February 2021 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER 15
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The North Willamette Research and Extension Center will start a new agrivoltaics research project that will study how to combine growing crops and producing solar energy on the same land .
NWREC
By MIKE BONDI
Agrivoltaics — next big initiative at NWREC
The North Willamette Research and Extension Center ( NWREC ) will break ground on a new agrivoltaics research project this spring that will study how to combine growing crops (“ agri ”) and producing solar energy (“ voltaics ”) on the same land — something not typically done now . The NWREC installation will become the first energy / farm research study area of its kind in the world .
“ We see plenty of solar panels being set up on areas that can take good farm land out of production for crops ,” said Chad Higgins , an associate professor at Oregon State University and leader of the project . Chad has been developing data and information suggesting that growing some kinds of crops — vegetables , grain and nursery plants — could actually be benefitted by the partial shade provided by overhead solar panels .
“ But , to create a commercial agriculture application for Oregon , we are going to need different designs and figure out just which crops make most sense to grow in this system ,” Chad said .
NWREC established their first solar energy array in 2014 when one acre of the Research Center was dedicated to energy production . The energy produced by NWREC ’ s array , and seen along Miley Road , generates about 200 kilowatts of power annually — depending on the weather — and currently provides about 80 % of the center ’ s electrical needs .
“ Our array works well ,” said Mike Bondi , NWREC Director . “ But , we did lose one acre of very productive land at the center when we decided to generate electricity . Chad ’ s concept will experiment with solar panels oriented north / south , instead of east / west — as typically done — raise the panels up and higher off the ground so we can run equipment and farm underneath them and spread the panel arrays farther apart for the equipment needs . We think this is an exciting concept .”
In addition , new semi-translucent panels and other technologies will be evaluated for performance when growing crops .
The future of farming will be more and more influenced by most efficiently using energy resources , water and maximizing the potential of the land . Generating energy from farm land , while still growing important crops for their markets , could be a very attractive opportunity for local farmers . Excess power from the new agrivoltaics NWREC array will be available in the electrical grid .
See NWREC ’ s website for a video link about agrivoltaics and this new potential application for farmers in the region at https :// extension . oregonstate . edu / nwrec .
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Memorial Tributes
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Celebrate Their Life
Charles William ( Bill ) Thorpe August 21 , 1936 - September 11 , 2020
Charles William ( Bill ) Thorpe , 84 , of Milwaukie , Oregon passed away on September 11 , 2020 in Milwaukie , Oregon .
Bill was born in Oregon City to Max and Helen Thorpe on August 21 , 1936 . He graduated from West Linn High School and attended Pacific University . He retired after many years with the U . S . Postal Service . He was an active bowler and played in leagues for many years . He played basketball , baseball , softball , and golf and loved watching all sports and attending his kids ’ and grandkids ’ games . He served in the National Guard .
Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years , Lois , and his children , Charlie ( Lisa ), Linda , Scott ( Wanda ), Tom ( Cindy ), and Julie ( David ), and his grandchildren , Alex , Alyson ( Phil ), Tyler ( Chelsea ), Shelby and Daniel , and great grandchildren , Grace , Audrey , and Brooks , and his sisters and brothers , Kenny , Wayne , JoAnne and Wendy . He was preceded in death by his sister Laverne and brother Melvin .
Due to COVID restrictions , a celebration of life will be held at a later date . Crown Memorial of Milwaukie will be handling the funeral arrangements .
Memorial donations may be made to the Milwaukie American Legion Post # 180 , 2146 SE Monroe St ., Milwaukie , OR 97222 .
