2012 Inductees

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Pat Choat Pierce - Teacher/Counselor 1953-1991

Patricia Choat Pierce finished twelve student years inNorth Bendby graduating in 1949 as the “Outstanding Girl”. She edited the Bulldog Barker, acted in and helped direct drama productions, performed with musical groups, and did school and community service projects. She went on to earn a B.A. in journalism and a Masters in interdisciplinary studies at theUniversityofOregon. As a senior, she was one of twelve outstanding women tapped for Mortar Board honors.

Pat was an active NBHS faculty member from 1953 to 1991, with a break in ’71-’73 to do substituting while serving as Oregon president of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international honorary for women educators. She taught English, advised school publications, and did college admissions and financial aid counseling. Key to preserving school history, Pat and her journalism students found the original time capsule when the brick building was replaced and spearheaded placement of a new time capsule in the current gym. She and her students also designed the school seal. Prior to her retirement, Pat and 16 local citizens incorporated the North Bend Community Scholarship Fund which has awarded more than $1,750,000 to Bulldog graduates.

Pat started a non-profit dog obedience school, earned the rank of sergeant with the NB Police Reserves, and helped organize the funding drive for the department’s first professionally trained K-9.  She served on the city budget committee, Historical Landmark Commission, and Friends of the Library. A freelance writer and editor, she has concentrated on local history. A prized possession is her collection of NB’s Depression-era myrtlewood money. In 1983, she co-founded the July Jubilee, the city’s annual birthday celebration.  In 1989, she was NB’s “Citizen of the Year” and in 2011 the “Honored Citizen”.

 Jack Goll - Class of 1948

Jack Goll was an excellent athlete and leader, involved in numerous activities at North Bend High School.  Jack was a member of the football team for four years, where he was named the All County Quarterback during his senior year.   He also played on the basketball team for three years, and was on the track team for three years.  Jack was also heavily involved in numerous other activities including being one of the founding members of Knights.  He participated as a member of Student Council, the Glee Club, Fire Squad, and was a contributing member of the Barker newspaper and the NBHS Annual.  After graduation, Jack joined the US Navy for four years.  He was a machine gunner on an Avenger and a Tornado Bomber while being stationed in Africa, Korea, and The Philippine Islands.  Jack had many passions in life, including coaching at Coos Catholic School.  He also officiated football, baseball, and softball games.  Jack was a member of the North Bend School Board from 1971-76 and served as the Chairman in 1972-73.  During this time, the current gymnasium was built at the high school.  Many people in North Bend will remember  Jack delivered mail for 31 years as a US Postal Employee.  Jack was also a member of the North Bend City Council from 1980-96.  He was influential in gaining a grant for building a senior center and also helped with support for a new public library.  In 1997, Jack received the “Outstanding Citizen Award” and was named the “North Bend Citizen of the Year.”  Jack and his wife Liz had four children, Jackie, Cindy, Mike, and Pat.  He later married Patty and they had two children, Mary and Judy.  Jack will always be remembered as one of the finest supporters of all Bulldog athletic teams.

Dick Berklund - Class of 1961

Dick Berklund attended North Bend High School from 1958-1961 where he was an outstanding wrestler.  He was a District Champion in both his Junior and Senior years, and in 1961, Dick Berklund became the first Bulldog wrestler to ever win a State Championship.  He accomplished this task at the 115 pound weight class, where he finished the season with a perfect 23-0 record.  After graduation, he briefly attended the University of Oregon on a wrestling scholarship before joining the army for three years, where he was in aviation and earned the pay grade of Sergeant before being discharged.  While in Fort Lewis, he was the 6^th Army Champion wrestler at 137 pounds, and was undefeated for two years.  After his tour of duty he worked in the construction industry until he returned to college on the GI Bill and graduated from the Oregon College of Education in 1971.  He received a degree in the field of Correction with a psychology minor.  He graduated with a 3.57 honors GPA.  Dick worked for 28 years as a Juvenile Court Counselor for the Washington County Juvenile Department in Hillsboro.  During his professional career he worked as an Intake Counselor, Traffic Referee, and directed the Washington County Drug and Alcohol referral program.  Dick also started a “Kids for Hire” program, a traffic safety school, and juvenile community service work crews.  He also coached in the “Little Guy” Baseball and Wrestling programs in Hillsboro.  In 1999, Dick and his spouse, Pauline built a new home in Central Oregon, where they lived for about five years before relocating to Silverton to be closer to their four children and five grandchildren.  Today, Dick and his wife enjoy running, hiking, cycling and climbing.  They have climbed Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and the South Sister.

Ted Whitley - Class of 1968

Ted Whitley was co-captain of the football, wrestling, and track teams and was a member of Student Council, Key Club, ONB, and National Honor Society.  He was Salutatorian of his class and was voted All-District center.  Ted received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.  He severed in many leadership positions as a cadet to include Cadet Captain, Company Commander and graduated in the top third of his class.  Ted received a commission in Military Intelligence.  In the Army, Ted conducted classified research leading to revolutionary methods for using National and Strategic Intelligence assets. Ted attended military flight training and conducted aerial surveillance missions along the border between South and North Korea. The culmination of Ted’s service in the Army was his assignment as a Research and Development Officer with the Army Space Program Office.  Ted worked with the U2/TR-1, SR-71 surveillance systems and many classified space based intelligence systems.   In 1984, Ted decided to focus on scientific and engineering research opportunities so he joined Boeing in Seattle.  As a scientist and engineer, Ted managed technology development projects related to highly proprietary space and airborne systems.  He currently conducts research with government laboratories and universities related to Shape Memory Alloys and other smart materials that enable new and innovative functions on aircraft, missiles and satellites. He also leads research into the automation of air traffic control and holds numerous patents.   As a member of the community, Ted serves on the San Juan County Veterans Advisory Board.  Over the past years he served as chairman of the Seabury school auctions, hosted over seven foreign exchange students, and was active with the Lutheran Church and earned an MBA degree.  Ted married the former Mary Lynn Hanson, a classmate at North Bend, and they have two wonderful daughters, Katherine and Tracy.

Don Thompson - Class of 1974

Don Thompson was an outstanding two-sport athlete earning varsity letters in both football and wrestling.  He was a varsity starter in the line as a sophomore, junior and senior.  Don excelled as a wrestler winning district titles his sophomore, junior and senior years and placing 3rd in district as a freshman and 3rd in state as a senior in 1974.  Don also captured the state Freestyle and Greco Roman titles in 1974 and was selected to be a member of the Oregon Cultural Exchange Wrestling team that traveled to New Zealand in the summer of 1974.  Don continued to wrestle at Oregon State University as a freshman.  His focus then turned to his education, graduatiing with a degree in construction engineering management.  Don returned to North Bend where he went to work in the family business, Donald W. Thompson Construction.  He has demonstarated an exceptional commitment to the North Bend School Distirct and community at large.  Don has been involved in organizations such as the North Bend Presbyterian Church, Rotary, KLYT Radio and North Bay Fire District.  He is known for his service to each group and willingness to help with any project.  At North Bend High School, Don was  key member of the high school stadium committee that led the fundraising and construction of the east and west gradnstands, restrooms, concessions, barbeque area, film room and Hall of Champions.  His knowledge of construction allowed for substantial savings on all those projects.  He aslo led a variety of volunteer labor work parties to build many of the buildings surrounding the field.