PORTLAND, OR --Vic Atiyeh, 91, Oregon’s 32nd governor and second generation executive of Atiyeh Bros., died July 20, 2014 at Portland’s Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Cause of death was renal failure
He was surrounded by many family members, including his wife Dolores Atiyeh, son Tom Atiyeh, daughter-in-law Leslie Atiyeh, daughter Suzanne Atiyeh and his five grandchildren. Also present were the former governor’s brother Ed Atiyeh, his wife Karen, as well as a nephew and nieces.
Gov. Atiyeh celebrated his 91st birthday on February 20 of and 70thwedding anniversary in July. He served as Oregon’s governor from 1979 to 1987.
Governor Atiyeh served two terms as governor. After leaving office in 1987 he led an active life as an international trade consultant, going to work at his downtown Portland office daily.
It was only within the last few months that he closed this office. He was generally in good health, but he did suffer a mild heart attack on August 30, 2005 followed by quadruple bypass surgery
“Governor Atiyeh was first a gentleman, then a keen businessman and finally a statesman for Oregon” said Leslie Atiyeh, president of Atiyeh International, Ltd.
“He approached the responsibility of Oregon Governor like he was the chief executive officer of the state’s largest enterprise,” said Atiyeh’s former chief of staff Gerry Thompson. “Governor Atiyeh was an involved leader, but one who gave agency heads a lot of latitude to come up with creative solutions to difficult problems. He was quick to give credit to others, even when he deserved it himself.”
Atiyeh was governor during some of the worst economic times for Oregon since the Depression. He called a record number of special legislative sessions, most to deal with budget and revenue issues.
Often viewed as the political underdog, Atiyeh served 28 years in elective positions, winning 19 of 20 elections. As a Republican in the Oregon House and Senate from 1959 to 1979 he was always in the minority party. As governor for eight years he worked with Democratic majorities in both houses.
A major emphasis for Gov. Atiyeh was economic development, especially international trade. He was dubbed “Trader Vic” for his many trade missions seeking investments in Oregon from international companies. He led a total of 20 international business trade missions, mostly to the Far East and Middle East.
His son Tom participated in the 1984 trade mission to the People’s Republic of China and to the Middle East including a visit to the Atiyeh home village of Amar el Husn in Syria. During his time in office Oregon gained significant investments from companies such as NEC, Fujitsu America, Seiko Epson and others.
Syrian relatives have reported the news of Governor Atiyeh is extensively reported in the Lebanese news. In addition, the family in Amar el Husn held a two-day celebration of life in honor of their most successful son, inviting the whole village. Governor Atiyeh’s first cousins were Fred and Phil Atiyeh, past presidents of Oriental Rug Importers Association in New York.
Atiyeh Bros. is a full service retailer. Atiyeh International, Ltd. is Tom and Leslie Atiyeh's import/wholesale business.
Aziz Atiyeh emigrated to America from Amar El-Husn, Ottoman Syria in 1897 at the age of 17. To finance his trip and provide him with enough capital to start a business, his family sold a substantial herd of Arabian horses. Initially Aziz worked in Pennsylvania as a supplier, buying Oriental rugs and linens from New York importers and reselling them to peddlers.
By 1900, Aziz decided to move West and came to Portland because it was said to be home to many former Northeasterners with a “taste for fine rugs.”
History of Atiyeh Bros.
A. Atiyeh opened its doors for business in downtown Portland on Washington Street in 1900, and Aziz soon found the market he had anticipated. Two years later, he sent for his younger brother George and the business became A. Atiyeh & Bro. Their display of Persian rugs won a Gold Medal at the City’s Lewis and Clark Exposition in 1905. At the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition in 1909, Atiyeh’s won another triumph, a Grand Prize over the competitors. They were also awarded the Grand Prize for finest exhibit of Oriental rugs at the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco and the Panama-California Exposition in 1916. These awards are on display in the current Showroom.
While George remained with the store in Portland, Aziz moved to New York City in the 1920’s to establish a wholesale rug importing operation, traveling to Kerman, Persia (now Iran) to set-up their own looms for weaving Kerman rugs.
To see a video on the history of the four generation of Atiyeh Bros., click here.