Posted August 15, 2016
PORTLAND, Ore. – Broughton Hayward “Brot” Bishop, former chairman and CEO of his family business, Pendleton Woolen Mills, died from Parkinson’s disease at his home here on August 7, 2016. He was born February 17, 1927 in Portland, to Clarence M. and Harriet Broughton Bishop.
After attending Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, where he later received an honorary doctorate, Bishop joined the family business full time in 1951. He was proud to continue the tradition established by his great grandfather, Thomas Kay, who came to Oregon in 1863 to pioneer the local woolen mill industry.
Bishop took enormous pleasure from his work and his co-workers. He especially appreciated the many long-term employees who contributed so much to Pendleton’s success.
“Dad very much enjoyed the friendships that he developed through his participation in the American Textile Manufacturer’s Institute (ATMI) and Northern Textile Association (NTA),” his son John Bishop, Pendleton chairman, told eTC. “Despite having operations located in states with strong export orientations, he was an effective and enthusiastic advocate for the trade positions of the textile industry.”
Brot Bishop grew up in Northwest Portland with his brother Mort (C. M. Bishop, Jr.), where he spent happy times playing sports, attending the Hillside School and developing many lifelong friendships. The highlights of his summers were the times spent in the Blue Mountains outside Dayton, Wash., with his Broughton family cousins and other friends.
Obituary
Bishop led his family business, Pendleton Woolen Mills
After a year at Lincoln High School, Bishop attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., graduating in 1945. Bishop joined the Marine Corps on his 18th birthday. Following his discharge from the Marines, he enrolled at Yale University and graduated in 1950 with Tau Beta Phi honors in industrial administration.
Bishop valued the importance of the greater community. He coached youth football and served on many boards, including his local water board, ATMI, U.S. Bank, Phillips Academy Andover, Pacific International Livestock Exposition, Portland Junior Symphony, Riverview Cemetery, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, The Museum at Warm Springs and the Mission Mill Museum and was active in the Republican Party.
While business was a major focus of Bishop’s life, his family was of the most importance. He married Mary Voss on February 8, 1956, after a lively and persistent courtship that began with a date skiing on Mt. Hood. Their marriage soon produced five children in seven years.
Family life was active and adventure filled, centering on team sports, skiing, hiking and fishing. Bishop took great pride in meeting the formidable challenge of getting his large and slightly unruly family out of bed and into line before the Mt. Bachelor ski lifts started. He similarly enjoyed taking his children fishing on the Deschutes, which for the younger ones occasionally entailed floating behind him with a tight grip on his vest.
Bishop will be fondly remembered for his generous spirit, kindness and humility as well as his great attention for detail. He had a wonderful wry sense of humor that often emerged during difficult times to bolster those around him. And, finally, he will be remembered for his perseverance which helped him weather the difficult last few years with astonishing good grace
Brot is survived by Mary, his wife of 60 years, their children John (Suzanne), Charlie (Meg), Broughton Jr. (Kelley), Harriet Bakken (Jon) and Peter (Susan), and 14 grandchildren.
Services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you make a contribution to one of the wonderful organizations supporting the Columbia River Gorge, a place that held a special place in his heart.
Source: the Bishop family
