Santa Clara University

JOSEPH A. GRASSI Professor emeritus of Religious Studies, SCU Nov. 4, 1922 - Dec. 9, 2010. Our beloved Joseph passed away peacefully while his wife Carolyn was with him. He is deeply mourned by his family, including  sons Peter Grassi '93, Eddie Grassi '92, daughter-in-law Alisa, grandchildren Madeline and Ethan, sister Emily Walsh, brother Peter Grassi, brothers-in-law John & Richard Cook, nieces, nephews and countless friends. Joseph was the son of the late Joseph & Marie DiNunzio Grassi and brother of the late Louise Griffing. Professor emeritus of Religious Studies at Santa Clara University, Scripture teacher of Maryknoll seminarians and SCU students, author of over 20 books, founder of Skip-A-Meal program for the hungry, member of Catholic Biblical Society etc, educated at Manhattan College, Maryknoll, the Pontifical Gregorian & Biblical Institutes in Rome, serving the poor in Guatemala for 3 years, teacher with his wife Carolyn in the SCU Osher program. A funeral Mass for Joseph Grassi will be on January 15 at 1:30 pm at the Mission Church, SCU campus. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed by Hospice of the Valley.

Joseph Doetsch Jr. '31, former longtime Walla Walla resident, passed away July 11, 2009, in Issaquah, Wash. He was 101 years old.

Lester O'Meara '33 on January 16, 2010.  Les graduated from Santa Clara University and proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer during WWII. After the war, he became a principal in the mechanical engineering firm of O'Meara-Sanford-Alessi Inc. He was president and national committeeman in the Consulting Engineering Council, past chairman of the Architects and Engineering Conference Committee, served as a director for the Sacramento Builders Exchance, chairman of the County Board of Appeals for the building department, and was also a member of the Sacramento City-County Chamber of Commerce. O'Meara was a generous contributor to civic, welfare, religious, and young organizations and education institutions. Les and his wife "Sue" were members of the Del Paso Country Club for many years where they enjoyed playing golf and socializing with their friends. It's nice to imagine Les back on a big beautiful golf course in Heaven trying for that next hole-in-one, a smile on his face, no pain, no worry. Les is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Muriel (also known as "Sue"); his nephew John (Polly) O'Meara of Newport Beach; his sister Vivian Felton of San Rafael; nieces Claudia (Howard) Jones of Clovis, Calif., Majorie (Bob) Price of Jettersville, Calif., Janet (Lawrence) Fogel of Scotts Valley, CA and Susan (Byron) Levey of Watsonville, Calif., and several grand and great nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

John MacDonald '34 passed away on  March 8, 2010 at the age of 97. Beloved husband, uncle, teacher, and friend, John taught engineering at San Jose State University and designed part of the engineering center. An avid golfer, he was a founding organizer of La Rinconada Golf Club. He served as a Navy lieutenant, an engineering officer, during WWII. John was stationed in Honolulu & Mare Island, Vallejo, where he helped Admiral Rickover, father of the nuclear navy.

Francis Sparolini '34 son of a pioneer Monterey family, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2009 at his home in Carmel with his family at his side. He was 97. He was a highly respected member of the community where he was born, grew up and owned and operated Sparolini Distributing Company. Francis' father, John A. Sparolini, first came to Monterey in 1884 from Lugano, Switzerland. His mother, the former Frances Lander, came to Monterey from Germany in 1893. The Sparolinis were married in 1899. After graduating from San Carlos parochial school and Monterey High School, he was graduated from Santa Clara University in 1934. He served as Captain, Transportation Corps, in the Army of the United States and was honorably discharged in 1953. Francis married Aili Orava in 1943 and they enjoyed a very happy and wonderful marriage until her death in 1974. Francis and Aili were blessed with three beautiful children, Susan, James and Catherine. In 1976, Francis married Laverne Kahl Storm and they shared many memorable years together until her death in 2007. Perhaps the most signal honor to come his way occurred in 1964 when he was elected a Director of First National Bank of Monterey, the oldest bank in Monterey County. It was a position his father held shortly after the bank's organization. Francis was extremely active in community affairs and his true passion was his family, the Catholic Church, his friends and golf. Francis loved the game of golf and first learned as a young lad caddying at Pebble Beach and Old Del Monte Golf Club. In 1940, he became a member of Monterey Peninsula Country Club. He later was elected to the Board of MPCC and served as President in 1969. He played golf regularly throughout his long membership. He was a member of the Wednesday Odd Lotters group, a high-spirited group whose afternoon golf was foreshadowed by the boisterous 19th hole aftermath where winners gloat over their competitors and all joyfully relive recent history on the links. Francis is predeceased by his son, James and is survived by his daughters, Susan LaVarnway (Charles) and Catherine Sparolini; his daughter-in-law, Kathryn; grandchildren, Sonia and Stephen Sparolini and stepson, Chris Storm; and many nieces and nephews. So whether you knew him as Francis, Fran, Frank, F.J., Frannie, Sparo, Sperry, Mr. Sparolini, Uncle, Grandpa, or Dad, he has left a deep, lasting impression on each person fortunate to have him in their life.

