Your Tuesday evening update on Salem news

Good evening, Salem.

Yesterday, we reported that Salem lawmaker and accomplished woodworker Gene Derfler died at age 101. Several readers shared stories or memories of Derfler in response to the news.

Reader Julie Curtis recalled Derfler visiting when she was a manager in the Tourism Division of the Oregon Economic Development Department in the early 1990s.

Then-Senate President Larry Campbell tasked him with investigating “to root out waste, and to come back with a plan on how to make it more efficient,” Curtis recalled.

She went on:

“I remember Gene walking through our offices, meeting with staff, looking into how lottery dollars were spent, etc. He was very polite and almost self-effacing as he made his rounds.

The bottom line is he went back to Campbell and said “they’re doing a great job!” Monies are flowing out to projects in all corners of the state. The staff is small and efficient and tracking lottery dollars well. We don’t need to overhaul anything …

I sure miss the days of integrity and honesty. And of kind politicians who had impeccable manners and treated people respectfully.”

Tim McFarland of Salem shared this memory:
“I remember going to NICO with my parents in the early sixties to buy a recliner. Mr. Derfler helped us, and he had a wristwatch with a transparent face (which allowed you to see its inner workings).

I asked him about it. He took it off and handed it to me to examine. I was surprised by this gesture and fascinated by the watch.

Of course, I gave it back to him, but I was so impressed and thankful that he had shared it with me.

We bought the recliner.“

Here’s some of today’s news. Head to our website anytime for the latest in Salem.

www.salemreporter.com

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PHOTOS: Vigil honors people who died in ICE custody

5 things to do in Salem this week: Cherry Blossom Day, free museum tours, motorcycle show

Republican gov hopefuls among Oregon lawmakers who missed more than one-third of session votes

City, school district pay thousands more per week for fuel as gas prices climb nationwide

Donate now – fund deep reporting on schools

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