The concept of Blanchet originated on the University of Portland campus in the late 1930’s, with the formation of the Blanchet Club. Although the House was not formed for thirteen more years, the club laid the foundation for the future by doing various works of mercy for the poor in the community.
The founders and prior Board members of Blanchet have devoted a significant amount of their time, talent and treasure since the formation of the Blanchet Club. Through good times and bad times, they committed themselves to Blanchet, in order to ensure that it would be there for those in need. Many on the Emeritus Board still play an active role today. We owe all prior Club and Board members our thanks and prayers.
What compelled them to keep going? Knowing that we see God in every human we meet, and the belief that, “What you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.”
Another very important individual in the long history of Blanchet is late former Director of Blanchet, Al Riley. Al was the Director of Blanchet for over 35 years. He was a man who was filled with faith, humility, grace and compassion for his fellow man. To read more about Al, go to the Riley House in the Facilities section.
Current Emeritus Board
- Don Broderick
- Jim Drum
- Gene Feltz
- Jim O’Hanlon
- Joe Moore
- John Moore
- Tom Moore
- Joe Van Gulick
- Pete Van Hoomissen
- Bob Wack
Prior Club Members, Board Members, Managers and Clergy
- Joe Adams
- Larry Adrien
- Stan Bacon
- Carroll Bagley
- Al Batiste
- Rev. Richard Berg
- George Bertrand (deceased)
- John Biern
- Frank Bogren (deceased)
- Andy Brooks
- Larry Bryant (deceased)
- Jim Carr (deceased)
- Pat Carr (deceased)
- Bernie Cavanaugh
- Dan Christianson (deceased)
- Peter Christianson
- Hap Clarke
- Bill Clessler (deceased)
- Kev Collins (deceased)
- Richard Collins
- Jerry Conway
- Richard Cristen (deceased)
- John De Zell
- Frank Eileff
- Bud Emery (deceased)
- Jack Fee (deceased)
- Paul Feltz
- Ed Ferguson (deceased)
- James Foley
- Leo Garrow
- Joe Gillis (deceased)
- Harold Gehlan
- Harry Gleason
- Fred Granata
- John Greene (deceased)
- Bernie Harrington (deceased
- Dan Harrington
- John Harrington
- John Higgins (deceased)
- Archbishop Edward Howard (deceased)
- Donald Jessop
- Wayne Keith (deceased)
- Don Kelly (deceased)
- Rev. Francis Kennard (deceased)
- Lou Kleffner (deceased)
- Robert Knapp (deceased)
- Tom Kohl
- Bill Leary
- John Little
- Ted Little
- Patrick McCabe (deceased)
- William McCoy (deceased)
- Hugh McGinnis
- Ben Neidermeyer (deceased)
- Tim O’Hanlon
- John O’Keefe
- Joe Petrusich (deceased)
- Rev. Maurice Rigley (deceased)
- Al Riley (deceased)
- Leo Ryan (deceased)
- Merle Sharp (deceased)
- Tom Selliken (deceased)
- Roger Sinnott
- Bob Stark (deceased)
- Bishop Kenneth Steiner
- Glen Stephens (deceased)
- Tom Sullivan
- Gene Tabor
- Monsignor Martin Thielen (deceased)
- Hugh Thomas
- Robert Tilden
- Vern Tovrea
- Oliver Vreeland (deceased)
- Don Washtok
- Rev. Louis Weis (deceased)
- Gene Westberg
- Lawrence Williams
- Edwin Wilson (deceased)
- Henry Woods
- James Zeller
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