Bill Manning, a former professor at Portland State, passed away in his home after a fight with cancer on Tuesday, July 12. Bill was 73, and taught at PSU for 33 years in the School of Business Administration. He retired from the university in 1999 with emeritus status.
Bill and his wife, Norma, also gave to the city of Portland through volunteer work, including work with the Portland Rose Festival, for which he was named Volunteer of the Year in 2012. Bill also worked with church groups on outdoor activities, such as camping and fishing trips.
In addition to Norma, Bill is also survived by his daughters Toni Masingale, Kelly Summers and Andee McNabb, and sons-in-law Daren, Chris and Bill. Bill also parts with nine grandchildren, all from the Portland area. Bill’s brother Jim, also passed, was also a member of the PSU faculty.
Bill also leaves behind many within the PSU community that have been touched by his work and his influence. Friend and fellow business professor Ellen West wrote to the Vanguard about the faculty’s time with Bill:
“He was an amazing friend and colleague and so very positive about life,” West wrote. “He taught us all about taking care of friends and being so supportive of all of us. And his laugh was one of the best things about him. He did that often and it was wonderfully infectious and so reflective of the amazing person that he was.”
From the family:
Those with whom he shared his life and love are invited to attend his Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 6 at 1 p.m. at St. Clare Catholic Church, 8535 SW 19th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97219. A reception will follow at the Parish Hall. There will be no burial service. Memorial contributions may be made to the PSU School of Business or the Portland Rose Festival Foundation.
You are invited to his CaringBridge site and to sign the online guest book at Oregon Live.
Correction: On initial publication, the Vanguard cited Bill’s wife as Nora; Mrs. Manning’s name is Norma. Online publication has been edited in correction.
