>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

The Eastern Oregon University community has lost a man who has an integral place in its history.

Carlos Easley, 91, a professor and administrator at EOU for more than three decades before retiring in 1977, died Saturday at his home in La Grande.

Easley was dean of instruction at Eastern during his final decade at the university. He also served as Eastern’s acting president in 1973 after President Averno Rempel had stepped down and a search was conducted for his successor.

“He was well known for his devotion to the campus and the community,’’ said Gerald Young, who worked under Easley as a science professor and later served as dean of Eastern’s school of arts and sciences.

Young credits Easley with providing him with instrumental guidance when he was starting his career as an administrator.

“He had a big influence on me. He always took the time to assist me,’’ Young said.

As dean of instruction Easley was second in command at Eastern. He had the same responsibilities that the provost and vice president for academic affairs has today.

Young said Easley had a special touch as a campus leader.

“He got to know the faculty on campus on a personal level,’’ Young said.

EOU President Dixie Lund credits Easley with providing her with instrumental support when she started working at the university in 1973 as a business teacher.

“I felt overwhelmed so I was very appreciative of the help he gave me. I always knew he wanted me to be successful and had my best interest at heart,’’ Lund said.

Easley spent a great deal of time reaching out to the community. The La Grande Chamber of Commerce recognized his efforts in 1977 when it named Carlos and his wife, Wilma, its Man and Woman of the Year.

Easley’s community service work included extensive time helping the La Grande School District get two major bond levies passed in the early and mid-1970s. The bonds had a major impact, paying for construction of La Grande Middle School and Island City Elementary School and the west addition to La Grande High School. Easley helped lead the committee that got the bonds passed.

Easley’s time at EOU dates back to 1943 when he was hired to teach pre-flight training courses for a U.S. Army air cadet program at Eastern. He taught at Eastern for a year, left in 1944 and then returned  in 1945 when he was hired by the university to teach radio electronics.

A service for Easley will start at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the First Christian Church. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of the arrangements.