Remembering Bill Thorndike, 'Community Hero'

The OCF community is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our former Board Chair, Bill Thorndike. A visionary leader and pillar of the Southern Oregon community, Bill's impact on Oregon was immeasurable. Here are just some of the tributes we have gathered about Bill: 

“Bill embodied the generosity and community spirit that defines what it means to be an Oregonian. His service to OCF and so many causes in our state leaves a lasting legacy. Right up until the end, he was always ready to give abundantly of his time and deep insights. We’ll miss his warmth, humor and wisdom.”

~Lisa Mensah, OCF President and CEO

“Bill was always there with a helping hand and a warm smile. He was the gold standard of caring. He cared about southern Oregon.”

~U.S. Senator Ron Wyden

“Bill was a community hero in every aspect of what that means. He was so generous with his time, always willing to meet with anyone, no matter how busy he was.”

~Dee Anne Everson, United Way of Jackson County CEO/Executive Director, OCF Board Member

“He was such a champion for Oregon, the Rogue Valley, Philanthropy and OCF. I know we will miss him terribly.”

~Max Williams, former OCF President and CEO

“Bill was a passionate Oregonian who had a vast knowledge of every aspect of the state. How do I know? Because no matter what the topic was, he had a story about it. And he was a great storyteller! He had a ‘finger in the pie’ wherever he thought he could be of help and was, most often, the first person who came to mind when individuals or organizations from the State House to Crater Lake sought advice.

“He was also wise enough to pass the torch when his term was up or he was ready to move on to something else. I was deeply honored when he would ask me to step in his shoes but always wondered if I could live up to this community idol. I will miss his friendship, his advice, his passion for the many things he thought important. Maybe I'll buy a Crater Lake license plate in his memory!”

~Lyn Hennion, longtime friend and colleague

“Bill was the best of us. Always optimistic and rallying people to find a better future. He will be deeply missed.”

~Scott Bolton

“He was legendary for his contributions in serving Oregon. The American Leadership Forum of Oregon is very grateful for his love and support! It is our hope to continue his legacy of service, hope and courage. We are so grateful.”

~Vicki Nakashima

“Bill was a big hearted and awesome human being. Worked with him on the Crater Lake National Park Trust board; he was always willing to go the extra mile. Rest in peace my friend.”

~Peter W. Stott

“Bill always told it like it was, without equivocation and with abundant kindness and warmth. The world needs more like Bill.”

~Chip Lindsey

“My favorite part of our board meetings with Bill was when we shared what our communities were doing. He was always so excited about everything. Truly had joie de vivre. He will truly be missed by the many whose lives he touched.”

~Hyla Lipson

“Bill was a cherished friend and colleague. During our time in service on the Northwest Health Foundation and the Blue Cross Blue Shield community boards, I learned that his deep commitment of service to others was matched only by the integrity he brought to it. He will be missed by many.”

~Michael Alexander

“Bill Thorndike taught me a lot about board service. He was always interested in what other people and organizations were doing. He was always positive in talking about community projects. His warm smile and infectious laugh made you comfortable. He focused on the issue(s) and did not talk negatively about others. Bill would walk around the room and visit with people. While he cared about the organizations he worked with, his focus was on people first. He made me a better person.”

~Steve Roe

“I was so fortunate to get to work with Bill at the Crater Lake Trust and elsewhere (as many have noted Bill was everywhere!) He leaves behind a tremendous legacy.”

~Mike Lindberg

He set the standard for community service , tireless , visionary , kind , accessible, and a great manager . He had the golden touch when it came to working with people . He totally understood the critical nature of arts and culture.”

~Jeff Allen

“He made the world and especially Southern Oregon a much better place through all of his time, efforts and generosity. I can’t imagine not having him here to call on for advice and support. It’s going to be really really hard.”

~Polly Williams

“This is a huge loss to not just southern Oregon but also the entire state. He was such a community hero to so many. Bill, thank you for your dedication and service to others, we are heart broken at this loss.”

~Bill Ihle

“So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. What a passionate advocate for Southern Oregon. Thinking of his family and all who knew him.”

~Erin Borla, Executive Director & Trustee of The Roundhouse Foundation

“What a huge loss for this region and Oregon. He was such a pleasure to serve this state with and his impact will remain massive.”

~Cyreena Boston Ashby

“I had the great honor to work with Bill pretty closely for five years when he chaired an advisory body I staffed. (Bill seemed to almost always say “yes” when there was a community need that he could help fill.) Bill was constantly sought after to lead boards and commissions not just because of who he was, but because of how he was. He was thoughtful and strategic, practical and wise.

Bill was a great Oregonian in all the best senses. He was kind, he was public-minded, he did the work, he led by bringing others into conversations, and he never sought the spotlight. He cared about the future of the State of Oregon and the Rogue Valley, in part, because he was so connected to our past. While he will be missed, those who knew him are better for it … and many of us who never met him will continue to benefit from his servant leadership for years to come.”

~Alex Campbell

“Loved him. What a loss.”

~Judy Basker

“The sad news brings us back to what is important. Character is important. The choices and priorities Bill had were important. Bill was a good guy who did good things, willingly and generously.

Bill spent decades building social capital -- the glue and energy that make a place work better. He was on committees, and frequently led them. He was tireless. Hospital board. Education board. Government boards. Nonprofit boards. Social club boards. Business boards. Financial boards. He was a builder. He built community organizations. He was good at it.”

~Peter Sage, from Up Close with Peter Sage

In addition to the Board of Oregon Community Foundation, Bill served on the boards of Southern Oregon University, Oregon Business Council, Regence- Oregon BlueCross Blue Shield, Crater Lake National Park Trust, Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc., Oregon Economic Forum, Jefferson Regional Health Alliance, Philanthropy Northwest, and the Northwest Health Foundation, the Port of Portland, Asante Health System, Northwest Area Foundation and the Portland Branch of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank. His honors include the SOLV / Tom McCall Leadership Award and the Glenn Jackson Leadership Award from Willamette University.