Class Notes

Kenneth Cyral Dixson Sr. JD ’76 died on April 20, 2020. He was 73.

Kenneth was born in Los Angeles on August 12, 1946, to Alice LynAudrey Rose Bryant and Herman Ashe. He was active in the civil rights movement in Los Angeles and was one of five African American students who integrated the city’s South Gate Senior High School in the early 1960s. An outstanding and lettered high school athlete, Kenneth attended Pacific University on football and track and field scholarships.

In 1967, Kenneth married Lillian M. Nakamura, whom he described as the love of his life and with whom he raised three daughters: Adrienne, Alyss, and Alana. After graduating from Officers Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Da Nang, Vietnam. Upon completion of his tour of duty, Kenneth was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant.

Kenneth practiced law in Portland and was the only attorney who had a law office in the city’s Albina neighborhood. As one of a few African American attorneys in Portland who were in private practice, he was quoted as saying, “There are three types of people: white collar, blue collar, and no collar. I serve the no-collar people.”

Kenneth had a sharp legal mind, a quick wit, vast vocabulary, love of languages, and the ability (and willingness) to debate anyone, on nearly any topic, at any time. He valued education and learning, was a voracious reader, and took great pride in the academic, scholarly, and artistic accomplishments of his progeny. He cherished his children and grandchildren and took every opportunity to shower them with love and affection. Kenneth had a passion for music and movies and shared both with his family and friends. He was also an early adopter of technologies who built his own computers and was fascinated with the changing technological landscape. He also adored being near the water and preferred the serenity and solitude of the ocean over the bustle of the city. Kenneth lived the last years of his life on his treasured boats in Long Beach, California.

Kenneth is survived by daughters Adrienne D. Dixson, PhD; Alyss D. Dixson, MFA; Alana D. Dixson, MD, PhD; and Lazonia Sargent; son Kenneth C. Dixson Jr.; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters Martha Dawson and Marva Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, loving cousins, extended family, and lifelong friends.

Dennis J. Hubel JD ’76 died at home September 16, 2019, after several years of undergoing surgeries and treatments for myeloma cancer, heart disease, and pulmonary problems. He was 71.

Dennis, a native New Yorker, grew up in Portland and most recently lived in Wilsonville. After attending Cornell University on a Navy ROTC scholarship and studying engineering, he spent time in the Navy on a nuclear submarine and served in Vietnam.

Following his service, Dennis enrolled in law school, clerking for then-U.S. Attorney Sid Lezak. He practiced law as a partner in Mitchell, Lang & Smith from 1976 to 1987. Dennis then worked as a partner for the Karnopp Peterson firm in Bend until he was appointed as a part-time magistrate judge in eastern Oregon in 1995. He was appointed to a full-time magistrate judge’s seat on January 1, 1998, and moved his chambers to Portland. Although Dennis retired in January 2015, he remained on recall status and maintained his chambers at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse until his death.

Dennis was active in the Professional Liability Defense Fund and served for several years on the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference’s Magistrate Judges’ Education Committee. He also served on the Mount Bachelor Ski Education Foundation board of directors from 1993 through 1997.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Marcia, and two children.

Teunis James Wyers Jr. JD ’76 passed away on August 26, 2019, surrounded by family at his home in White Salmon, Washington. He was 73.

Teunis was born in Hood River, Oregon, on April 4, 1946, to Teunis and Lucile Wyers. During his high school years he worked on the Kreps Ranch bucking hay during the summer. After graduating high school in 1964, he briefly studied sociology at the University of Oregon. 

Teunis married Barbara Ann Clemmons on May 25, 1968, shortly after joining the U.S. Navy. He completed his military training while Barbara attended business school in Portland. Following his honorable discharge in 1972, Teunis completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon. He passed the bar exam one month before his father, also an attorney, died in 1976. Teunis moved back to Hood River to take over the law practice, where he remained until 2010. He practiced in Bingen, Washington, from 2010 to 2019.

Teunis married Sheila Mortenson in 1981 and Pat Kreps on July 31, 1993. He enjoyed horseback riding and packing, hunting, traveling, camping, restoring antique cars, tinkering, and community service.

Teunis is survived by his wife Pat Kreps Wyers; daughters Johanna Katherine Wyers and Darcy Lefebvre; sons Teunis Gerbrand Wyers and Randy Wyers; a granddaughter; several stepchildren and step-grandchildren; brother Jan Wyers; and sister Karen Robertson, as well as many nieces and nephews.