Born in Mendota, Illinois, Robert E. Porterfield came to Spokane in the fall of 1890 to enter a successful business carreer. He was one of the founders of the Citizens Savings and Loan Society for which he served as secretary until he retired in 1936. Porterfield along with J. P. Graves, Aubrey L. White, the Rev. Hugh H. McMillan, J. Grier Long, Frank C. Robertson, John A. Finch, W. L. McEachran, Dr. F. R. Fursey and Professor J. F. Saylor supported the relocation of the College from Tacoma to Spokane. The plan was approved by the Synod of Washington on October 16, 1913. He was appointed temporary, and then assistant secretary of the College board of trustees on June 20, 1914. He became secretary of the board on June 8, 1915. Porterfield also served as treasurer of the college. As such he received copies of much of the correspondence of the presidents, deans and others involved in college affairs. Much of this material will be of great interest to historians. Porterfield died of a heart attack on November 27, 1940 at his home in Spokane.
From the guide to the Robert E. Porterfield Papers, 1900-1938, (Whitworth University Archives)
