Stephen Person, University of Oregon alum and former publisher for the Oregon Voice, passed away Monday at a Portland hospital after an incident involving a drunk driver.
“Stephen could relate to anybody,” said Stephanie Strahan, a UO grad and a friend of Person’s. “Besides from so many people knowing him, everybody loved him. He knew everyone because he got along with everybody.”
Person was not only an organ donor who saved five lives with his passing but was also a very involved student while attending the UO. While in school, he was best known as the publisher for the Oregon Voice, a student-run magazine that specializes in essays, photography and stories its staff find culturally stimulating. He had a goal of being a writer and managed a staff of 30 writers, photographers, illustrators and artists. He then continued his journalism career and went from being an intern to collaborator at Portland Monthly Magazine.
“He is probably the friendliest person I have ever met, he always had a goal to talk to at least two people he didn’t know every day,” Strahan said. “Whenever you were out with him you couldn’t go 10 feet without stopping because he seemed to know everyone. He was so fun to be around, but you never really got where you needed to go.”
Along with his great and friendly attitude, Person also made a memorable movement when pitching the idea to start the Rent-a-Pooch fundraiser. The event was put on in correlation with Greenhill Humane Society — college students got a chance to rent a dog on campus to take a break from their busy academic and extracurricular schedules as well as supporting a notable cause.
Person was interested not only in journalism but many things, including rock concerts, for one. Because of his many interests, a variety of people attended his funeral service on Friday, May 31.
“I worked with him during a film festival. He was a huge help because he had contacts for everybody and he put on an incredibly artistic show,” Strahan said, reflecting on past memories with Person. “He had an inspiration that he used live rats which was totally against the rules. Which, that’s how Stephen was, he definitely didn’t mind bending the rules and everything he did turned out amazing.”
Person passed away after his vehicle was hit by Nathan William Wisbeck, 26. Person died two days after the accident due to related injuries. Wisbeck blew through a stop sign the night of May 25 and collided with the 2002 Ford Windstar van holding Person and his friend, Sarah Grace Anderson, 28. About one mile farther, a truck crashed into the van’s passenger side where Person was sitting and caused the van to roll over, crashing into a nearby building. Anderson was driving the van and has suffered serious injuries but is expected to make a full recovery.
Wisbeck is now faced with multiple counts of second-degree assault, felony, driving under the influence of intoxicants, hit-and-run and reckless driving. Police involved in the accident told KOIN news that Wisbeck could face further charges after his upcoming court date on June 5.