Oral history interview with Vern B. Ryles

Collection

Identifier: SR 2048

Staff Only

Oral history interview with Vern B. Ryles

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Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Vern B. Ryles was conducted by Michael O’Rourke at Ryles’s office in Portland, Oregon, from June 2, 1994 to February 23, 1995, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library’s oral history program. The interview was conducted in seven sessions.

In sessions one and two, Ryles discusses his family background and early life in Walla Walla, Washington, his relationship with his father, and his marriage to Nancy Wyly. He talks about working for a trucking company in Chicago, Illinois, during the time that Jimmy Hoffa ran the Teamsters Union.

In sessions three through five, Ryles shares his thoughts about the economic and social factors behind the increase in homelessness, particularly in Oregon, in the late 20th century. He talks about his work as a member of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to provide social services to people experiencing homelessness in Portland, discusses Portland Mayor Bud Clark’s 12-point plan to address homelessness, and talks about the development of the Homeless Action Fund.

In sessions six and seven, Ryles reflects on the accomplishments of Portland’s programs for homeless services. He then speaks at length about Nancy Ryles’ service on the Beaverton school board; representing Washington County in the Oregon House from 1979 to 1982, and in the Oregon Senate from 1983 to 1987; and as a member of the Public Utility Commission from 1987 until her death in 1990. He talks about his marriage to Nancy Ryles, and about her death from cancer.

Dates

Creation: 1994 June 2-1995 February 23

Creator

Ryles, Vern B. (Vernon Barton), 1937-2013 (Interviewee, Person)
O'Rourke, Michael (Filmmaker) (Interviewer, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following statement: Creative Commons - BY-NC-SA, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Biographical note

Vernon “Vern” Barton Ryles was born in Walla Walla, Washington, in 1937. Around 1945, his family spent one year in Arkansas, then returned to Washington. A short time later, the family relocated to Portland, Oregon. In 1957, he and Nancy Ann Wyly were married; they later had four children. In 1959, he earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Oregon. He served as president for Poppers Supply Co., a popcorn distribution company in Portland, Oregon. From the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, he was involved with a variety of government panels and local organizations related to employment and development. He served on the Central Eastside Industrial Council (1979-1985); was director of the Portland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (1986-1991); served on the Workforce Quality Council for the State of Oregon (1991-1994); and served on the Portland Development Commission (1992-1994). He was also the director of Goodwill Industries of Oregon from 1973 to 1979 and again from 1984 to 1990. He died in 2013.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (15 audiocassettes (12 hr., 1 min., 8 sec.))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history interview with Vern B. Ryles conducted by Michael O'Rourke from June 2, 1994-February 23, 1995. Ryles discusses his work to provide services to people experiencing homelessness in Portland, Oregon, during the 1980s, and about the political career of his wife, Nancy Ryles.