07.09.25
With heavy hearts and utmost respect we say goodbye to Dennis “Denny” O’Toole, a partner and Managing Principal of our practice and an “O” of the BOORA (as it was known then) name. Denny had a deep-reaching career with us, joining the firm in 1968 and being elevated to partner in 1975, where he remained until his retirement in 2002. He led many projects in education, healthcare, and the performing arts, including the Portland Center for the Performing Arts and the Schnitzer Hall Renovation. In the latter half of his career he focused on construction administration (his original passion in the profession), establishing a level of impeccable technical design expertise that continues today.
Beyond project impacts, Denny’s legacy permeates our practice. As Managing Principal, he was regarded as “the fixer,” able to solve complex issues with level-headed perspective and a “get it done” attitude. He was especially proud of wooing Pat Harrington (the Managing Principal who would succeed him) to Bora, and his problem-solving acumen led him to pioneer the staff loaner program many local firms still use to preserve jobs for architects weathering the industry. An ego-free, “more the merrier” person with heart, humor, and charisma, Denny always kept his door open—whether you were a designer wanting to chat or a kid eyeing his M&M dispenser.
Denny was a lover of work and life and everything in between. He had no need for a fancy car, but did boast an impressive car phone. ‘80s legend recalls Denny driving around town, giant phone to his ear, reading notes from his briefcase aloud into his tape recorder mic while steering with his knee (!). When not “multitasking” for work, you’d find him with his toolbelt strapped on, constructing his own house or helping family members build a deck (and he built many!).
As his final Bora project, Denny oversaw construction on the UC Davis Mondavi Center, driven by his love for the arts and construction, and as a bonus, getting to work with his son John (our current Managing Principal). When the formal grand opening was sold out and limited to direct team members, Denny rounded up Bora’s admins and behind-the-scenes staff and drove everyone down in a minivan for the project’s pre-opening concert, sightseeing the whole way. This was classic, generous Denny, finding a way to not just share a job, but to share life with those around him.
He found joy in the journey, and because he did, we are grateful to have found it, too.
1: Denny O’Toole, c. 1997
2: Bora namesakes Broome, Oringdulph, O’Toole, Rudolf
3: Bora history wall
4: Pat Harrington, Denny O’Toole, John O’Toole
5: Denny O’Toole, c. 1970