Theodore Leo Havlicek Jr.

Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Dr. Theodore L. Havlicek, Sr. and Agnes L. (Citta) Havlicek. TLH, Sr, as a Physician/Surgeon moved his family to multiple locations in Nebraska and South Dakota for his practice. He then moved to Colorado to work with the VA, their final move was to Portland where he worked with Tuberculosis patients at the VA Hospital. His father’s plan was always to return and open a pri-vate practice in Creighton Nebraska, near his home town of Verdigre, but was unable to realize his dream because of the Depression. The family settled permanently in Portland on NE 48th Ave.

Ted’s parents purchased an 80 acre homestead in Corbett which was affectionately called “The Farm” or “Cabin” where much family time was spent relaxing away from the city. His father died suddenly on the property and it remained in our family until very recently.

Ted Graduated from Grant High School, where he met his wife to be Joanne, when she, as the story is told, mistakenly slapped him across the face at a dance after the “gentleman” standing in front of him made what she felt was an inappropriate advance and then ducked when she turned and slapped! Needless to say, Ted was shocked, Joanne was mortified...and the rest is our history.

Mid Life

Ted Graduated from University of Oregon, Music major, Mathematics minor.

After his deployment in the Korean Conflict in the transportation corps and subsequent honorable discharge, Ted joined the Army Reserve and retired after 32 years of military service.

Ted returned to University of Oregon with his wife, Joanne and two young children and earned a Master of Art in Teaching, Instrumental Music Specialty.

He enjoyed a 35 year career as a teacher of Instrumental Music, then Math and Mechanical Drawing, first in Marion, Oregon, then for the remainder of his career at Milwaukie High School.

As Instrumental Music Director at Milwaukie High, Ted directed all bands and orchestras during both the regular school year and summer school. Ted designed all the half time shows for the football season, ran the Pep Band for basketball season, and ran the Stage Band throughout the school year (assembling and extending the book of arrangements, some composed by himself), conducted the orchestra for the annual high school musicals, as well as managing the many trips of the summer Band. Ted was well respected by his stu-dents, they called him “coach”. As his children, we often encounter past students who remember him fondly as a good and dedicated teacher and mentor.

Dad was always interested in Building, Constructing and Designing. He learned his craft from Master Builder Dick Whitney, who took him under his wing and taught him everything from construction to plumbing to electrical. Over the years he purchased and remodeled several homes, a 5-6 unit apartment building in SE Portland, designed and built a Duplex in Milwaukie (which he owned until his passing). We often joked about all of the stuff he collected (wood, screws, old nails, random toilets and sinks). The man actually took apart a friend’s beach house, board by board, window by window, took it a mile down the road where he designed and built our Tolovana Beach Cabin just south of Cannon Beach, which we enjoyed for years.

Much to the dismay of most of his children, we all learned to hang, mud and tape drywall, run electrical wire, seat a toilet, insulate a room, roof a house, lay vapor barrier in a crawlspace , change a tire, check/fill the water in the radiator or oil in the engine, all because “it just might come in handy down the road…”

Ted was a lover of 1940’s Big Band Music. He started as a young man playing as a member of the Jo Dardis Orchestra, then member and band leader of the Sammy Amato Orchestra and eventually the Ted Lee Orchestra. He would play “dance jobs” most weekends and holidays.

Dad was always a teacher, in or out of the classroom. He had a special place in his heart for his eight grandchildren and spent many hours helping, guiding and teaching life skills. Most of us have sto-ries, if asked, of some funny trick he played on us during our time working for him. Like the time he sent Mary to the hardware store for a “stud stretcher” because he measured wrong...the laughter at the store was not funny to her and he certainly heard about it when she returned. Or the time he sent Carol to Bernard’s Garage with the car and said to tell them “the knockers were rocking”, according to Carol they looked at each other and just smiled and said, “Ok”.

Ted was an advocate for his community and often would write letters to the editor of the Milwaukie Review and The Oregonian.

One situation landed him on the front page of the Milwaukie Review in November 1975. He was frustrated that a city engineer claimed there were no rocks on the shoulder of River Rd where pedestrians were supposed to walk. He subsequently dropped a 100 lb box of rocks picked up from the side of the road on the City Manager’s office doorstep with a letter explaining the situation. He won that argument and the situation was corrected. Although Dad’s approach was not always popular, he usually had a good point and changes were made.

The Golden Years

Although retired, Ted spent his latter years busy traveling with his 2nd wife Margaret. They loved to cruise and spent time between their homes in Vancouver, WA, Verdigre, Nebraska (where he owned several homes and rentals), and Kissimmee, Florida. They would often spend weekends with Margaret singing in the band while Dad was leading and playing the Sax.

He was always repairing, maintaining or remodeling his many rental properties.

In 2014 Margaret passed away after suffering several debilitating strokes during which time dad was dedicated in his care for her.

A few years after Margaret’s passing , Dad met Anita EnEarl in Verdigre, Nebraska. They married and enjoyed several years of travel, dance and cruising. Anita currently plans to reside in their home in Verdigre, Nebraska.

All who were considered friends or family were subjected to his in-explicable need to “over wrap” a gift—Typically with layer upon layer of newspaper—placed in box after box. Some thought this hilarious and dad enjoyed watching the process to the end prize.

Dad will be remembered for his generosity, his love of travel and tenacity for his beliefs.

A rosary service for Theodore will be held Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Birgitta Catholic Church, 11820 NW St. Helens Rd., Portland, OR 97231. A funeral mass will follow at 10:30 AM. A committal service will occur Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 12:30 PM at Mt.Calvary Catholic Church, 333 SW Skyline Blvd., Portland, OR 97221.