Obituary of Christopher Bishop

Christopher Bishop was a direct descendent of Oregon Trail Pioneer Joseph Henkel, who in 1853 led his large family’s wagon train from Iowa and settled in Philomath, Oregon. Chris’ parents George and Corinne Thompson Bishop were living in Chicago when he was born, June 9, 1942. Due to WWII, they soon returned to Portland where his father went to work at the Kaiser Ship Yards on Swan Island. After the war, his father became a music professor at Lewis & Clark College and the family moved to West Slope in the Beaverton area. Chris was the middle child of three boys.   

He attended Raleigh Elementary School and Beaverton High School where he graduated in 1960.  He was a star football player and during his free time was a Golden Gloves Boxer, an avid downhill skier and mountain climber. 

 He attended Lewis and Clark College, graduating in 1964 with a BS in History and Political Science. He played two years of college football, belonged to Theta Chi Fraternity, sang base with the Madrigal Singing Group, and spent a semester as an exchange student in Peru.  

 In August of 1964 he married Julianne Raz whom he met on a ski trip while in high school and had dated the prior four years. He began studying law at Northwestern School of Law that fall, but studies were put on hold when he was drafted into the US Army the next year.  His army training was completed at Ft. Ord, California; Ft. Reilly, Kansas; and, Officer’s Candidate School at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. After receiving his commission, he was sent to Germany and assigned to the 3rd Squadron of 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment guarding the Czechoslovakian border. While living in Germany, he and Julie welcomed their first daughter, Sarah. He returned to the United States in 1969 and finished his Doctorate in Jurist Prudence from University of Oregon Law School graduating in 1972. That year, they welcomed their second daughter, Amy. Chris practiced law in SW Portland for 28 years.   

He and Julie loved to travel the world; they made countless trips to Europe and took many cruises. He raced his road bike all over the state. While not riding, he was often tinkering with his bikes. He was a fan of the Oregon Ducks and the Portland Trailblazers, but notoriously changed the channel when they were losing, only to find out later that they had won.  

Chris had a way with words. He had a unique ability to string multiple profanities together like a finely woven tapestry. He loved history and politics and could debate anything with ease. He was a life-long scholar and well-read on a variety of subjects. He was a great writer and “edited” (wink-wink) many of his daughters’ school essays.  

His love for music started as a child and lasted a lifetime. He sang in the Hillsdale Community Church Choir in the 80’s and 90’s.  He was a member of the barbershop group, Rose City Timberliners, for the next 20 years. He was always humming something. Some of his daughters’ fondest childhood memories include road trips when they would all sing the Beatles or Peter, Paul & Mary songs. 

He is also remembered by many for his amazing rendition of Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky” and his signature “Camel Walk.” He never shied away from the dance floor, a cold beer or a good movie.  He was easy going, open-minded, hilarious, adventurous, competitive, spontaneous and irreverent. He was the toughest guy around, except when it came to spiders. He hated spiders. 

Most importantly, he was a loving and very present father and grandfather. He is greatly missed. 

He died April 30, 2021, at the age of 78 of complications following a stroke.  He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Julianne Bishop; two daughters Sarah Levison and Amy Northrop; two son-in-laws Scott Levison and Daniel Northrop; four grandsons Zachary and Reilly Levison, Luke and Isaac Northrop; two granddaughters Erika Hernandez and Michalyn Levison; and, one great-grandson Miguel Hernandez. 

There is no public service planned. Immediate family will gather on Thanksgiving and honor him by singing, laughing, drinking, overeating and napping. We will spread his ashes by the family beach house, in Lincoln City. In lieu of flowers, please keep your money and have bottom-shelf whiskey or a dark beer and Cheez-Its in his honor.