William Rodney “Rod” Fielder, 85, died peacefully at his home in Brownsville earlier this month.
He was born in December 1930 in Eureka, Calif.
He was a long-time Oregon State University professor and Brownsville resident.
He was the author of several books of folksy stories about living in the country under the pen name “Oregon Bill.” In 1996 he published “Oregon Bill: The Collected Yarns of a Northwest Icon,” a collection of tales about his family and living in the area.
With his wife Sara, he also founded the Nuts for Jesus program, which is now an international effort.
Mr. Fielder is survived by his wife, Sara Fielder; children Kristina Hollerman, William Rodrick “Rick” and Pieter Fielder; stepchildren Ann and Nancy Miller, 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren, with one on the way.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Kathryn Fielder and stepson, Steve Miller.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome at Sharing Hands, The Brownsville Library, or the Nuts-for-Jesus program at United Methodist Church in Sweet Home.
A memorial was held Sept. 18 at the Brownsville Recreation Center.