1964 President Irving Gilbert Ewen
/Irving Gilbert Ewen was born on October 12, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois. Soon after, Portland became his home. He later attended Gregory Heights Grade School and received his high school diploma from Ulysses Simpson Grant High School in June 1950. Pursuing courses in geology and geography at Oregon State College where he was affiliated with Delta Sigma phi fraternity, Vanport College, Portland State Extension Center, and Portland State College he was graduated in June 1959. From June 1956 through June 1958, he served in the U.S. Army full time for two years. His experience included being stationed at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia for three months and working at the Army Map Service in Washington D. C. Approximately one and one-half years were spent at Ft. Sam Houston (San Antonio) Texas with the Fourth Army Headquarters with a "Terrain Intelligence Detachment."
1964 - IRVING GILBERT EWEN
Irving became interested in geology at Portland Extension Center (fore-runner to PSU) when he took the first course taught there by Dr. Ruth Edwinna Hopson (affectionately referred to by her students as "Aunty Ruthy"). His interest in geology and his attendance at GSOC meetings was inspired by Dr. Hopson. The appetite for field work and an appreciation for the out-of-doors was whetted as a result of several field trips to Collier Glacier in the Three Sisters Wilderness area.
Credit for his continuing interest and inspiration in geology is due in great part to Ralph Stevenson Mason, State Mining Engineer with the State of Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (known to many as "DOGAMI").
The frosting on the academic cake can be attributable to Dr. John Eliot Allen, Major Professor and Head of the Geology Department at Portland State College. A significant accomplishment of his senior year at Portland state was an extensive in-depth study of the land slide problems of the Wind Mountain Girl Scout Camp, east of Stevenson, Washington.
After attending several meetings of the Society at the Multnomah County Library, he became a member in 1954 and served the membership as Field Trip Chairman, Library Night Chairman, Banquet Chairman (two years), Editor of the Geological Newsletter (five years), and then was elected President in 1964, followed by two years as a director on the Executive Committee. The theme he chose for the year's lectures during his presidency was "Man and His Minerals." His President's Campout was held on Labor Day week-end, September 4-6, 1964, at the Bohemia Mining District, east of Cottage Grove. Twenty-six GSOC’ers attended. This area was chosen because of its historical interest, accessibility, and proximity to the Portland area. It was felt that visiting some of the famous mines of the area would help emphasize the importance of "Man and His Minerals."
The hobbies and other interests that greatly consume his time are hiking with the Mazamas and being a member of two railroad enthusiast groups: Vernonia, South Park and Sunset Railroad and also the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.
"Irv's" part time employment during college days was with the state of Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, He spent one summer as field assistant to Andy Corcoran (During this time he became a charter member of the "Armstrong Drilling Company" on the Bauxite Project in the South Salem hills). He also gained experience during college with the Department in drafting geologic maps.
His full time employment since 1959 has been with the Multnomah County Planning Commission.
