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Sieglinde Gabriel
May 9, 1939 - March 8, 2023
Sacramento, California

Sieglinde Gabriel was born May 09, 1939, in Schweinfurt, Germany and passed away in Sacramento, California on March 08,2023. Sieglinde survived by her husband Alfred Gabriel of 43 years, a sister and plenty of nieces and nephews. She had worked at SKF Ball Bearings during the war, and owned a restaurant named “Mom’s “in Schweinfurt, before arriving to Mountain View, California in 1978. In 1979, She met her husband, Alfred Gabriel. During that time, she worked for Syntex Pharmaceuticals for 17 years before retiring. Sieglinde and her husband resided in Mountain View, California for 30 years before moving to Sacramento, California in 2015. Sieglinde loved her dog “Champ”. She will be greatly missed....

 

Alice Bethke
Dec. 28, 1938 - March 6, 2023
Palo Alto, California

Alice Rockwood Bethke passed away peacefully on March 6, 2023, surrounded by family. Alice was born December 28, 1938 in Summit, New Jersey to George and Ruth Rockwood. She spent her childhood there and in Champaign-Urbana, where her father taught briefly at the University of Illinois. After his death, the family moved to Tallahassee, where Alice spent her high school years. She attended college at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she met her future husband, Frederick Bethke. Alice also spent time studying abroad: at age 14 she lived for a year in Thailand where her mother was a Fulbright scholar, and she spent semesters in both Mexico and Germany. After graduation, Alice worked in the University of California, Berkeley libraries for two years. Alice and Fred were married in 1963, and spent their first two years in North Dakota. They then moved to New York City, where Alice worked in the New York Public Library maps division, and also earned an MA from Pratt. When her children Jennifer and Audrey arrived, Alice became a full-time mother. The family moved to Palo Alto in 1974, which remained their residence for more than 40 years. Her most recent job was Supervis...

 

Barbara A Ringham
Sept. 18, 1932 - March 6, 2023
Atherton, California

Barbara A. Ringham passed away peacefully at home after a long illness. She was the loving wife of Arthur J. (Jack) Ringham for just shy of 60 years. Born Barbara Ann Bower in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 18, 1932, she arrived quickly and was delivered at home by her father before the doctor arrived. She was the youngest of five children with four older brothers. In 1955 Barbara graduated cum laude from Downer College of Milwaukee, part of Lawrence University, with a Bachelor of Science degree. She went on to Massachusetts General Hospital where she completed a post-graduate course in Hospital Dietetics. She joined the dietetics department at Presbyterian-Saint Luke’s Hospital in Chicago where she spent four years managing the main kitchen. While in Chicago she met Jack, her future husband. In 1962 Barbara returned to Milwaukee where she planned, equipped and managed a new dietary research unit in Milwaukee General Hospital. Barbara and Jack married on July 20, 1963 and lived in La Grange, Illinois where their first child, Nancy, was born just before their first wedding anniversary. In late 1964 Jack transferred to San Francisco, with the family settling in ...

 

Paul V Buckley
May 13, 1968 - March 2, 2023
Palo Alto, California

Paul V. Buckley, 54, of Palo Alto, California, died Thursday, March 2, 2023. He was born May 13, 1968 in England to Colin Samuel and Maureen Ann (Pratt) Buckley. He was a 1988 graduate of Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, England, and a 1984 graduate of the Hollyfield School, Surbiton, England. He worked in information technology for 38 years and held senior leadership positions at Oracle Corp., Mediaspectrum, Morris Communications, and Knight-Ridder Newspapers. He was an avid amusement park enthusiast, a drone hobbyist, and a lover of fine dining and all things BMW. He is survived by his wife, Bridget Buckley of Palo Alto, daughters Michaela Buckley of San Mateo and Charlie Buckley of Chessington, his mother, Maureen Buckley of Surbiton, brother Andrew Buckley (partner Soph) and his 2 nephews Arthur and Tomos of London / Wales....

