a picture of their lives for those who may not have enjoyed the honor of knowing them: 

 

Lewis Benjamin (Benny) Bartel (1919-2016)

Lewis Benjamin (Benny) Bartel passed away peacefully on October 16, 2016 at the age of 97. Benny was born April 15, 1919 to Dora and Leslie Brickler. Benny and his sister, Betty, were adopted by Alvin Bartel of Creswell. Benny graduated from Creswell High School in 1938 and attended Oregon State University. He married the love of his life, Marjorie (Callaway), in February of 1941. 

 

Benny served his country in World War II as an Army Combat Sergeant (27th Infantry Division) in the Pacific Theater on Okinawa and as part of the occupational forces in Japan. After WWII he located to Portland, OR and became a journeyman plasterer. 

 

In 1948 he returned to Eugene and started Benny Bartel Plastering Company. The company was instrumental in the construction of several notable projects around Eugene and Springfield such as Prince Lucien Campbell and dormitories at the University of Oregon and Oregon State campuses, Ya-Po-Ah Terrace and the Hult Center. 

 

Benny was active in several industry organizations as well as being a member of the Elks, Jaycees, Masons and Shriners. 

 

Benny is survived by his wife of 75 years, Marjorie, two sons, Gary (Yvonne) of Eugene and David (Carol) of Longmont, CO., brother Royce (Beth) of Creswell, grandsons, Scott (Marietta), Trevor (Tabitha) and Kyle, great grandsons, Jackson and Brooks. He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Dunn, and grandson Donald Benjamin Bartel. 

 

Benny was interred with full military honors at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR. A memorial will be held in Benny’s honor at 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 1 at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 777 Coburg Road, Eugene (of which Benny was a founding member. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Shriners Hospital and the Eugene Mission. 

 

“Benny Bartel was one of WVC/CSI's earliest members, founder of Eugene's premier plastering company, recipient of the SWO/AIA Craftsmanship award, father of WVC/CSI past president, Gary Bartel, and perhaps the nicest person one ever met. He was a very special person!” — Paul Edlund 

 

Morgan Pahkala Deines (1993 - 2016)

Morgan Pahkala Deines was called home to her heavenly father in the early morning hours of November 11, 2016. Morgan was only 23 years old, tragically taken from her loved ones far too early. She died from a gunshot wound from an unknown assailant. The investigation is ongoing. 

 

Morgan's maternal grandparents, Ernst Olavi "Ollie" Pahkala and Anna Marjatta Pahkala (both deceased), emigrated from Finland in 1954. Her paternal grandparents, Robert Deines of Russian heritage and Elizabeth Deines, who emigrated from Germany in 1956 are also both deceased. Morgan embraced her European heritage, especially the Finnish language, Finnish culinary delights and holiday celebrations. Morgan's middle name, "Pahkala" carried on her Finnish lineage. Morgan means, "Edge of the Sea.” 

 

Morgan was born July 7, 1993, in Eugene, Oregon. Even at an early age, she had a special gift of wanting to help others, adopting pets, and especially fighting for the underdog. Later in her life, she would continue to take the road less traveled. A gifted artist, she also enjoyed playing soccer, many years of youth basketball and bicycling. 

 

Morgan loved the water and swimming, but she loved changes in climate even more which led her to enroll in Atmospheric Science at Oregon State University. Nothing would excite her more than a loud clap of thunder and lightning, the warning of an upcoming storm, or news of hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes. 

 

Prior to OSU, Morgan graduated from South Eugene International High School in 2011 where she volunteered at FOOD for Lane County. Later she joined her mother in Tacoma, Washington. She loved attending live concerts including indie artists, pop, and hip hop. Her favorite movie was Titanic. She loved cooking shows, flip flops, dipping sauces, pho, Café Yumm! and color books. 

 

She loved anything related to the ocean, especially beach combing at the Oregon Coast, bodysurfing the waves in Maui, watching sea turtles or simply meditating at the waterfront near Ruston Point in Tacoma. She and her dad once swam with the dolphins in San Diego and she met Keiko the Killer Whale, face-to-face, at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Morgan's last home overlooked the Foss Waterway of Commencement Bay.

 

As a child, she collected rocks and gems that included an actual meteorite and a rock from the Washington Monument. As a young girl, she collected American Girl Dolls and Beanie Babies with her mother. She vacationed in Hawaii, Mexico, and San Diego several times and went on three cruises. She visited the White House in April 2001 before the world changed on 9/11, walked the Mall in Washington DC, and visited several Smithsonian Museums and Arlington National Cemetery. She also visited Chicago's Natural History Museum to see Sue the T- Rex. 

She visited Disneyland, Disneyworld, SeaWorld, and the San Diego Zoo. She attended several PAC-12 football bowl games with her father as well as an NCAA Sweet 16 basketball championship. She was a girl scout, a dancer, and a volunteer. 

 

Her friends enjoyed her outgoing personality and generous, caring attitude. People would make note of her cheerful disposition, her long blonde curly hair, long natural eyelashes and beautiful smile, which could light up any room. To her parents' chagrin, Morgan enjoyed her many piercings and tattoos. Although Morgan attended OSU, she considered herself a Duck. She attended her first University of Oregon football game at the age of two and every year thereafter. Up until her death, she remained a diehard Duck fan. Most importantly, Morgan was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church and believed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

 

Her remains will be spread in the ocean that she so loved, where she will be able to continue to be a free spirit for eternity. 

 

She is survived by her father, Tom Deines and his wife, Trixie, of Cottage Grove, Oregon and her mother, Sirkka-Liisa Pahkala and her husband, Derrick Henderson, of Tacoma, Washington; aunts and uncles include Eira and Dennis Stevens (Morgan's Godparents) of Scappoose, Oregon; Anneli Burgess and Carl Long of Beaverton, Oregon; Paula and Paul May of Turlock, California; Jeanette and Richard Naylor of Union City, California; George and Vera Deines of Forest Grove, Oregon, and a multitude of cousins as well as her pets whom she loved dearly. 

 

A celebration of life ceremony will be held at Calvary Open Bible Church, 1116 Centennial Blvd, Springfield, OR, January 8, 2017 from 3 to 6 pm. All family and friends who knew and loved Morgan are invited to join us. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to FOOD for Lane County or Greenhill Humane Society, causes that she cared about passionately.