Santa Clara University

William M. Hilton '73 died on November 20, 2009.

Theodore Yau Sing Wong MBA '73 on Oct. 27, 2008. A native of Honolulu, he earned a bachelor of science degree in engineering from Oregon State University and an MBA from Santa Clara University. He was a captain in the Army and later worked for Lockheed. He moved back to Hawaii and was a branch manager for Cigna and later an estate planner for Merrill Lynch. He is survived by his wife, Myrna; three children; and five grandchildren.

Ronald D. Lowe '73 passed away Saturday, April 4, 2009 and is resting in peace. Ron was born March 1, 1939 in East Alton, Ill., on the banks of the Mississippi River. He grew up there attending school and graduated from Wood River High School in 1957. After graduation he voluntarily served in the U. S. Army where he trained as an electronic technician on the Nike Missile defense systems and was stationed in Germany for two years. After service he enrolled in electrical engineering at the University of Illinois. Upon graduation he took a position as research and development engineer at Hewlett Packard in Palo Alto, Calif. He retired after 33 years of service at their Colorado Springs operation in 1997. While working at HP, Ron acquired a MSEE from San Jose State, a MBA from the University of Santa Clara, course work for a doctorate at UCCS at Colorado Springs, and a Professional Engineers License from the state of Colorado. He was married for 37 years to his wife and friend, Sally E. Linkletter. He was blessed with a daughter, Jamie Ursch of Springfield, IL; a son, Shawn Lowe of Flagstaff, AZ; and daughters, Sandra Murray of Alton, Ill.; and Kimberly Tregellas of Wichita, Kan. He is blessed with four grandchildren, Jordan, Justin, Courtney, and Megan. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Dessie Lowe of E. Alton and is survived by a brother, James in Coral Springs, Fla. In 1997, after retirement he moved his family to the Grand Junction area and for two years operated a data communications consulting practice. He left that activity to follow his passion as a pilot and flight instructor. Yielding to the call of the classroom he obtained a position at Mesa State College where he completed five years as an adjunct professor in the CIS department of the School of Business. Ron has been active in the Seventh Day Adventist Church serving as an Elder for over 25 years. Over the last three years Ron was active in the MACHO (Men Against Cancer Helping Others) support group sponsored by St. Mary's Cancer Center.

Robert Gene Himenez MBA '73 on Dec. 16, 2008.

Robert “Bob” William Fitzgerald JD ’73,  born in Sacramento, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2011, after a long illness handled with grace and stoicism. Bob practiced family law in Santa Rosa for 35 years. He was a graduate of Montgomery High School Class of 1964, earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Portland in 1968, and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Santa Clara in 1973. He began his law career in his father's firm, eventually becoming partner in Fitzgerald and Fitzgerald. He became president of the Bar Association in 1978. He enjoyed the nuances and challenges of practicing law, but helping others most of all. Bob's passions included coaching softball, basketball, vacationing at Lake Shasta, and skiing Tahoe, Colorado and Banff. He enjoyed trivia, pool, reading, movies, and especially music. He was a proud, hands-on father and actively involved in the upbringing of his children. Bob was loved most for his integrity, honesty, kindness, and sharp wit. Bob is survived by his loving children Sharon Fitzgerald Kane, John Desmond Fitzgerald, Ann Michelle McKinley, and grandchildren Jack, Connell, Bailey, Robby, Matthew, and Luke. He is also survived by his sister Karin Fitzgerald Sanford, brother John Desmond Fitzgerald, and wife Cheryl Fitzgerald. He was previously married to Anne Marie Fitzgerald, mother of Sharon and John. He is preceded in death by his best friend Linda Mononi and by his beloved parents John and Evelyn.