 

Ernest Aaron Vigdor
April 25, 1925 - Feb. 27, 2023
Palo Alto, California

Ernest Aaron Vigdor, aged 97, of Palo Alto, CA died at the Stanford Medical Center on Monday, February 27th, 2023, of natural causes. Ernie was born April 25, 1925 in the Bronx, New York City, to Joseph and Lena Vigdor. He attended Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey; served as staff sergeant and high-speed radio operator with the Army Air Corps in Guam during World War II; and graduated from the Pratt Institute in advertising arts. Ernie held several positions in advertising in Manhattan during the late 1940s and 1950s, before starting his own graphic design company in northern New Jersey, doing sales promotions for major corporations and public agencies for thirty years. In 1947, he married Barbara (“Bobbe”) Linn, who managed the business’s financial side. Their daughter, Siri, born in 1950, and son-in-law John Bilyk, joined the company later on. During their time at Bardott (as the company was called), Ernie and Bobbe served as officers of several regional arts organizations, including the Fairleigh Dickinson University Concert Guild, the Classic Ballet Company of Northern New Jersey, the Bergen County Arts Council, Project Impact (promoting arts in education)...

 

John Merrill Dorman
Feb. 7, 1942 - Feb. 26, 2023
Menlo Park, California

Dr. John Merrill Dorman passed on at his home in Menlo Park on February 26, surrounded by loving family, after a years-long struggle with Parkinsonism. Dr. Dorman was born on February 7, 1942, to Dr. Daniel and Dorothy Dorman in Philadelphia, PA, and spent most of his childhood in Pittsfield, MA and Orient, Long Island as part of a lively household with four siblings. He graduated Andover Academy in 1959 and Williams College in 1963. While at Williams, he met the love of his life, Charlene Diane Tropeano. They married at St. Brigid Church in her hometown of Lexington, MA. He went on to graduate Harvard Medical School, followed by an Internship at Strong Hospital in Rochester, NY. He joined the U.S. Public Health Service and served on Staten Island, NY, and at sea with the U.S. Coast Guard. He completed a Pediatric Residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. In August 1973, he accepted a position at the Cowell Student Health Center at Stanford University, a role he held until his retirement 44 years later. Among his many other professional achievements, Dr. Dorman served as editor and executive editor of the Journal of American College Health and as a Stanfor...

 

Gertrude Marie Goodale
Aug. 15, 1923 - Feb. 24, 2023
Atherton, California

Gertrude Marie Goodale, age 99, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2023. She was born August 15, 1923, in Astoria Oregon to John and Laura Helstrom. Gertrude was a fine artist having studied formally in both Oregon and California. In California, Gertrude met and married Thomas Goodale. They shared a life-long love of dogs—especially cairn terriers and were generous doners to many animal organizations. Thomas preceded Gertrude in death in 1999. Gertrude is survived by her niece, Karen Grogan, her nephew-in-law, James Edward Grogan, her great nephew John Edward Grogan, and her cairn terriers, Robbie and Daisy. Additionally, she will be greatly missed by others whose lives she touched deeply--especially Rema, Alec, Gloria, Alma, Amy, Maria, Addy, Mireya, and Jocelyn. Gertrude and Thomas will rest in Ocean View Cemetery—in her beloved Astoria Oregon....

 

Matthew Elliot Slavik
Nov. 25, 1952 - Feb. 23, 2023
Menlo Park, CA

Matthew Elliot Slavik passed away peacefully on February 23, 2023 after a long period of ill-health. He was 70. Born to Sam and Harriet (“Tiger”) Slavik, Matt came of age in vibrant 1960’s Los Angeles. This instilled in him a lifelong love of rock, jazz, and folk music of any era, particularly that involving acoustic guitar, which he played religiously for the majority of his life. He was a dedicated sports fan, transfixed by Sandy Koufax’s Dodgers and John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins in his youth, before transitioning his allegiances to the Giants and Warriors as a loyal Bay Area resident his last 50 years. Matt attended UC Berkeley (Economics 1976), going on to graduate from Stanford Business School (1980) and achieve success in the burgeoning software industry across more than three decades. Experience at Apple, Cadence Design Systems, and Silicon Graphics led him to a long career as a valued consultant developing Sales & Marketing strategies for many early-stage companies. Above all, Matt was a devoted father, attending countless soccer, basketball, and baseball games whenever one of his sons was playing. He was unceasingly kind and generous, willing to do whatever he ...

