Kwaku Mensah

Kwaku Mensah, our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, elder and visionary innovator, passed away surrounded by love and family after a valiant fight with prostate cancer. His spirit will forever burn bright in our hearts and in our community.

Kwaku was born in Sunyani Ghana, West Africa where he was recognized for his supernatural intelligence. In 1955 he received an engineering scholarship to Oregon State University. There, he met and married Gloria Knaupp, in one of Oregon's first interracial marriages.

When their permanent relocation to Ghana was interrupted by political unrest, the couple returned to Oregon, where Kwaku began a 25 year career as a metallurgist at Tektronix in Beaverton.

Kwaku's intense curiosity and his innovative and visionary spirit led him to pursue a multitude of interests including, yoga, spirituality, nutrition, fishing, camping, gardening, business ventures in Asia and Africa, metallurgical consulting, Trail Blazers basketball, fostering Portland's Ghanaian community, and his beloved grandchildren.

Kwaku's life represents the ultimate example of resiliency and triumph in the face of insurmountable obstacles. With his last breath, he remained a committed and passionate advocate for the concepts of freedom and emancipation of all African countries; particularly his beloved Ghana.

Kwaku is survived by his children, Lisa Mensah (Barry Ford), David Mensah (Chris Moore), Sarah Mensah (Eddie Martinez); his grandchildren, Rebecca and Andrew Ford and Davis Wohlford; his extended family includes adopted children, Samrith Tuy (Sopath) and Samnang Yun (Sampohas); and grandchildren, Nathan and Briana Tuy; sisters, Susanna Tabiri, Alice Tabiri, Christia Ofei, Comfort Tabiri, Rebecca Tabiri and Regina Agyabeng.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, October 27, 2018, at the Old Church in Portland.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kwaku Mensah, please visit our floral store.