Raymond Carsten Hallberg

Ray was born to Marie and Rudolph Hallberg on a farm in Independence Oregon. He had a brother, Al, who was 4 years older. During Ray’s youth the Hallbergs would move multiple times to homes in Salem and eventually Portland, where he lived until 1942 when he enlisted in the Army. Despite a limited education, Ray scored high enough on Army entrance exams to give him the opportunity to go to Officer’s Candidates’ School. By the time he ended his service, Ray had achieved the rank of Captain. Ray was part of an anti-aircraft artillery unit in Hawaii where he met Army Nurse, 2nd Lieutenant Alice Dierenfield, who would become his wife. They married in 1946 and remained happily married and devoted companions until her death in 2011. In 1945 Ray started his own contract painting firm and also worked as a commercial artist and cartoonist. Having created a successful painting business, Ray risked it all to become a builder and created Hallberg Homes Inc. His career in the building industry spanned 5 decades. From 1951 through 1985 he built over 3,000 units of housing, developed lots and built light commercial. Ray earned many awards for his developments, was a past president of the Home Builders Association of Portland, was NAHB National Vice President in 1969, and is in the Portland HBA's Hall of Fame. Ray’s experience with affordable housing taught him that private enterprise and a free market could solve most of society’s problems, including housing. His advocacy for private housing for low-income families never waned; his ideas gained notice and were translated into successful federal housing policies. Ray’s real passion was fishing. Any fishing would do, but he was known for his skill at fly-fishing for salmon in Alaska. He had hunting dogs for his forays into fields and cold lakes in search of upland game birds and ducks. Alice was an accomplished hunter and fly-fisher and accompanied him on his worldwide fishing and hunting trips. Ray was a good father to three children, Dick, Dianne and Beverly. His love and wisdom were a blessing and a great gift – not just for his family, but for everyone who knew him. Ray was a big man and had a big life. For 100 years he lived it with optimism and courage, by taking risks and enjoying success well-earned. Ray is survived by his children Richard Hallberg (Linda), Dianne Cassidy (Jim), and Beverly Hallberg (Floyd Skloot); his grandchildren Marie Leslie (John), Oliver Hallberg (Becky), Megan Cassidy (Johnny Sellers), and Michael Cassidy; and 4 great-grandchildren.