James Greenman Obituary

James Hale Greenman, born in Medford, Oregon, on October 6, 1938, to parents Harriette Campbell Greenman and Everette Hale Greenman, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Jim grew up on farms and ranches where three generations of his extended family lived and worked in both Beaverton and Alfalfa, Oregon. Growing up in a rural agricultural setting sparked his lifelong passion for acquiring versatile skills, ranging from animal husbandry to mechanics, carpentry, and everything in between.

After graduating from Bend High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving honorably for four years before returning to Central Oregon. He attended Oregon State University and Portland State University, where he studied Civil Engineering. Married August 30, 1969, to Joan Eslinger, they built a family life around their two sons in rural Clackamas County and enjoyed 56 years of loving and happy marriage.

In 1973, Jim became a licensed professional engineer, launching a career in the engineering profession that spanned more than fifty years. In 1974, Jim and two other business partners purchased the engineering and land surveying firm Haner, Ross & Sporseen, Inc. He owned and operated the company after the passing of his partners until his retirement at age 85 in 2024. Throughout his long career providing engineering and land surveying services to his clients, he was active with the Oregon State Board of Engineering Examiners (OSBEELS) and Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon (PLSO).

Connecting with the experiences of his youth, Jim was most in his element when presented with a challenging problem to solve. Whether designing the renovation of a grain elevator for a large public port or volunteering to construct a new playground structure at his son's parochial school, Jim took equal delight in any opportunity to deploy his adaptable skillset to complete a job with the highest level of professionalism and quality of workmanship. He was direct, demanding of himself and of others' best efforts, and most of all consistent. He was also open, honest, jovial, and a fan of classic country and bluegrass music.

On the rare occasions when he was not working or tinkering with a project, he enjoyed skiing, bow hunting, and fishing, especially if it involved travel to a wild and remote area with any member of his family. He was also an avid racquetball player, using the sport to maintain a high level of physical fitness.

He is survived by his wife Joan, sons Tom and Joe, and daughter-in-law Gail Greenman, siblings Judd Greenman and wife Elizabeth, Nancy Zemirah, and Sara Greenman Charnasky, and was the loving "Papa" to granddaughters Gabrielle and Ava Greenman.

A celebration of life reception will be on March 13 at 11:30 at the Ale & Cider House in West Linn, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on behalf of Jim Greenman to Tunnels to Towers, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, or a favorite charity. A private family service will be held to inter Jim.