Murlan Ralph Kaufman

Murlan was foremost a family man, born into the loving home of Ralph and Solvieg Kaufman on July 14, 1937. He grew up in Portland with an inquisitive mind. He claimed that as a young boy to have taken apart a clock on the kitchen floor just to see what made it tick. Being curious, he was equally industrious and practical. He managed to buy his own car before he was even old enough to drive, by mowing lawns, delivering papers and repairing toasters and radios for his surrounding neighbors. Oh, how he loved cars. Murlan was always the “go to” guy if anything needed fixing or repairing. Problem solving was his forte, and nothing made him happier. It is no wonder he was destined to become an engineer.

Murlan graduated from Frankin High and OSU where he made many life-long friends. While in college, he met and married Dana Lukens and together they raised 3 children. Murlan would make time for weekly dinners with his and Dana’s parents, even while earning his master’s degree. Being community minded and a bicyclist himself, he spearheaded and engineered the building of a bike path to his kid’s elementary school. As a family man, he once sold his beloved Model A to finish a basement to make way for a sweet teen hang out complete with ping pong table and a party space for him to gather with his friends. Murlan nurtured long lasting friendships. Whether it was staying in touch with old schoolmates or belonging to a 50-year long bridge club, Murlan also graciously welcomed three foreign exchange students and even an Indian Swami philosophy professor into his home.

As Murlan embraced his busy life, he still found time for extended family vacations on Lake Skaha in Canada. There he could be seen gliding across the water in a home-made wooden boat that he, his brother Rich, and his father had constructed by hand. All this he managed to do while working at Tektronix on projects like, Logic analyzers, Pulse generators or LED display touch panels and many more too numerous to mention. As well, Murlan was once a member of the US Dept. of Commerce Advisory Committee. There he ensured that technologies could be used safely worldwide and so as not to become a security threat. It was also during that time he dismissed a lucrative offer to work in the defense industry. He retired from Tek after 40 years of service.

In 1989, Murlan married Ginny Bistodeau and they became soulmates for 35 years. Not only did they love to hike, bike, boat, play cards, and travel together, they both were avid community volunteers and members of First Presbyterian Church. Murlan served there as the lead audiovisual tech and also volunteered countless hours at Menucha Retreat.

Murlan’s quiet manner endeared him to everyone who knew him. “Gentleman” was the adjective that was most used to describe this extraordinary man.  Family and friends were the focus of his life. He inspired all of us to live our best lives and his good deeds will continue to have a positive ripple effect.  Those of us lucky enough to have known this “Special K” have been blessed beyond measure. 

Murlan is survived by his wife, Ginny Bistodeau; his children, Jenny Lindsey, Marcy Kaufman, and Dan Kaufman; Ginny's children, Jim Bistodeau, Greg Bistodeau, and Nancee Pangares; their blended family of 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; as well as his younger brother, Richard Kaufman.

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A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on March 20, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, 1200 SW Alder Street, Portland. The service will be live-streamed. In lieu of flowers, please honor Murlan’s life with a donation to the Friends of Menucha Foundation, PO Box 8, Corbett, OR 97019.

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