By Kyle Bailey

Two stories – one comes from my mother Nova who is 84.

In 1958 when Hatfield was running for Governor, he came to Roseburg for a meet and greet event. He talked to my mother for a minute and went on around the room. That was in the primary season – and come fall with the GOP Nomination in hand he came back for a similar event. He made his way around the room and eventually saw my mom. He walked up and said something like – “Hi Nova, how are you doing and how is that third grade class at Oakland elementary going?”

My parents were lower middle class quiet people and she was shocked he even remembered her. I can tell you that even when she had disagreements with his positions, she still voted for him. She was so impressed with his memory, I think she figured he must know what he was doing!

For me- growing up in the 70s Hatifeld and McCall were the two political figures who stood hands above anyone. I was impressed with his ability to take heat from his own party and stand by his convictions.

In the 1980s, I
was in the same venue with the Senator on two occasions.  
Once at then Classical KYTE radio in Portland, I met Hatfield when he came in to tape an announcement promoting the Oregon Symphony.  Around the same year, I also got to hear him speak at a men’s breakfast at our church in Beaverton. On both occasions I was convinced the Senator was on a different intellectual level than the rest of us.

Hatfield stood by his beliefs yet could still maintain close friendships with those he disagreed with.  I remember his strong opposition to the Reagan military buildup yet his ability to leave the Senate floor and go have dinner with his friends Ron and Nancy.  
If only more people in public life could be able to do that.  Clearly Mark Hatfield shaped Oregon, cared for Oregon, and impacted Oregon more than just about anyone in my lifetime.

By Jeff Arnold

I came to Washington as a Hatfield intern in August of 1979. On the very first day in the office, I was treated to his thoughtfulness, respect and care for his staff.

That night at a reception for the new Chief of Naval Operations, I was Mr. Arnold of his staff, not a lowly intern. He treated me with the same dignity as if I was Chief of Staff Gerry Frank. It was a very important lesson, and to this day, I treat my staff in the manner I learned from that first day with Senator Hatfield.

By Beverly Ready Clark

As an eighth grader at Parish Junior High in Salem, Oregon, my Social Studies and English teacher was Antoinette Kuzmanich. One fine day, Miss Kuzmanich marched us down to the Capitol Building to hear a speech by Mark Hatfield. We romantically inclined 8th graders informed our parents that “Miss Kuzmanich likes Mark Hatfield.”

Our parents explained that we were silly – 8th grade was the year we studied Oregon History, so that was undoubtedly the reason Miss Kuzmanich took us to hear Mark Hatfield. I graduated from Senator Hatfield’s alma mater, North Salem High School, in 1957. In 1958, our teacher became Mrs. Mark O. Hatfield. We were vindicated. Ha! I still have my copy of the original “Remarkable Recipes” which my mother gave me, and the former “Miss Kuzmanich” autographed.

By Ryan Moothart

In early May of 2008, I had the distinct privilege of welcoming Mark O. Hatfield back to the fraternity he founded at Willamette University. Brother Hatfield (as he is called by those of us lucky enough to do so) led the way in bringing the Beta Theta Pi fraternity to Willamette University in 1946. His efforts were rewarded and a Willamette University chapter was formed on January 4, 1947 with Mark O. Hatfield becoming member #0001 in our roll books.

In 2008, Willamette decided the original Beta fraternity house had to be torn down to make way for a new academic hall. Willamette Betas from years’ past came back one last time to say goodbye to the house, including its most prominent founding father. The brothers of Beta Theta Pi at Willamette University welcomed him and his wife in a very special commemorative event. Not only did we get to hear Senator Hatfield recall the glory days of his college years, but we also got to hear stories from his years in public service.

Even after all he had done, he was still the most humble and generous man who was happy to be there with his wonderful wife, Antoinette. The event went off very well (which was a relief because I planned it) and it ended with the Senator placing his fraternity pin on Antoinette’s jacket lapel (a gesture that is traditionally done when proposing marriage, but one Senator Hatfield never did and wanted to do before it was too late). It was an honor to meet him and it was a day I will never forget.