Gale Drysdale

Gale Drysdale used to say that he spent the first 40 years of his life learning as much as he could and the next 40 years helping as many people as he could. Gale passed away recently at age 92 and he is still helping people, especially the OPB community, through a generous bequest that he and his wife, Pearl, established to benefit their church and OPB.

Gale grew up in Minnesota during the Great Depression working on the family farm, which they lost during that time. After graduating high school, he worked long hours at the local creamery and met the love is his life, Pearl Maruhn. They married in 1939 after a brief courtship. Gale enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII serving in five campaigns in the South Pacific. He returned home to Pearl and his family a decorated war veteran, receiving many medals including the Purple Heart after being wounded during his fifth campaign.

After the war, Gale resumed his career and bought a creamery in Minnesota. In 1955, Gale sold his business and, along with Pearl and their five children, moved to Portland, Oregon, where he took a job with Allstate Insurance. What began as a temporary job turned into Gale's calling. He worked at Allstate for 48 years, serving hundreds of clients that stayed with him throughout his long career until his retirement in 2003.

"He was very proud of his customers, and how loyal they were to him," Gale's daughter Debbie Stearns said. "Some stayed with him their entire lives, and their children became his clients as well. He was very gregarious and out-going, and seemed to know everyone. When we were kids we couldn't go anywhere without him running into someone he knew."

Gale was also passionate about OPB. He shared his love of music and other educational programs on OPB with his family and friends. He was a big fan of Wall Street Week with Louis Rukeyser, investment and music programs.

"He loved the patriotic music programs on OPB and he would call to tell me about a violinist or orchestra," Stearns said. "In fact, he often called all of us to tell us about a special OPB programs that he was interested in or thought that we would enjoy."

Gale and Pearl were often spotted at their local church, where he saw all of his daughters married over the years. Gale enjoyed playing chess with his grandkids, collecting coins, going to car shows, and gardening with his wife.

"Their yard was the envy of many neighbors, it was always blooming with rhododendrons and azaleas in the spring, and beautiful annuals in the summer," Stearns said. " He was very proud of his home, and the improvements that he made to it, but he was especially proud of his family, his kids and grandkids."

Remembered as an honored veteran, committed employee, involved community member and loving dad, Gale's impact continues to help provide quality engaging and educational programs to thousands of people.