Ursula Ruth Mayes February 5 , 1930 to July 27 , 2020
Born in Swift Current , Saskatchewan , Canada . Moved to Sandy , Oregon with family . Ursula met & married Virgil Dahrens . They raised daughter , Carol Ann until Virgil ’ s sudden motorcycle death one year later . Ursula later married Bob Grashorn & they lived on a farm in Boring Oregon . Donna Jean & Bill Grashorn were born & raised on the farm also . Ursula was a dental assistant for Dr . William Grashorn & later worked at Teamsters . She was an amazing mother , homemaker & caretaker of the farm . Later after her divorce she married Gerald Dieringer & stepson Steve was added to the family . Gerald passed away in 1998 . In 2002 she met & married Don Mayes . Ursula is survived by daughter Carol Ann Skibba ( Wayne ), Granddaughters Valerie , Angela & Jenny . Grandson Richard & many great grandchildren & great-great grandchildren . She is preceded in death by son Bill , daughter Donna Jean , stepson Steve , husband Don Mayes , sister Wanda , brother Jack and grandson John . She has 2 surviving siblings , Cathy of Gresham , Oregon & Patrick of Hamilton Ontario , Canada . We would like to thank Providence hospice for their caring support . A special thank you to Sheri Lenhardt & family for the wonderful caring home at “ Farmhouse Eldercare ”. Ursula will be buried with son Bill Grashorn at Douglas Cemetery in Troutdale , Oregon . There will be a memorial celebration in her honor at a later date .
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Merl A . Plummer April 7 , 1955 – September 6 , 2020
Merl A . Plummer of Ft . Mohave , Arizona died on September 6 , 2020 in Bellevue , WA . at age 65 . He was born on April 7 , 1955 to Byrl and Betty Plummer .
Merl was raised in Canby , OR . and graduated from Canby High School in 1973 . He then served in the Air Force and retired from his career as a CPA in 2019 . He enjoyed playing golf , poker and riding his motorcycle . Merl was preceded in death by his parents . He is survived by his son , Matthew Plummer ; daughter , Kristi Plummer ; grandson , Marcus Plummer ; brother , Earl Plummer ; and sister Carol Paradis . There will not be a service per Merl ’ s request .
Dr . John E . ( Jack ) Kysar March 15 , 1926 – September 15 , 2020
Dr . John Edwin ( Jack ) Kysar of Lake Oswego , Oregon , passed away on September 15 , 2020 . Born in Norfolk , Nebraska on March 15 , 1926 , Dr . Kysar was a lifelong tennis player who loved reading , gardening and playing the piano . He served honorably in the U . S . Navy in World War II and graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine . He practiced in Illinois , serving as Director of Health Services at University of Illinois at Chicago Circle for over 20 years .
Growing up in Norfolk , Nebraska , he was close friends with Johnny Carson and appeared on the television show “ Johnny Comes Home ”, featuring their childhood community .
Dr . Kysar is survived by his beloved wife , Judy Davis , with whom he shared 27 joyful years of marriage , a love of Oregon , and the great outdoors , exciting international trips and life adventures . Dr . Kysar will be deeply missed by his wife ’ s two children , Johnny Davis and Lara Davis , Johnny ’ s fiance Stacey Myers and by his son Chris Kysar and his wife Jess Kysar , and their children CJ , Kyle , Michael and Galya , and by his son Tom Kysar . He was preceded in death by his youngest son , Peter Kysar .
A virtual memorial to honor Dr . Kysar ’ s life is currently being planned at First Unitarian Church of Portland .
Barbara Joan Nichols , 81 , passed long friendships among her colleagues port they have away peacefully with family by her side and enjoyed countless visits from former received during the last few
Wednesday , September 2 , 2020 after a students who remembered her as a teacher short battle with cancer . who genuinely cared about them . She simply loved teaching , and it showed . would also like
months . They
After retirement , Barbara and Larry to thank Pastor spent many happy years travelling . They John Foss and went on cruises to Alaska and through the the Community Panama Canal , and they loved spending of Hope congregation for time in Sedona , Arizona , Sunriver , Cabo San Lucas , Mexico , and California . their support .
