Gert-Boyle-Obituary

Gert Boyle

Obituary

Gert Boyle was the former president and chairwoman of Columbia Sportswear, who built the company from a small business to the largest outerwear company in the U.S. and starred in its commercials.

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I'm a lifelong local and, of course, layered in Columbia every day. I'm also a Portland tour guide, and I tell her story every time we pass the store and posters on Broadway. She balanced on fulcrums of history, from Old World to New, spanning the legacies of Oregon and the Women of Oregon. The affect of her spirit, example, and philanthropy will not only grow, it will keep us warm for generations.

My Racewalkers Northwest group saw Gert when we had breakfast at The Buffalo Gap in Portland. She always checked our clothing to see whether we were wearing Columbia Sportswear gear! She noticed. A great woman.

The advertising with "Mother Gert" was great, but the company succeeded under her and Tim's leadership because of the exceptional products. My closet is full of Columbia clothing. I have my Bugaboo jacket from 1987. It's in perfect shape. This past winter, I've bought up a storm of Columbia's PFG line because I now live in South Florida. The quality is still amazing. The stuff doesn't wear out. I'm wearing Columbia clothes I bought 15 to 20 years ago. Gertrude Boyle was...

So sorry for your loss and you have my sincere sympathy. Mrs Boyel was a unique and strong woman. May blessings of calm come from above to the family!

My condolences to the family, truly an industrial person. May the God of Comfort, continue to comfort the family.

Gert has left us with a great legacy of taking care of Oregonians as a major employer and philanthropist. Gerts Greatest gift may be leaving us the fantastic Boyle family with the same values and interests as their beloved Matriarch . Big Hug to the entire Boyle Family .

When I worked for Columbia Sportswear, I felt that I worked for a family and not a corporation. Mother Gert Boyle always made everyone feel as if they were part of a Columbia Sportswear family.
My deepest sympathy to you,Tim and Joe, for the passing of such a dynamic, powerful and fun-loving mother/grandmother. I am grateful to have known her.

God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the family's...My condolence...

Sorry to hear of Mom's passing. Brings back great memories of our commitment to Columbia in the early years when she took over the business. My sincere condolences. Ted Kuller, Minnesota Knitting Mills