David Oscar Bersaas

David Oscar Bersaas passed away at home with his wife at his side, December 16, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born September 11, 1948 in Portland, Oregon to Oscar Olsen Bersaas (born in and immigrated from Molde, Norway) and Ana Lenea Johnson Bersaas (born in Preston, Washington). He was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife, best friend and soulmate of 29 years Patricia Rose Hills (from Belfast, Maine) and beloved dog Shadow, three sisters, Sharon L. Bersaas and husband Michael Johnson, Gloria J. Bersaas Nelson and husband Raymond Nelson, Karen A. Bersaas, one brother, Eric (Rick) O. Bersaas and wife Ann M. Bersaas, a dear family friend Fran Swanson-McBride and husband Tim McBride, seven nieces, Kirstin Nelson, Nicole Edens, Monique Albrecht, Ingrid Albrecht McNamara, Melanie Bersaas, Rachel Bersaas and Zoe McBride, two nephews, Brian Nelson and Sasha Stark and nine great nieces and nephews.

David attended Chapman Grade School and Lincoln High School in Portland. He graduated from Lincoln High in June 1966. He served in the U.S. Navy at Moffitt Field, San Francisco, California from May 1967 to August 1969. He attended Portland State University, Portland Community College and Mount Hood Community College.

David met his wife Pat in one of his yoga classes in 1987. They were married in heart for 22 years. They were officially married in Portland on November 30, 2009 and celebrated another ceremony officiated by his cousin Vidar Halaas from Norway at his sister’s home in Kent, Washington on August 27, 2011.

David was a very devoted and loving husband. He was a very spiritual person who honored and embraced many spiritual paths. He practiced yoga, meditation and martial arts most of his adult life. He was a dedicated, veteran Community Education instructor who taught at several health clubs and local colleges in Portland including Portland Community College where he taught for 44 years and for Tualatin Hills Recreation Department at the Elsie Stuhr Senior Center in Beaverton for 29 years. He trained the Guardian Angels of Portland and taught strength training for firefighters and defense tactics in the police officer training program. Over the years, he instructed his students in yoga, tantric yoga for human sexuality, body awareness, martial arts including Tai Chi and Chi Kung, self-defense and weight training. He developed his own martial arts system Ken Chi Wing Tai which incorporated elements from Karate, Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Ju Jitsu to provide a practical self-defense system for seniors. He also developed a cane class specifically for his senior students at the Elsie Stuhr Center to empower his students through the use of the cane for stability, mobility and self-defense.

David was an excellent marksman who enjoyed target practicing with his longtime friend, Gerald Cullison. He enjoyed working with wood and metal, and whatever project he was working on, he did with great detail and precision.

David lived his life beyond “conventional” limits and was one who thought “outside the box” and encouraged others to do the same. He displayed great inner strength through the most difficult of times. One of his greatest gifts to his students, and to those who knew him, was empowering them to discover their own potential. He encouraged others to seek balance in their lives.

His family (and dog), friends and students meant the world to him. David was a gentle soul who had a great love for man and animals alike. He loved to explore the outdoors from the ocean to the mountains to the desert, and he held great love and respect for nature and all its beauty.

His next journey has now begun.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held Saturday, March 31, 2018 from 1-4 pm at the Elsie Stuhr Center, 5550 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton OR 97005. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be directed in David O. Bersaas’ name to the Portland Community College (PCC) Foundation, PO Box 19000, Portland, OR 97280.