Dr. Alan Ray Raedels

Alan Ray Raedels was born in Newton, Jasper County, Iowa, to parents William Ray Jr. and Sara Joann (English) Raedels on October 11, 1947. Alan was older brother to Christine, two years his junior. When Alan was a junior high school student, Alan’s family left the very small town of Newton and relocated to Lake Oswego, Oregon. Alan attended Lake Oswego Junior High and he graduated from Lake Oswego High School, class of 1965.

Following high school, Alan continued his educational path at Colorado State University where he majored in mechanical engineering, ultimately receiving a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree. During his time at Colorado State, Alan very much enjoyed participating in the fencing program. Following his time at Colorado State, Alan returned to Portland, Oregon to pursue a Master of Business degree. He attended Portland State University and earned his degree in 1973. It was during this period that Alan met Debbie Estes. Alan was part of a bowling league and one of his team members was a friend of Debbie. The two were introduced to one another at Columbia Bowl, a bowling alley in North Portland.

Debbie and Alan exchanged wedding vows at First Baptist Church of St. Johns, Oregon on April 22nd, 1972. Alan went to work for Crown Zellerbach as a mechanical engineer. Alan and Debbie were blessed with their first child, daughter Sara, on April 1973. Shortly after Sara was born, the new family relocated to West Lafayette, Indiana where Alan continued on his educational path as a doctoral student at Purdue University. Alan received his Doctorate degree of Operations Management from Purdue in 1977. Alan and Debbie were blessed with a second child, daughter, Alicia, born on April 13th of that year.

Not long after Alicia’s birth, the young family relocated yet again; this time to London, Ontario, Canada. In London, Alan served as a Professor of Operations Management at the University of Western Ontario. In 1980, two months after the Mt. St. Helens eruption, the family came back to Oregon and to a home in Beaverton. Alan went to work at Portland State University and served for 34 years as a Professor. At PSU, Alan helped create the Supply and Logistics Program for the school. He served as a department head for many years and was an educator in the field of operations and supply management for 20 years. Alan authored two books on Supply and Logistics Management. His research interests included purchasing performance measurement, supplier evaluation, purchasing and the internet, and applications of the NAPM Report on Business. Alan served on the National Association of Purchasing Management Board of Directors and he was a proud recipient of the Shipman award. Dr. Alan Raedels, professor emeritus, will be remembered and celebrated by Portland State University as successful and influential educator and leader.

Alan was an involved devoted member of Village Baptist Church of Beaverton. At Village Baptist, Alan served as a choir member, deacon, and Sunday school teacher. Alan’s favorite hobbies and interests included bowling, woodworking, computer programming, and playing with his grandson, Derek. When his daughter Alicia was in grade school, Alan served as a coach for her soccer team.

Alan will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, and good nature. He was a wonderful provider for his family and was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend and he will be missed dearly by those who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Debbie; daughters, Sara Raedels of St. Helens, Oregon, and Alicia Newman (hus. David) of Queens, New York; sister, Christine Bragonier (hus. Ken) of Vancouver, Washington; grandson, Derek Newman; brothers-in-law, Bruce Estes and Randy Estes; sisters-in-law, Nancy Smith and Linda Goodell; father-in-law, Edwin Estes; and aunt Annie Lou Bishop of Buhl, Idaho.

A memorial service will be held at Village Baptist Church, 330 SW Murray Blvd, Beaverton, Oregon, on Wednesday, May 27th, 2015, at 3pm.

Alan will be privately laid to rest in Skyline Memorial Gardens of Portland, Oregon in the Garden of Everlasting Life.

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

Remembrances in Alan’s honor may be made to Parkinson’s resources of Oregon (PRO) www.parkinsonsresources.org