 

Nancy Margaret Pruitt Snideman
Oct. 6, 1942 - Feb. 18, 2023
Napa, California

Nancy Margaret Pruitt Snideman passed away unexpectedly at age 80 on February 18, 2023 in Napa, California. She was born October 6, 1942 to Maxwell and Margaret Pruitt in Savannah, Georgia. She graduated from St. Vincent Academy, Armstrong College, and UNC Chapel Hill. She married her love, Fritz Snideman, the day before Christmas Eve and spent 46 loving and exciting years with him traveling the world and living in Washington DC, St. Helena CA, Ovando MT, and Menlo Park CA among other places until losing Fritz in 2014. Even after living in California for 55 years, Nancy always maintained a slight Savannah accent from her childhood. Before starting her family, Nancy began her professional life in social work. Much of her life was devoted to helping others around her. While her children were in elementary school, she volunteered for the schools and worked with children with developmental delays. She also showed great care for those who were elderly and less fortunate, whether it was driving food to the elderly or staying close and connected to those who were sick. Nancy raised her two deeply loved children, Laura and Christopher, while serving as a gracious host for everyone w...

 

Juanita Kathryn Brooks
May 3, 1926 - Feb. 18, 2023
Menlo Park and Redwood City, California

Juanita Kathryn Watson Brooks, whose passion for her family and whose steadfast commitment to Bay Area education shaped a generation of Peninsula students of color, died on Saturday, February 18th in Redwood City, California. She was 96 years old. An ardent wife, a beloved mother, a dazzling Brooks family matriarch, a committed teacher, and an elegant and dynamic Peninsula community member for over half a century, she peacefully succumbed to illness surrounded by her children and their spouses as well as grand and great-grandchildren at Redwood City’s Sunrise Senior Living facility. Born on May 3, 1926 in Texarkana, Texas to Arthur Watson, a pipe factory worker, and Gertrude Graham Watson, a homemaker, Juanita was an only child. She thrived on the love of her parents who provided her with a safe and supportive home life in spite of the awesome challenges posed by Jim Crow segregation and the Great Depression. From a young age, she exceled in school and garnered praise from her teachers, and her strength in this regard led her to making history in 1923. Selected that year by her second-grade teacher to participate in the city of Texarkana’s annual Christmas parade, Juani...

 

Edith Maxine Frost
Aug. 10, 1933 - Feb. 14, 2023
Mountain View, California

Edith Maxine Frost, 89, passed away on February 14, 2023 in Mountain View, CA where she lived most of her adult life. Edith was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was known for her warm smile, infectious laugh, and kind heart. She loved spending time with her family and friends, and was always there to offer a listening ear and a comforting word. She was truly admired for her work ethic, her independence and her great passion for teaching. She was ahead of her time, doing so many things that no other moms in the neighborhood were doing - working and taking college courses, getting her pilot’s license, and was dressed fashionably for it all! She traveled, worked and volunteered well into her senior years. Throughout her life, Edith was a teacher, was passionate about flying her small airplane and traveling the world with her friends. She was an active member of Sunnyvale International Church and the mid-peninsula Widow & Widowers organization, serving as President for many years. Edith was known for her generosity, love of coffee and devotion to the San Francisco Giants. We can all rest assured this was a life lived to its fullest! Edith is...

