Phillip Helgesen

Dear Aunt JoAnn, LuAnn, Steve, Cindy and families. We are so saddened to learn of Uncle Phil's death & wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts & prayers. He was my baptismal sponsor & so special to all of us throughout the years. We have many fond memories of our times together as we were growing up & during the times we've been able to share in recent years. We had such a nice visit with him last spring & will always remember his great smile & the special memories we created. We will miss him greatly! Our love and sympathy to you all. Love, Dave & Ingrid

Phil was a wonderful neighbor and we thought alot about him! My favorite memory is Phil coming over to our fire pit in our backyard with some homemade wine. We had many good time with Phil and will remember them all forever! He will be missed.

I am so very sorry to learn of Phil's passing. Please accept my most sincere sympathy to you JoAnn and all of your family. I first met Phil when I came to Oregon to teach the marching band. Then, I was fortunate to buy Phil and JoAnn's wonderful house on Woodvale Drive. You both meticulously cared for that home and it was a joy to live in it. When we bought the home, Phil and JoAnn had to rent it back from us for a couple months until their new home was ready. I had some wonderful encounters with Phil during that time as he stored his tractor in OUR shed (ha!). Phil was a good man and an outstanding educator/superintendent of schools. He made the Oregon Schools great. He will be missed.

To Mr. Helgesen's family, I was a teacher at Oregon Middle School 1969-1974. I once needed 2 days off to be with my single brother who was having surgery. I went to Mr.Helgesen to ask permission and although "brother" wasn't on the excuse list Mr. Helgesen said, "I think we could allow that." I so appreciated that and endeavored to be worthy of his trust. I saw Mr. Helgesen as a man of integrity who lead the Oregon Schools in a very humble and trustworthy manner. My experiences at Oregon were very positive in part because of strong leadership. My sympathies to your family.

Aunt Joanne and your whole family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Knowing Uncle Phil spent is life in education -- helping others -- in an inspiration to all.