IN MEMORIAM:

Theodore H. (Ted) Adams, Jr.

Ted is survived by his brothers Andy and Floyd, his sons Kris and Daryl, daughter Jana Ludwig, and granddaughters Shanna-Lee, Tiffany and Melina. He was predeceased by granddaughter Destiny.

Ted served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. He lived in the Portland area most of his life and worked for the Oregonian, Alpenrose Dairy, plus a local Realtor for over 30 years, and as a massage therapist for over 10 years and a past president of the Oregon Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA-OR). Ted was an active AMTA member for 14 years.

Ted was an avid basketball fan and played actively into his mid forties. He taught dance class for many years. Ted loved to tell jokes, was always upbeat and positive. He believed that happiness was a choice and he chose to be happy.

He will be missed by many. Ted had donated his body to OHSU and requests anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution can do so to the “Anatomical Research Fund, OHSU”.

A memorial service will be held Saturday April 26 at 10:00am at the Unity Church 4525 SE Stark, Portland 97215.

A Eulogy to Ted Adams
"To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable and wealthy, not rich, to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never, in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden, and unconscious, grow up through the common."

                                         My Symphony, William Henry Channing

When I think of Ted Adams this poem comes to mind. Although he was not a simple man, he led a simple life. Ted was a tall man so he always set his table high. This too, is the example he set for all of us in the massage community. If you were in his presence you were going to rise to the occasion.

Ted became licensed as a massage therapist in Oregon in December 1993 and joined American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA, OBMT, LMT) in August 1994. I first met Ted when he volunteered to work with me at the 1994 Oregon State Fair, AMTA-OR Chapter massage booth. It was not long before his take charge attitudes lead him to be responsible for this booth for several years. In his later years he took pleasure in helping others run the booth.

His passion for massage led him to become the Oregon Chapter President from June 1998 to May 2000. He was a bottom line guy, outspoken and results oriented. In 2000 and 2006 he was awarded the AMTA-OR Chapter Meritorious Award and was also Oregon LMT of the year for 2002.

Following his presidency Ted served the Oregon chapter as nominating committee chair, communications chair, and as an Oregon delegate to the national association.

He was always willing to share the wealth of chair massage opportunities and encouraged LMT’s to advance and grow.

Ted, thanks for leading the way. You are a hard act to follow and your absence will be felt by the massage community.  We love you.

Glenath Moyle, LMT

I am very sad to hear of our friend! I had the privilege to work with Ted for the last 8 years with AMTA events. Just finishing my term as AMTA-OR President, Ted served not only as a chapter volunteer, but he also was a very close mentor to me. I could call Ted to ask questions and for advice and Ted would give me just that. Never making a big deal out of helping me with what he had learned. I will always remember my friend Ted. I hope to pass on what he has taught me as a Therapist and a person. Ted always said one thing that I will say to you "Keep Smiling"

John Combe

It was several years ago, when I was just starting out with massage, and I was feeling discouraged about being a massage therapist so I called Ted (I think I just picked his name out of the newsletter), I did not know him, but I just asked him whether he would have some time to meet with me. And he graciously agreed to meet and spent several hours listening to me and sharing his experiences of being a massage therapist. He was a great help to me when I was feeling alone and discouraged just starting out as massage therapist.

Johannes Venghaus

I first met Ted Adams at an event where he virtually sparkled in a dashing tux, and he was doing one of the things I believe he did best and loved most (besides massage): ballroom dancing. A tall man with silver hair, I was informed he was the President of the Oregon Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association; pretty impressive, on several levels, to someone not yet fully integrated into the world of massage in Oregon. At the time I was unaware of how integral he was to become in my professional life, and how much I would come to value his personal friendship.

Like Jerry West was used as the model for the logo of the National Basketball Association (attempting to tie in to Ted’s love of basketball here), Ted is the model of the perfect AMTA-Oregon Volunteer. He was selfless, efficient, enthusiastic, reliable, and was willing to do whatever it took to get something accomplished.

I spent many hours with Ted at the Oregon State Fair chair massage booth. I worked with Ted during several Massage Days at the Oregon State Capitol. I watched him work and play at numerous AMTA National Conventions. I had many a chuckle from his numerous funny emails. I attended many AMTA-Oregon Board of Directors meetings with him. There’s much more I could say here…..Mostly I will miss Ted Adams. Although I cannot be in attendance at his funeral, I will be observing 15 minutes of quiet reflection at 10am Saturday, April 26, 2008.

Respectfully,
Michael Dukart

Here is a picture of Ted
(the tall guy) at the April 2007 Oregon Dental Conference. We all worked together doing chair massage for the attendees at the Oregon Convention Center. Ted was soft spoken, always reliable and humble. Easy guy to work with and to be around, simply easy-going. We are all shocked that, in the blink of an eye, he is gone. Left to Right: Judy, Jacob, Pamlin, Cindy, Sandy, Ted

You are not only here to learn---you are here to live.
You are not here to get the best--you are here to give the best.
You are not here to get your way--you are here to find your way.
Like the cocoon that's waiting to set the butterfly free,
you are on the verge to becoming something you've never been.
It's time to wake up and and realize the unique gift that only YOU possess.

                                                       Chris Michaels, Your Souls Assignment     

Brandi Walton

Hello AMTA-OR,
I am not an AMTA member but a LMT friend of Ted's. I felt I should have known something was wrong when last week someone called me for a male Licensed Massage Therapist, and his phone was disconnected. I thought... I hope nothing is wrong, as being his friend, I knew he would put on a happy face even when not feeling well. I think the last I spoke to him he was going in for a surgery. If I can put something on your board I would like to as I just found out today he had passed.

"A beautiful mentor, A beautiful friend. I would call Ted for advice and like everyone he would graciously give me time. Worked with him many times. We had long chats that I will cherish and always remember. We had meetings and would have Ted head them up with his board of ideas - how to make things better in our work environment, and he was so level headed and full of great things to say, he made me love my job more. I will always miss him very much. His jokes and sense of humor, I will take his words with me where ever I go."

Lori Williamson