Phyllis M. Cairns ’73, a resident of Los Altos, was born June 4, 1931 and died Aug. 3, 2012. Phyllis was a second generation San Franciscan born to Peter and Elsie Proctor. She is survived by her sons Mark and Peter, her sister Sr. Carole Proctor, her brother Gary Proctor and six grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Roger and daughter Lesley Williams. Phyllis attended both Stanford University and Santa Clara University, obtaining her B.A. in History. She became managing editor of the American Sociological Review and publications manager at Hover Institution Press. She loved her grandchildren and was delighted to see them grow up. Phyllis enjoyed classical music, family gatherings and dining with friends. She also loved reading, tutoring, the SF Giants and volunteering at the library. She will be missed.

Patrick F. O'Laughlin J.D. '73 on Nov. 9, 2008.  A native of San Jose, he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1970. After law school, he was a trial attorney for 20 years. He began in criminal defense with Glenn & Barrett and went on to practice civil law and personal injury with Morgan, Hammer, Beuzay, Ezgar, & Bledsoe and then Ezgar & O'Laughlin. In 1992 he was elected to the Town Council of Los Gatos and served as the town's mayor in 1995. He is survived by his wife, Maggie; and three children.

  Michael E. Stephens ’73, March 8, 1951 to March 3, 2012.

Mary Stivala Peterson ’73, a resident of Belmont from 1951 to 2012, passed from this world on July 28, 2012, at home surrounded by her family after a two-year battle with cancer. Mary was born in East Palo Alto in December of 1951. She attended St. Albert's Elementary School in Palo Alto, Notre Dame High School in Belmont, and Santa Clara University where she majored in Psychology. Mary went to work for the San Mateo Probation Department after graduation where she had a thirty year career retiring as a supervising probation officer. During her time at the probation department she met her husband Stewart. They had three children, Jeffrey 26, Gregory 24, and Kerry 21. Family was always the most important thing to Mary. It could truly be said that her life was a joyous celebration of life and family. She is survived by her parents Paul and Betty Stivala of East Palo Alto, her brothers, Paul, Steve, and Robert and her sister Jean. 

JULIA F. GRANT '73, age 57, died on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at Greenwich Hospital, after a short battle with cancer. She was a resident of Stamford, Connecticut. Julia Grant was born in Berkeley, Calif. on May 14, 1952, the daughter of the late Donald F. Fuller and the late Mary F. Fuller, and step-daughter of Susan A. Fuller of Santa Clara, Calif. Julia Grant graduated from Santa Clara University in 1973 and received her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1976. She met her husband, John Barrett Grant Jr. of Greenwich, in law school and they were married in the Georgetown University Chapel in 1976. They lived in New York City for several years before moving to Stamford in 1979. Mrs. Grant practiced real estate law with the firm of Finley, Kumble in New York City and later Merrill Lynch Realty Associates, Inc. in New York City and later Stamford. She was an accomplished quilter, avid traveler, and dog lover. As a life-long learner, and after retiring from law, Mrs. Grant earned a certificate of completion from J.M. Wright Technical High School in the Automotive Technology Program, and a Master Gardener Certification from the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford. Julia Grant was predeceased by her husband, John Barrett Grant, Jr. She is survived by her son, John B. Grant III of Syracuse, N.Y.; her daughter, Ann Elizabeth Grant; and son-in-law, Paul Novick of New York, N.Y.; her stepmother, Susan A. Fuller; and brother, David M. Fuller, of Oklahoma City, Okla. She is also survived by four nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 27 at Christ Church in Greenwich, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to OPIN (Outreach To Pets In Need) 201 Magee Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902.

Joseph Frank Tamez '73 passed away on Feb. 10, 2010. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 25 years, Maria Tamez; three daughters, nine grandchildren, eight brothers and sisters, twelve nieces and nephews and three sons-in-law. Frank grew up in Cupertino. He lived and worked with his family on the Mariani ranch. He was only 15 years old when he would drive a semi truck from the ranch to Sacramento to drop off fruit, and then back home to play in his Fremont high school baseball game. Frank was the first college graduate from his family, and graduated with honors from the University of Santa Clara. He went on to teach and coach football at Yerba Buena High School for 6 years. In 1979 he began teaching math and business at Mt. Pleasant High School, and was the director of activities for several years. He retired from the East Side Union High School District in 2003 after 30 years of teaching. He continued to substitute at the ESUHSD until 2010. Frank loved teaching and coaching, he talked about his students and colleagues all the time, former students kept in touch with him and it meant the world to him. He impacted many lives throughout his teaching career and accomplished his dream of becoming a great teacher. Frank was ranked one of the top ten basketball referees in Santa Clara County and worked at the high school and college level. He loved to play golf, dinners out with his wife, cooking, watching the cooking channel, spending time with family and watching his grandchildren play basketball and soccer. Keeping him quiet on the sideline was nearly impossible.