 

Elmer Reist
Aug. 29, 1930 - Feb. 13, 2023
Menlo Park, California

Elmer Joseph Reist passed away in February of 2023 at Stanford Hospital as a result of complications from advanced kidney disease. Elmer frequently remarked that he had led a charmed, perfectly-timed life. He grew up in Alberta, Canada, on a farm without electricity or running water, where he developed an iron constitution, a powerful work ethic, and a permanent dislike for raspberries and the cold. He liked to recount one childhood Christmas, when his parents gave him the chemistry kit that sparked a lifelong fascination for the building blocks of life. Elmer studied Honors Chemistry at the University of Alberta with Dr. Reuben Benjamin Sandin, while forming lasting bonds with his fellow students. He enjoyed the best room in the boarding house thanks to strategically gifting the headmaster with ducks he had hunted at home. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley, perfecting his research skills while working with Nobel Laureates. There, Elmer met his future wife Helen in the basement of Old Chem, when she criticized his technique during a game of pinochle and took over playing his hand. Elmer returned to Canada for a post-doc in Ottawa, a year which ...

 

Paula Luna
Jan. 25, 1926 - Feb. 12, 2023
Mountain View, CA, CA

January 25, 1926 – February 12, 2023 Resident of Mountain View, California Paula Luna, passed peacefully on February 12, 2023, at age 97. Paula was born into a large family (13) in Los Angeles on January 25, 1926. After high school, she relocated to Mountain View where she raised her family, she took courses at local colleges, (West Valley College, San Jose City College, Foothill Community College, and San Jose State). She worked as a Community Outreach Coordinator for the City of Mountain View Low-Income Housing Projects and Planning Department, and as a Community Worker and Case Load Manager for the County of Santa Clara Department of Social Services for over a decade. After she retired, she worked as a private caregiver for seniors. Paula was a prolific painter and shared her love of nature with renderings of landscapes, forests, deserts, lakes, oceans, Yosemite, and other places she had visited. She also participated in various needlepoint and quilting groups at the Mtn. View Senior Center. But perhaps, in addition to her great love for her family, she was a devout student of the Gospel and a longtime parishioner of Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto. It has been said...

 

Denise Lynn Haley
May 2, 1953 - Feb. 11, 2023
Pacifica, California

Denise Lynn Bernadette Haley, beloved daughter, sister, former wife, mother, niece, aunt, cousin, friend, teacher and grandmother, passed away suddenly at 69 years old on February 11, 2023 with her two daughters Haley and Laura by her side singing her into heaven. Denise was born on May 2, 1953 to Clifton and Janet Haley in Detroit, Michigan. Denise attended St. Brigid Catholic school in Detroit, Ecole Montjoie school where she learned and became fluent in French while living in Brussels, Belgium at age 10. After graduating from Thurston High School in Detroit in 1971, she received her Bachelors degree from Michigan State University in 1975, including a study abroad in France and then received her teaching credential from San Francisco State in 1991. Denise married her high school sweetheart Bill Dapkus in 1978. They moved to California in 1976 and were partners for 30 years since high school. Together they had two daughters, Haley in 1982 and Laura in 1986. Denise held many jobs in her life: waitress, entrepreneur in college selling advertising space on student desk blotters, campaigning for the National Women's Political Caucus in Washington DC in 1975, rental car manag...

 

Wilbur Erskine Mattison
July 11, 1922 - Feb. 9, 2023
Ellijay, Georgia

Dr. Wilbur Erskine Mattison Jr., fondly nicknamed Dr. Billy, Flash, Pop, Will, and most recently Doc, passed from this earth for a Heavenly view on February 9, 2023. He was 100 years old. Wilbur lived the last nine years of his life with his daughter Patti in Ellijay, Georgia. on a beautiful property he called Pop’s Place. He most loved to host his grandchildren and great grandchildren and delighted in watching them play in the creek and enjoy the beauty of nature. Wilbur was born in Anderson, South Carolina on July 11, 1922. His parents were Wilbur Erskine Mattison and Marguerite Henry Mattison. He enjoyed a happy southern childhood with his sisters, Marguerite (Punky) Mattison Rice and Mary Louise (Weesie) Mattison McLaurin. He attended the Citadel and served in The United States Army during WW2 from 1943-1947. He was wounded in France and was honored with a Purple Heart. He was an active member of the Purple Heart Society in Ellijay. Following his military service, Wilbur attended Johns Hopkins Medical School, graduating in 1952. He married Patsy Conroy on September 8, 1951. Wilbur and Patsy had two children, Patti (Mattison) O’Dell and Wilbur (Billy) Mattison. Followi...

