Harry Lonsdale

Published 12:33 am Saturday, December 13, 2014

January 19, 1932 – November 11, 2014Harry Lonsdale was raised on a mom-and-pop chicken ranch in New Jersey, earned a Ph.D in chemistry from Penn State, served in the U.S. Air Force in New Mexico, worked as a research scientist in California and started Bend Research, a successful high tech company that he sometimes referred to with great affection as his third child. He presented scientific papers at membrane conferences in some of the most beautiful places in the world. Concerned about the direction our country was taking and with no political experience, he ran for the U.S. Senate in Oregon. He gave Mark Hatfield a run for his money in 1990, lost to Les AuCoin in a squeaker by just 330 votes in 1992 and ran a grassroots, let’s-have-some-fun campaign against Tom Bruggere in 1996. For the rest of his life he was an ardent political activist dedicated to campaign finance reform and a more democratic America. In the last five years of his life he pursued his passionate interest in the Origin of Life and created an international award for scientific research in that area. He was an atheist and a strong supporter of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, as well as a champion of the rights of Palestinians, Oregon’s forests and deserts and science education.He lived life enthusiastically. He was deeply touched and many times lifted by music. He loved the Metolius River, wildflowers, Ponderosa pines, the American West, Australia, golf, sunrises and sunsets, wide open spaces, interesting conversations, writing and reading, including a lifelong appreciation of the works of John Steinbeck. He treasured his many, many good friends and his family. More than anything else he wanted to make a difference in this world. He admired people who had the courage to speak their opinions and work for what they believed in. And that’s what he strived to do.He is survived by his former wife and the mother of his children, Connie Lonsdale; his two children, Karen Trachsel and Sandy Lonsdale; two grandchildren, Walter and Doug Trachsel; his friend and former wife Bryn Hazell; his partner Chrisanne Ondrovic; and many wonderful people whose friendships he deeply valued.There will be a public Celebration of Life for Harry on Sunday, December 14 at 1 pm at Aspen Hall, 18920 NW Shevlin Park Road, Bend.Contributions in Harry’s memory can be made to the nonprofits he founded: The Giving Back Fund or for tax-deductible donations, Democracy’s Edge. Checks can be mailed to these organizations at 19580 Century Dr., Bend, OR 97702.