Dr. Jed G. Anderson '73 was born March 15, 1951, in San Francisco, Calif., and passed away Jan. 5, 2010, in El Dorado Hills, Calif. He was born to David and Mildred Anderson. He is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia Anderson; daughters, Linnea, Kelsey and Haley Anderson; sister, Melissa Gambetta; and brother, David Anderson. Jed served in the U.S. Army Field Artillery and Dental Corps for 11 years. He graduated from Santa Clara University, attended dental school at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., and had a USC Periodontology Residency. Dr. Anderson practiced his love of dentistry in Placerville for 22 years. Jed will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his love of his dental profession and patients and his love of sports—both participating and coaching. He had a kind and caring heart and loved teaching and watching his three daughters succeed in life.

Longtime Los Altos resident Jane Gillespie Evans ’73, the first female engineering graduate hired by Hewlett-Packard, died Dec. 1 after a long battle with cancer. Mrs. Evans, who relocated to Palo Alto in recent years, was 84.
 
Mrs. Evans was born and raised in Houston, Texas, the daughter of James Walker Gillespie and Fleetwood Vinson Gillespie. She graduated from Rice University in 1946 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
 
In 1948, she married her college sweetheart, John Evans, whom she met while he was completing his doctorate in nuclear physics at Rice. She worked at Union Carbide in Texas, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory in New Mexico, and the National Reactor Testing Station in Idaho.
 
When they moved to the Bay Area, Mrs. Evans quickly realized the importance of electronics and, in 1965, became the first woman to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from San Jose State University.
 
HP hired her as its first female engineering graduate. While working at HP, Mrs. Evans earned a master’s degree from Santa Clara University.
 
For 25 years, she played a significant role in HP’s rise as a global provider of electronics and computers. She was a role model to countless engineers, women, and men, exemplifying the best of the profession.
 
Longtime friend Lyndell Kelly said Mrs. Evans served as mentor and role model for women aspiring to engineering careers.
 
Kelly noted that Mrs. Evans was proud of this role. She quoted from a 2002 Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) Grid magazine article written about her: “(Mrs. Evans) nurtured their aspirations and urged them to take charge of their career path, moving purposely, choosing directions rather than bobbing ‘like a cork in the ocean,’ bouncing from job to job. ‘Write your own chapter,’ she urged young females, encouraging them to think about what women could distinctly bring to the table, then promoting the need for this. Her approach inspired many men as well.”
 
Mrs. Evans’ legacy will be continued through the establishment of endowments for scholarships for aspiring female students in the areas of science and technology at two of her alma maters, San Jose State University Engineering School and Rice University.
 
Mrs. Evans also enjoyed hands-on work, doing such stereotypically male work as tuning cars and changing the oil.
 
“She was a great lover of sing-a-longs,” Kelly said. “She was known at the Vi (Hyatt) for her ability to remember the entire lyrics of almost every song.”
 
Mrs. Evans was an active leader of IEEE, serving on the local, regional and national levels. She was chairwoman of the board of directors of the 1997 WESCON Conference. Under her leadership, WESCON was held in Silicon Valley for the first time.
 
She was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Society of Women Engineers, where she served on the national board of trustees.
 
Mrs. Evans received IEEE’s Centennial Medal, the Career Action Center’s Woman of Vision Award, San Jose State University’s Engineering Award of Distinction and the Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County’s World of Today and Tomorrow award. In 1999, the Silicon Valley Engineering Council inducted her into its Hall of Fame.
 
