Eugene – Steven Jeffery (Jeff) Foreman, 72, passed away in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, June 8.

Jeff was born on May 2, 1952 in Salem, Oregon to Hazel and Neil Foreman. The family later moved to Eugene in 1958. He attended Willamette High School, graduating in 1970. At Willamette, Jeff was president of the National Honor Society, starting forward on the varsity basketball team and a high jumper on the varsity track team. Jeff was also an avid thespian starring in lead roles in several Willamette High School plays.

Right after high school, Jeff joined the U.S. Army and served as an infantry sergeant in Germany. Following the service, he enrolled at the University of Oregon and received a Bachelor of Science in journalism with emphasis in public relations.

Following graduation from the UO, Jeff was hired as a reporter and darkroom technician at the Siuslaw News, and then worked for several weekly newspapers in Oregon, including the Polk County Itemizer-Observer, Independence Sun-Enterprise, Cottage Grove Sentinel, Capital Press and The Springfield News.

In 1982, Jeff married Barbara Bierly of Harrisburg in Eugene, Oregon and the couple had two children, Dylan and Duncan Foreman.

In 1984, Jeff transitioned into public relations, working for the Lane Education Service District as Information/Communications Manager and later Marketing and District Relations Manager. In 2000, Jeff was hired in media relations for the Oregon Department of Forestry, where he worked until his retirement.

Jeff had a passion for sailing and owned several sailboats, including the Pura Vida, and primarily sailed the waters of Fern Ridge Reservoir, but also in the San Juan Islands. He enjoyed telling the story of hiring on as first mate on the sailboat for a hair-raising trip from Reedsport, Oregon to San Francisco, California, surviving an intense storm with pounding rain, blustering wind and 30-foot swells. By the time the pair had reached the approach to the Golden Gate Bridge, they were greeted by a warm sun, calm waters and frolicking dolphins.

An avid fisherman inspired by his Dad, Jeff and his family hit the rivers and lakes of Oregon on opening day of fishing season every year. Jeff and Barb loved to travel and toured many of this country’s national parks, camping and hiking along the way. The couple also enjoyed outdoor concerts and blues fests on a regular basis and sailed on a “Blues Cruise” from Fort Lauderdale to New Orleans to Cozumel, Mexico and back.

A longtime season ticket holder to University of Oregon “Fighting Duck” football and basketball, Jeff was among the 4,000 or so hardy “quacker backers” who ventured to Shreveport, Louisiana to witness to the first Duck bowl game in 26 years. Jeff and Barb also had season tickets to the Portland Trailblazers for a few years.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Barbara, and children, Dylan (Christy) and Duncan Foreman, grandchildren Hudson, Hunter, Weston and Nora, sister and brother-in-law Kathy and Stan Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial honoring Jeff’s life and times is scheduled for Wednesday, July 3 from 3-6 p.m. at Mac’s at the Vet’s, 1626 Willamette Street in Eugene.

Memorial Keepers (1)

Steven "Jeff" Jeffery Foreman