Family was the most important thing Barbara is in Barbara ’ s life . She was an amazing survived by her husband , Larry Nichols ;
After her marriage , Barbara moved to mother , proud of both her children , but daughter Dawn Lynn ( Chris ) Lanier ; son Oregon in 1965 , with her husband and her true joy in life came with the arrival of Douglas ( Christi ) Nussmeier , and grandchildren Barbara and Chase Lanier and their daughter , Dawn Lynn . They settled her 5 grandchildren . She was their # 1 fan , in Lake Oswego , and their son , Douglas , no matter what they were doing . She was Garrett , Ashlynn and Colton Nussmeier . was born in 1970 . After her divorce , Barbara married Larry Nichols in 1979 , and in their lives . She sent care packages for her oldest granddaughter and her oldest
never happier than when she was involved It is a wonderful tribute to Barbara that they continued to live in Lake Oswego until 1996 , when they moved to Wilsonville . that she had lovingly sewn herself . She la-
There will be no service at this time .
every holiday , which often included items grandson are both named in her honor .
Barbara taught Language Arts , Social bored for hours on scrapbooks that were If you would like to make a donation in Studies and Publications at Lake Oswego delivered for milestone events . All of her Barbara ’ s memory , please direct them to Junior High School before retiring in 1997 grandchildren feel lucky to have had her Community of Hope , PO Box 98 , Wilsonville , OR 97070 for their “ Food 4 after 30 years of teaching . During those as a constant presence in their lives . years she became a department chair and Barbara was a true friend to many , and Thought ” program a mentor of new teachers . She made life- her family is very grateful for the sup-
Barbara was born to Dorothy and Wallace Garrett August 14 , 1939 in Highland Park , Michigan . She was an adored only child . After graduating from Cooley High School she attended Michigan State University , graduating in 1960 with a degree in History . She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority , and had many wonderful memories of the time she spent in East Lansing .
Barbara Joan Nichols August 14 , 1939 to September 2 , 2020
James William Howe February 1 , 1983 - September 11 , 2020
James William Howe of West Linn , Ore . passed away from brain cancer peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on September 11 , 2020 .
James was born on February 1 , 1983 to Richard and Diana Howe . He graduated from West Linn High School and then joined the Marine Corps . He served in the 2nd Persian Gulf War and ended his tour of duty in 2005 . James career was an FSR , a Field Service Rep . for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles “ Drones ”.
He enjoyed visiting his family cabin in Bandon , Oregon . Bird watching , spending time outdoors and working in his yard were always what made him happy . He loved spending time with his family when he was not traveling to the 26 countries he ended up in during his career .
James is survived by his parents , Richard and Diana
Howe of Milwaukie , Ore .; sister , Kaycee Rado and brother-in-law , Mark Rado of Oregon City , Ore .; nephew , Jace Rado of Oregon City , Ore ; and his beloved cat , “ Ginger Kitty ” .
A celebration of life will be held at a later date .
Donations may be sent to the Oregon Humane Society in James ’ Honor .
Pearl Dorine Smith
March 26 , 1928 to September 2 , 2020
Pearl Dorine Smith , 92 of Portland Oregon passed away peacefully in her home with her family at her side .
Pearl was born in Prairie DuRocher , Illinois under the name of Lutitia Pearl Froggatt and was adopted by William & Celia O ’ Banion October 24th 1931 . In her younger years she was a model but gave that up for her family . During the time of WW2 she worked for the railroad and in later years was a Realtor and worked at the Multnomah County Courthouse researching property records .
Pearl is survived by her husband of 48 years George Smith and five children from a previous marriage . Donna- Lynn Bogh Kublick , Christian Bogh , Bob & Wendy Bogh Schomann , Bruce & Valerie Bogh Simpson and step daughter Susan & Mac Smith Hamilton , and daughter-inlaw Leticia Sass .
Pearl had thirteen Grandchildren , Forrest Kublick , Brent Kublick , Katie Simpson , Shane Carter , Trent Bogh , Justin Kuhn , Brandon Simpson , Flint Carter , Jonathan Bogh , Adrianna Bogh , LaShawna Bogh , Matthew Hamilton and Holly Weber along with thirteen Great Grandchildren . She was preceded in death by her Brother Clifford Norman Froggatt and Daughter Gwendolyn Bogh Carter .
Wife , Mother , Grandmother her greatest joy in life was her family .
Due to State social distancing requirements a memorial will take place at a later date .