 

Helen Sweyer
Dec. 10, 1924 - Feb. 8, 2023
Woodside, CA

HELEN SWEYER aka “Helen of Woodside” It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our Mom, Helen Sweyer, also known as “Helen of Woodside” in her community of Woodside, CA on February 8, 2023. Born and raised in San Francisco to Edwin and Helena Larson. She was the eldest of 4 siblings: Bob Larson, Florence Leale (both passed in 2020), and Claire Calvo, who currently resides in Pleasanton, CA. Mom was predeceased by our Dad, Robert (Bob) Sweyer, in 1991, and son Robert (Bob) Sweyer in 2020. Remaining in Woodside is her son Mark Sweyer, grandson Adam Sweyer, and daughter, Jan Sweyer, who recently relocated to Grass Valley. She also leaves a team of nieces and nephews and their extended families: Kathryn Rose, Frank Calvo, Christine Bouyea, David Calvo, Linda Brown, Valerie Andersen. Along with many dear friends. Mom’s younger years in San Francisco were filled with baseball (team captain), Editor of her Commerce High School Year Book. Worked at Hunters Point at the Naval Offices during WWII. Camping trips filled weekends along the coast and full summers in our beloved Yosemite. Her teen years were spent dancing to the big bands of Count B...

 

Rodger Scott Rickard
Aug. 26, 1932 - Feb. 8, 2023
Woodside, California

Rodger Scott Rickard was one of a kind. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 26, 1932, he wore many hats throughout his life. He proudly wore a naval aviator hat in Pensacola, Florida in the early ‘50s and a graduation cap at Springfield College in the late ‘50s but, in the end, it was his coaching hat that he talked about the most, whether it was sports, young entrepreneurs or non-profit corporations. Rodger had two loving mothers, Florence Rickard and her sister Hazel. Hay, as she was known, took over the care of Rodger when he was 2 as Florence was hospitalized with tuberculosis. Hay, her husband Elmer “E.L.” Groth and their son John, welcomed Rodger into their home and raised him as their own. One of Rodger’s earliest memories was having to stay in at recess to eat graham crackers and drink milk, as his teachers felt he was too skinny and frail to play with his peers outdoors. He devoted the rest of his life to getting out and playing hard, whether it was on the golf course, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro for his 65th birthday or in the board room - for Rodg there was no line between work and play. Drive is the word that comes to mind when reflecting on Rodger. ...

 

Josephine "Jodie" Hunter
Oct. 14, 1934 - Feb. 7, 2023
Santa Barbara & Atherton, California

The lessons she taught, the life she shared, the memories she left and love she showed will be missed. She is survived by her loving husband John N. Hunter of 63 years, her sister Corrinne Sidney, her five children Julene Hunter, Wendi Hunter, Elizabeth Hunter Kerrigan, John T. Hunter and Mary Hunter Leman, their spouses and her 12 grandchildren. She grew up in Brentwood and Riverside, moving to the Bay Area to attend Stanford University, and later Cal State East Bay. She was involved in developing the family business, where she served as Vice President of Industrial Boxboard Corporation. She was an active volunteer for Peninsula Family Service, The Auxiliary for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, and many other local charities. She loved her dogs, ballet, symphony and singing in the Presbyterian church....