William D. Bottini '35 on Feb. 13, 2009. The native of Pleasanton attended SCU on a basketball scholarship and graduated with a degree in civil engineering. He worked for the Western Pacific Railroad as a right-of-way engineer in Nevada, and in 1942 enlisted in the Seabees of the United States Navy and was decorated with the Bronze Star for his service as an engineer constructing landing strips on islands of the South Pacific during World War II. After the war he came to Colorado Springs as superintendent of construction for several projects at the Air Force Academy, including building a chapel, the football stadium, and the cadet area. Working for B.H. Baker Construction Company, he was responsible for the company's building projects in Colorado Springs and other areas of Colorado and Wyoming. Upon retirement, he volunteered for the Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs as a supervisor of building projects throughout the area. In addition, he worked in a local soup kitchen and helped out at local schools by reading to children. He is survived by two sons; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Jeremiah G. Hickey II  '35 on January 30, 2009, age 96, in Pheonix, Ariz. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Catherine; his children, J. Griffin, Christopher, Clare, Marguerite, and Louise, and grandchildren. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and worked for Hickey Freeman for 33 years. He was devoted to his family and his church, loved photography and poetry. He was a member of the Lay Order of Carmelites.

Edward Van Tobel Jr. '35 died Dec. 29, 2009. The Las Vegas busiess pioneer was 96 years old. He is credited with helping to build the company into the world's first indoor lumber and home improvement center in the 1950s. He had spent much of his youth working with his father, company founder Ed Von Tobel Sr., and brothers Jacob and George Von Tobel at the family lumberyard in town. After graduating from Las Vegas High School and Santa Clara University, Von Tobel Jr. rejoined Von Tobel Lumber. He handled the accounting and bookkeeping and oversaw the hardware and lumber store's expansion into multiple locations.  Ed Von Tobel Sr. came to Las Vegas in 1905 and started Von Tobel Lumber shortly after. That was decades before Nevada would legalize gambling, but Von Tobel Sr. made his own gamble, surviving many lean early years in business. The father patriarch died in 1967. His son Edward Jr. was the last surviving sibling among the father's four children. Von Tobel Jr. left the family business for a brief time in the 1940s after being drafted into the Army. Upon his return to Las Vegas, he helped to make Von Tobel Lumber a worldwide model of lumberyards and home improvement centers.  "People would come from Australia and all over the world to look at his indoor lumber yard. It was cool as a kid because they would bring gifts," recalled niece Julie Roach, who is the daughter of George Von Tobel. "Before there was a Home Depot or a Lowe's, there was a Von Tobel Lumber," she said.  The largest Von Tobel Lumber was at Maryland Parkway and Karen Avenue. In the 1980s, the family sold the lumber business to a national chain, which later went out of business. But Ed Von Tobel Jr. stayed active for the rest of his life by helping in the bookkeeping on his family's real estate holdings, Roach said. "He worked right up until about a month before he passed away. He always was a hard worker and stayed late," she added. Von Tobel Jr. also kept busy helping out reporters and historians with his knowledge of the state and Las Vegas. "There wasn't a person, writer, or filmmaker doing something on Nevada who didn't come to Uncle Ed to interview him," Roach said.  In one local history book, The First 100: Portraits of the Men and Women Who Shaped Las Vegas, Von Tobel Jr. discussed his pioneering father and his childhood growing up in Las Vegas with co-author A.D. Hopkins.  "Every Sunday afternoon, his brother Jake would go down to the red light district on Block 16 to buy a bucket of beer to bring back for the family," said Hopkins. "He said you had to buy it at a brothel because it was the closest place, and they'd sell you a bucket of beer even if you were 12."  Hopkins said Von Tobel Jr. was "invaluable to historians."  Ed Von Tobel Jr. is survived by his wife of 70 years, Evelyne; daughters Sharon Schmitt, Katherine Acord, Susan Von Tobel and Gretchen McQuade; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. 