The Evanses settled in Los Altos and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998, before Mr. Evans’ death the following year.
 
Mrs. Evans is survived by nephews Christopher Moore and Charles Moore. Her sisters Minne Williams and Anne Palmer predeceased her.
 

Herbert Lee Keaton J.D. '73 passed away on August 6, 2010.  Herbert was born in Ozark, Arkansas on March 26, 1931. He was a resident of Lincoln, Calif., for five years, and passed away in Roseville, Calif., at the age of 79. He was an attorney; and was regarded as a "lawyers' lawyer" by his co-workers when he was engaged in the practice of law. He is survived by his Ann Keaton, his wife of 51 years; his children, Russell Keaton of Ocean Shores, Wa., and Karen Morningstar of Auburn, Calif.; grandchildren, Gabriel Morningstar of Grass Valley, Justin Keaton and Alexis Keaton of Santa Rosa, Calif.; brother Dean Barnett of Tulsa, Ok.

Gerald Grant Johnson MBA '73 died on September 16, 2010 in Healdsburg, California after a long courageous battle with MDS (myelodisplastic syndrome). Born in Idaho Falls, ID, on October 31, 1932 and reared in Oakland, CA., Jerry served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He and his wife, Marion Zimmerman Johnson, met at Santa Rosa Junior College in 1953, and they were married in September of 1954. They had just celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. Jerry was the adored father of Barri Johnson Lehtola of Petaluma and Martin G. Johnson of Alameda, and he was the beloved grandfather of Nicole and Jon Lehtola and Blake and Sydney Johnson. Jerry graduated from University of California-Berkeley with a B.S. degree, earned a Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Washington and an MBA from Santa Clara University. He began his career working in aerospace for Boeing and Lockheed. Then he shifted his career to power plants and worked for Bechtel, Gibbs & Hill, Dravo and Calpine, for whom he designed power plants, including the NCPA power plant at The Geysers. Jerry is also survived by his brothers Robert F. Johnson (Patti) and Donald R. Johnson (Dolores), both of Placerville, and his sisters, Wanda K. Johnson, of Placerville, and Judy Johnson Hermosa, of Turlock; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jerry was a good, kind man and a terrific father with a wonderful sense of humor. He could repair and build anything. He loved Dixieland jazz, but other than his family, the real love of his life was sailing. He owned a sailboat and raced and sailed San Francisco Bay for over 50 years. He went down with all flags flying. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Donations may be made in Jerry's name to Roots of Motive Power in Willets, CA., where he enjoyed many hours of volunteer work. He also volunteered at the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association on the Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco and he was a member of the Santa Clara County Buddy Program for many years.

Gardner F. Holmes J.D. '73 on Jan. 18, 2009.  A native of Milwaukee, he joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Richmond for eight years. After World War II, he earned an electrical engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin, joined Westinghouse, and designed the engine room of the first atomic submarine, the USS Nautilus. While working at Westinghouse in Sunnyvale, he attended SCU's School of Law at night and after graduating set up a practice in Cupertino. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; three children; and three step-children.

Ernest E. Wuethrich M.S. '73 on Sept. 25, 2008.  A native of Olten, Switzerland, he left the country to continue his career as an engineer and explore a new life in the U.S. He spent 50 years as an electrical engineer and designer with Ford Aerospace, and later Loral Space Systems. He is survived by his wife, Dora; and two children.

David R. Frank MS ’73 attended the SCU "Early Bird" engineering gradute program through Lockheed for a number of years to obtain his M.S. in applied mathetics. He continued working at Lockheed/Martin, primarily in the Trident Strategic Systems Program, until his retirement in 2000. He was a native of Bellville, Texas, and a resident of Santa Cruz from 1967 until his death. After retiring, he continued his interest in model planes, photography, and advancements in engineering. David is survived by his wife, Iris, of Santa Cruz; son Reese, wife Cathy, and grandson Alexander of Woodland Hills; and son Jonathan, wife Gina, and grandson Ethan of Los Gatos.

 Boris I. Chapnitsky '73 on December 20, 2008.