 

Bernard A. Newcomb
Nov. 10, 1942 - Jan. 29, 2023
Palo Alto, California

An angel funder who loved life, family, adventure, and giving to help others, Bernard A. Newcomb passed away Sunday, January 29, at his home in Palo Alto, CA, with his wife Gerry (Marshall) Newcomb by his side. Known to many as Bernie, but to his family, community, and college, he was “Bing.” He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to cross his witty path. Newcomb grew up in the small town of Scio, Oregon, the middle child of Lyle and Agnes Newcomb. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his brother, Jerry, stepson Forbes Marshall, his close friend, David Lowe, cousins, nephews, nieces, caring neighbors, and many dear friends of a lifetime. Although born with congenital cataracts and legally blind, nothing held him back. A pioneer in systems development, Newcomb co-founded E*TRADE, the online brokerage firm, with Bill Porter. When the company went public in 1996, Newcomb described it as a “14-year overnight success.” He took his earnings and invested them heavily in persons, causes, and charities, “giving people a hand up rather than a handout.” Though a businessman, Newcomb was most comfortable giving his resources to improve the lives of others....

 

Duane Edwin Champion
June 2, 1949 - Jan. 11, 2023
Menlo Park, California

Duane Edwin Champion, PhD, passed away suddenly at home in Menlo Park, California, of natural causes on Jan. 11, age 73. His family, friends and colleagues miss him terribly, but even more, they are grateful for the time spent with him. Duane Champion was born on June 2, 1949, in Greene, New York. He spent his childhood among the area’s farms and fields, where he learned to appreciate nature and the outdoors, a love he carried for the rest of his life. After earning both his BA and MA in Geology at SUNY Buffalo, Duane moved west to earn his PhD in Geology at CalTech in 1980. While still a graduate student he joined the US Geological Survey in Menlo Park as a research geologist, and he continued his work with the Geological Survey until his passing. His study of volcanism throughout the Western United States, Hawaii and Alaska was instrumental in understanding the region’s geologic history, the risks associated with volcanoes, and the action of plate tectonics. Devoted to work, he still always had time for family, friends and a menagerie of beloved cats, dogs and birds. A man of wide-ranging interests, Duane loved nothing more than a good chat with those close to him. ...

 

Marilyn “Lyn” Alice Hohbach
May 18, 1929 - Jan. 8, 2023
Atherton, California

Marilyn “Lyn” Alice Hohbach, born Marilyn Alice Krouser, was a beloved, respected, intelligent, and trusted person, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, neighbor, and long-time community volunteer during her meaningful 93 years of life. She passed away peacefully in her home on the evening of January 8, 2023, with loved ones close by.  Marilyn was known for her strength of character, energetic creativity, intellectual curiosity, and her commitment to her family, friends, and community. Marilyn was born on May 18, 1929, in Oxnard, California, on a farm that grew sugar beets, lima beans, and alfalfa. Her mother (Lilla) was active in the Order of the Eastern Star and her father (Wenley) was editor of the local newspaper, The Oxnard Daily Courier. Some of her childhood chores were collecting eggs from the chickens and cleaning the dishes with her Grandma Chico, who lived with them. During the Depression, she remembered that her family was fortunate as it had enough eggs to make an angel food cake. With her friends, she enjoyed her very own playground with a rotating teeter-totter, walking around on stilts, and rollerskating in town. Her love of animals (in p...

 

Bobbe Jordan
March 2, 1936 - Sept. 23, 2022
Portola Valley, CA

She was born and raised in Piedmont, CA with 3 younger brothers. After Piedmont High, she went to UCSB and earned a degree in Biology. While there she met the amazing Bob Jordan who claimed to have ‘saved her from drowning in the shallow end of the pool .’ As his wife she became mother of four lucky children, Tim, Kevin, Jill, and Becky. She raised her own kids along with running an in-home daycare that opened her home and heart to all of Portola Valley’s children. Bobbe rarely sat down, hosting athletes and students from abroad. Bobbe also had a strong love for the outdoors. She enjoyed traveling near and far, whether in Lake Tahoe, Sedona or visiting state and national parks. She loved tapping into her imagination influenced by the work of Muir, Steinbeck, and Bob Jordan. Bobbe shared her limitless love of life with close friends, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She lived by her values shaped by faith and love of nature. Step lightly on the earth. Don’t judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. Leave a place better than when you arrived. We will meet again Bobbe , maybe on Windy Hill....

 

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