Robert P. Litschi '36 passed away on November 15 at age 96, surrounded by his loving family. Growing up in LA, he shared a passion with his dad Louis - playing baseball, first at Loyola High and then at SCU. Louis played for the Vernon Tigers (Pacific Coast League) and young Bob remembers Brashear, Hosp and other baseball players frequenting his house. Bob took up golf in college and virtually never stopped playing - up to age 94. After college and serving in WWII in New Caledonia, he worked and retired from Keliher Hardware. He is survived by his children, Linda (Joe) Sallinger, Laura Litschi Jones '68, Janet (Sam) Rizzo, Bob (Sandy) Litschi, and Jim Litschi '78, as well as eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and predeceased by his wife Marjory. His services were held at St. Therese, his parish church, in Alhambra.

Robert P. Litschi '36 died Nov. 15, 2009. Bob passed away as graciously as he lived, surrounded by his loving family. Growing up in L.A., he shared a passion with his dad Louis—playing baseball, first at Loyola High and then Santa Clara University. Louis played for the Vernon Tigers (Pacific Coast League) and young Bob remembers Brashear, Hosp, and other baseball players frequenting his house. Bob took up golf in college and virtually never stopped playing—up to age 94. After college and serving in WWII in New Caledonia, he worked and retired from Keliher Hardware. He enriched our lives with his keen sense of humor, his kindness, generous nature and his dedication to his faith. He is survived by his children, Linda (Joe) Sallinger, Laura Jones, Janet (Sam) Rizzo, Bob (Sandy) Litschi, and Jim Litschi, as well as eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and predeceased by his wife Marjorie.

Bernard Walsh Mehren '36 died peacefully at home in Rancho Santa Fe on Friday, May 29, 2009, with his son, John, daughter-in-law, Marcy, and grandchildren, Joe, Andrew, and Laurelyn at his bedside. He was born on October 23, 1914 in South Orange, N.J., to Edward J. and Grace W. Mehren. He was a resident of Rancho Santa Fe for 53 years. Barney graduated from Brophy Preparatory High School in Phoenix, Arizona, attended the University of Santa Clara, and graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. A long time, professionally licensed chemical engineer, he worked for Crown Cork and Seal, was the chief chemist for the Squirt Beverage Company's bottling plant in San Diego, and was founder and chairman of PM Chemical Company since 1942. He invented many detergent and cleaning formulas in his long career with the company. He attended the University of Chicago to train as a meteorologist and was assigned to the Army Air Corps based in the Aleutian Islands during World War II. He flew on board many a bombing run in B-24 Liberators over the Northern Kurile Islands, Japan as a weather observer. While in The Aleutians, Barney and a colleague discovered and documented winds aloft, now referred to in meteorology as the jet stream. He attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, received The Air Medal, and was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1945. One of his great passions, besides his family, was singing and music. He sang in the choirs at both St. James Church and The Church of the Nativity, soloing at most Saturday evening Masses. He was a member of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Western Lieutenancy. He traveled extensively with his family, and later on around the world with his wife Loraine. Barney was predeceased by his son, Leo; and his wife of 46 years, Loraine. He leaves behind many friends and family including sons, Bernie, John, (Marcy), and Jim; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his loving caregiver, Gracie; and devoted gardener, Jesus. 

William DeFries '37 on April 5, 2010.  Wiliam was born in Manila, Philippine Islands, and moved to The Villages from Santa Barbara, Calif. in 1994.  He was retired from the Air Force; served as state regional health officer for Sumter and Pasco counties; county health officer for Fresno County in California; was an associate professor at Fresno State University; doctor at the Country Free Clinic in Firebaugh, Calif.; served as the senior medical consultant for the state of California; and director of professional services in the surgeon general's office in Washington, D.C. Survivors include his wife, Vira, sons William C. DeFries, Richard DeFries '79, Donald Conard, and daughters Cecilia L. DeFries and Patty Vardilos, as well as 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. 

Richard E. Barton ’37 died October 24, 2010.  

John B. Hoey '37 died on Jun. 29, 2008.

