Dr. John William Combs

John was born in LaGrande, Oregon to parents Nephi and Leone (Baxter) Combs on April 11, 1933. He was brother to Nancy, Ruth, and Beth. He grew up in LaGrande and graduated from LaGrande High School. His father was a choir director at the local LDS church and his mother was the church organist and a piano teacher. From these connections he developed a deep love of music and familiarity with classical music. He played tuba in high school, and later, guitar. He spent summers working on his Aunt Frankie’s farm, and later at a brick yard. He got very good grades but was known for being a bit mischievous.

John served in the US Army during the Korean War as a Lieutenant from 1955 – 1959. Despite having participated in ROTC while in college at the University of Washington, he chose to have a regular commission in the Army Infantry. He was stationed in Nuremburg, Germany, where he put his undergraduate degree in German Language and Literature to good use. He interpreted at official state events and had the opportunity to visit historic sites not open to the public.

John attended and graduated from the University of Washington Medical School earning an M.D in 1964. He then completed a one year residency in pathology, a fellowship in pathology, and was awarded the Sheard Sanford award. He then earned a Ph.D. in experimental pathology, using an electron microscope (a new technology at the time) to study mast cells, also at the University of Washington.

John went on to serve as a much respected pathology professor and cancer researcher first at Pennsylvania State University Medical School in Hershey, Pennsylvania, then at the University of Maryland Medical School. His career highlights included developing an automated color-sensitive microscope, working under a Department of the Army contract to develop an automated microscope system for species differentiation of malarial parasites, and a study of tracheal and esophageal epithelium. He later worked under a grant from NASA to develop a completely automated clinical laboratory system to fit within a volume of three cubic feet, and an automated specimen collection system. He was a member of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers and the American Institute for Cell Biology.

He exchanged wedding vows with Rose Christopherson in a cornfield at sunset in Stone Valley, Pennsylvania in 1974. They met in Hershey Medical School in Pennsylvania where John was working as a professor of pathology and Rose was an interim humanities instructor. John took one look at Rose and it was love at first sight. Throughout their 40 year marriage they remained best friends, steadfastly in love.

John had many pursuits and interests throughout his life. He pursued oceanic diving off Puget Sound, WA using home-fashioned diving equipment. He and Rose built a dome house in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and hiking. He wrote extensively, including poetry, and a novel about pre-Colonial Meso-America. He played the steel guitar and he helped found the Seattle Folklore Society. More than anything, he enjoyed seeking and sharing knowledge.

John practiced Isshin Ryu Karate for 17 years, earning a 6th degree Black Belt and serving as a mentor to others in his dojo. He is remembered by his Sensei for being a great warrior and for having an indomitable spirit – “Nana Korobi, Ya Oki” (seven times down, eight times up.)

He and Rose moved to Portland in 1996. In his later years John continued writing and woodworking, completed numerous construction projects on their home and played his guitar. He enjoyed being able to more easily visit his daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, mother and many friends in Washington, Oregon and Utah.

John is predeceased by his parents Nephi and Leone; and a daughter, Victoria Combs-Harlan.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rose; daughters Ann, Janine, and Heidi Combs (Barrett); sisters, Nancy Combs, Ruth Edvalson (Wayne), and Beth Dorney; granddaughters, Mary Seaquist (Spencer), Annie Harlan (Tang), and April Salsburg; grandson, Brian Salsburg; great-grandchildren, Holly, Jeffrey, Luke, Thomas, and Taysom Seaquist, and Khai Tang; and many, many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A funeral service will be held in Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th, Ave., Portland, OR, on Wednesday, September 17th, at 2pm. Visitation will be held at Augustana one hour prior. A graveside service will be held in Cove Cemetery in Cove, Oregon on Tuesday, September 23rd, at 2pm.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to Oregon Food Bank - http://www.oregonfoodbank.org, Oregon Health and Science University – http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/foundation, or the Augustana Church - http://www.augustana.org/giving.html.

Ohsu remembrances:For gifts by mail - OHSU Foundation, 1121 SW Salmon St, Ste 100, Portland OR 97205 with reference to the John W. Combs and support for the Knight Challenge Fund. Online gifts can be made on the onedown.org website and there is an option to make the donation a memorial gift.

Please visit John’s internet memorial and online guestbook at www.skylinememorialgardens.com.

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