Rep. Bob Ackerman, D-Eugene, has always been dedicated to public service.
But at 68, there is a new opportunity calling.
“Mt. Bachelor. When you’re 70, they give you a free day pass,” Ackerman said. Ackerman will turn 70 two and a half months after the next legislative session begins in January 2007.
“I had to ask myself, would I rather be skiing free at Mt. Bachelor or sitting on the House floor?” Ackerman said. “I figured ‘well, maybe I’d rather be skiing.’”
After three terms representing District 13 in the Oregon House of Representatives, Ackerman has decided not to run for another term.
“Me and my wife talk it over after every term,” Ackerman said. “We felt our time would be more valuable if we spent it together in these years rather than in the Legislature.”
Ackerman said the time commitment of being a state representative finally caught up with him. Though he still has commitments on interim committees, not having to campaign has been a relief.
“I would have to knock on doors at least two days a week,” Ackerman said. “I enjoy it as part of the process, but campaigning took up three-fourths of my time.”
Ackerman graduated from the University in 1958 and from the University School of Law in 1963. He worked his way through school as a meat cutter at Safeway, both in Oregon and in his childhood home in Menlo Park, Calif.
Ackerman has been involved in public service since he joined the Lane Community College Board of Education in 1965, and he served on the Springfield City Council from 1967-69 He decided to run for the State House of Representatives in 2000 after then-District 13 representative and current Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy had to leave because of term limits.
“I thought carrying on in politics at a different level would be a challenge,” Ackerman said. “I had the time. I had the experience. So why not do it?”
During his time in the house, Ackerman developed a reputation as a keen-eyed politician who was not afraid to reach out to Republicans to compromise, colleagues say.
“He never asks what political affiliation someone is,” said Chris Matson, Ackerman’s former campaign manager and legislative assistant. “I’ve seen Republicans come into his office and hammer out a compromise on an issue that works for both sides.”
Ackerman said he tried to keep politics out of the process while working in Salem.
“I like problem solving; I don’t like the partisanship,” Ackerman said. “As a lawyer, I’m used to negotiation.”
Ackerman’s hard work to avoid partisanship was rewarded this last session when Speaker of the House Karen Minnis, R-Wood Village, appointed Ackerman chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil Law, a rare appointment for a member of a minority party.
“I thought it was a compliment in a way, coming from my adversary,” Ackerman said.
Ackerman has also been praised for his approach to the job.
“He’s smart and serious, and he pays attention to the details,” former State Senator Tony Corcoran said. “He’s good on budget issues.”
Pat Reilly, House District 13 chair for the Democratic Party of Lane County, agrees.
While Ackerman was working on the Lane Community College Board, “He knew that budget better than the president of the college,” Reilly said.
While in the House Ackerman fought to stabilize public education funding, an issue he sees as important because of the benefits education provides to the community.
“Education is an investment in our future,” Ackerman said. “It’s a vital economic tool to have a functioning education system.”
Ackerman said the budget cuts and rising tuition at public institutions are having a real effect on the community.
“I think we are creating de facto private institutions,” Ackerman said. “Middle-income and lower-income people are being priced out of education. That really bothers me.”
Those who work with Ackerman have been impressed by the way he treats the people around him, despite the workload and job stress.
“He’s been the best boss I ever worked for,” Matson said. “He treats everyone like an equal partner. That’s a rarity in any profession.”

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