WALTER O BAGLIEN
April 18, 1926 to August 13, 2013


Former Woodburn and Albany resident and school teacher Walter O. Baglien, 90, died August 13, 2016 at the Portland Veterans Administration Hospital.

Born in Lignite, North Dakota, the seventh of 11 children born of George and Ella Baglien, he lived there until about age 10 when his family moved to Dunsmuir, CA. In 1942, the family moved to Woodburn, Oregon where he graduated from Woodburn High school in 1944. Upon being drafted, he served Stateside as a Military Policeman stationed in Skokie, Illinois until the end of the war.

Mr. Baglien earned his bachelor's degree from the Oregon College of Education in Monmouth, Oregon. He then began a lifelong career as a teacher, coach, and public school administrator.

While student teaching, Mr. Baglien met the love of his life, Donna Taggesell. They met at Oaks Park Skating Rink in Portland, Oregon. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Baglien received his first teaching contract at the W. F. Jewett School in Gardiner, Oregon. After several months of long distance commuting, the couple were married on St. Patrick's Day, 1951.

After living in Gardiner for a few years, the couple moved to Roseburg, Oregon where he taught at Green School. While in Roseburg, his basketball skills were recognized by several semi-pro teams. Ultimately he decided against playing professionally and to focus instead on coaching. In 1955, they moved to Albany, Oregon where Mr. Baglien served initially as the Superintendent of Physical Education (Baggy Pants Baglien!) for the Albany Public Schools. During this time, the couple started their family and raised their three children Barbara Baglien Gordon (Mark), Donald (Rita), and David.

He was an active member of the Albany Jaycees. "Waltah" as he was known to his closest friends, was instrumental in bringing the Tomahawk throw to the world renowned Timber Carnival Championships. And of course, he continued coaching American Legion Baseball teams.

Mr. Baglien earned his Masters of Education from Oregon State University. In 1969, Mr. Baglien became the principal at Central Grade school where he served until he was transferred to principal the newly built Takena Grade School. At that time, he was given the additional responsibility of heading up the school lunch program for the school district. A few years later he added Riverside Grade School to his roster of duties while serving concurrently at Takena.

Upon retirement, the couple moved to Portland and back into the house where Mrs. Baglien grew up. He kept busy by remodeling his new old house, trading in the stock and commodity markets, attending Trailblazer games, re-uniting with his first students from Gardiner, and helping his children with their various home improvement projects.

While attending a Dunsmuir class reunion in 2004, Mr. Baglien was re-acquainted with a former class mate, Treva Jo Marcus. In 2008, the life-long friends travelled to Europe and cruised the Rhine River. Recently, they both attended each other's 90th birthday celebrations.

Mr. Baglien was preceded in death by Donna, his wife of 52 years. He is survived by his life long friend, Treva Jo Marcus of San Francisco , his only remaining sibling Russell (Janice) of Woodburn, his three children and two grand-children, Spencer Gordon (Barbara and Mark Gordon of Columbia City) and Brett Baglien (Donald and Rita Baglien of Roseburg).

The family would like to thank the dialysis staff and Dr. Tonja Dirks of the Portland VA Hospital for the excellent care they provided over the last seven years. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.org .