Oregon Public Broadcasting

Former Portland Commissioner Dick Bogle has died. He was 79 years old.

As April Baer reports, Bogle’s life spanned a wide range of public service and interests.

A former police officer and 5th generation Oregonian, Bogle blazed a trail as one of the state’s first African-American TV personalities.

A few years later, he moved on to politics, becoming only the second black man to serve on Portland City Council.

Mike Lindberg served alongside Bogle on Council. He says Bogle’s police experience was essential to sorting through the public safety issues that plagued city politics – then as now.

Lindberg also says he  was deeply impressed by how Bogle dealt with the prejudice that was part of being a ground-breaker.

Mike Lindberg “It was shocking to me, the kind of letters that would come into their office that were extremely racist. Most of it never came out publicly.”

But Lindberg said Bogle dealt respectfully with everyone he met.

In later years, Bogle worked on cold cases for the Portland Police, and hosted a weekly jazz radio show on KMHD.

His wife Nola said Bogle’s beloved jazz was playing in the room when he died. Memorial arrangements are pending.

April Baer, OPB News.