Document text
M/CLOUDY Temp: 41 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Saturday, December 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend December 7, 2002 Former lawmaker develops pneumonia Four-term congressman John Dellenback, 84, held leadership positions in areas of education and natural resources By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune On Thanksgiving Day, John Dellenback, a former Republican congressman from Medford, fell ill while visiting his daughter in Eugene. "He didn’t have any dinner," remembered his wife of 54 years, Mary Jane. The next day when they returned to Medford, she rushed her 84-year-old husband to Providence Medford Medical Center where he was diagnosed with viral pneumonia. He has since been listed in critical condition, hooked up to a ventilator to help him breathe. "At this point it’s just a matter of wait and see," said his wife. "He’s heavily sedated and on a ventilator." While his condition is serious, Mary Jane Dellenback said, doctors have told her they think her husband has a good chance of pulling through. "If anybody can do it, John can," she said. The Dellenbacks have three children, Richard David and Barbara. Dellenback had suffered from an age-related kidney disease. He received a kidney transplant for the disease — called nephrosclerosis — in 1997 at Oregon Health & Science University. At the time, he was the nation’s oldest kidney transplant recipient at age 78. His wife, then 68, volunteered to donate one of her kidneys and was the nation’s third-oldest donor. Former Republican Gov. Vic Atiyeh, a longtime political colleague, said his prayers go out to Dellenbeck. "He is just a very fine human being," he said. "He was a very strong ally and representative of his constituency. He was a very strong advocate for his people down there." Atiyeh first met Dellenback when they began serving in the Oregon Legislature in 1960. In 1974, Dellenback lost his bid for re-election to Congress. "That was a bad year for both of us," said Atiyeh "We both lost." But, despite the upset, Atiyeh said, they both went on to have successful careers. "Over the years we have kept close touch with each other," said Atiyeh. Dellenback, known for being a nonsmoker and nondrinker, was elected to Congress in 1966. The four-term congressman held leadership positions in areas of education and natural resources. He was known at the state capitol for his bow-tie and the high ideals that earned the nickname "St. John." Dellenback wrote legislation establishing the vast Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. He wrote amendments to a bill allowing the construction of the Alaska oil pipeline, holding pipeline permit-holders and shippers liable for oil spills. In 1975, President Ford appointed Dellenback director of the Peace Corps and its 6,700 volunteers. He served in that position for two years. An ardent promoter of Christian education, Dellenback was president of the Christian College Coalition from 1977 to 1988. The coalition grew from 10 colleges in 1971, to 77 by the end of his presidency. It later became the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities. Following his retirement, Dellenback was an official of the nonprofit relief organizations World Vision U.S.A. and World Vision International for a number of years. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S