Henry "Hank" Richard ’37, a resident of Santa Cruz, was born in San Jose, CA, December 12, 1916, and passed away December 19, 2012, at the age of 96. He was preceded in death less than a year ago by Margery, his beloved wife of 71 years. He is survived by his two sons, Stephen (Dee) of Los Gatos and Bruce (Elaine) of Ukiah, five grandchildren, Shannon (Santa Barbara), Carey (San Jose) and Nathaniel, Louisa, and Hallie all of Ukiah, and five great grandchildren. Hank was the son of prominent Alviso ranchers Henry Sr. and Grace Wade Richard and grew up working with his father in the family orchards. He learned duck-hunting from his father at the age of six and became an excellent marksman. He attended Bellarmine College Prep, Santa Clara University and U.C.Davis where he graduated with a degree in horticulture in 1937. Hank supervised the family orchards until 1940 when he married Margery, he then became an Inspector for the USDA in San Jose advancing to supervising inspector for the 11 western states. In 1958 he went to work as production manager and later plant manager of Pratt-Lowe in Santa Clara. Upon retiring in 1980, he and Margery moved to Pasatiempo golf community where they enjoyed 30+ Golden Years playing golf, bridge, gardening, traveling and a full social life with many wonderful and lifelong friends. 

George W. Artz J.D. '40 on Feb 12, 2009. The Sacramento native served in the Army during World War II and was a lawyer with the firm, Desmond, Miller & Artz. He later joined Hal Ellis to develop the Arden Manor subdivision in Sacramento. In 1952, they formed Alcan Pacific Co., a general contractor with operations in Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, Okinawa, and Thailand. Later ventures included part ownership of Channel 31 in Sacramento and Sharon Heights Convalescent Hospital in Menlo Park. He was active in the Crocker Art Museum and Interfaith Service Bureau and spent 10 years on the board of the Sacramento Convention Bureau. He was a past chairman and member of the SCU Board of Regents. He studied voice for 18 years and was a soloist with the Sacramento Symphony in 1948. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and six children.

Adrian L. Ward '37 passed away Jan. 1, 2012.

He was born in Portland, Ore., and moved with his family to Menlo Park in 1925. He graduated from St. Joseph Grammar School in 1929, from Bellarmine Prep in 1933 and from Univ. of Santa Clara in 1937 with a business degree.

Adrian worked at President Hotel, Palo Alto, during school years and sales at Schwabacher/Fry, San Francisco until 1941 when he joined the Quartermaster Corps of the Air Force at Moffett Field. In 1945 he was released from the Army as Sergeant in an Altitude Training unit at Hickam Field, Hawaii. In 1945 he joined the sales force of Pacific Telephone Co. until 1954 when he went into the sporting goods business. He retired in 1977.

Adrian is preceded in death by his parents Adrian F. and Adele Ward and his sister, Jean Bone.

Robert Frederick Lautze ’39 died on May 8, 2012. Born in San Francisco on August 20, 1917, to Frederick and Theresa Lautze, he arrived 18 minutes ahead of his identical twin, Richard ’39. Their lives were closely entwined for the next 88 years. Early years included public schooling in So. San Francisco, music lessons and lots of sports, with weekend work at the garage at Lautze Ford, where they learned the value of a nickel. The twins were lured to Santa Clara University by offers of an academic scholarship and a work/study opportunity. They were thrilled to travel with the basketball team, whose victories earned them the title "Magicians of the Maplewood", and Robert a bum knee. The sports he so loved to play in his youth entertained him just as thoroughly in his Lazyboy in later years. Always good at "figures", Rob studied business at SCU, followed by a brief stint at Stanford, before he joined the workforce at Haskins and Sells in San Francisco. World War II began. A low draft number prompted the boys to join the Navy. Robert was called to active duty in July of 1941, completed officers training at Harvard, then served as Lt. Commander in the Pacific theatre on the USS Argonne. Long hours on the ship made him wickedly competitive at cards. At war's end, the twins joined George J. Kasch's accounting firm, which became Lautze & Lautze in 1956, and still maintains offices in San Francisco and San Jose. Civic involvement included the SF Kiwanis Club, volunteering for the Burn Wound Center at St. Francis Hospital, Hanna Boys Center, Little Sisters of the Poor and the Board of the Marianists Province. Robert married Alice McCarthy in 1944, moving to San Carlos in 1948, where they raised five children. A devout Catholic, St. Charles Church was pivotal in his life; he served as parish treasurer for many years, volunteered at the annual carnival, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. After Alice passed away in 1983, Rob married another parishioner, Patricia McCarthy Murphy, now Lautze, in 1984. Her care and companionship sustained him for the next 28 years. Rob was a devoted SCU alum, serving on the Board of Regents, Trustees, Athletic Affairs, and as President of the Alumni Association from 1971-72 (For more about his involvement with SCU, and winning the 1997 Louis I. Bannan, S.J. award, read http://www.scu.edu/scm/winter2004/broncoprofiles.cfm.); Robert also was a recipient of the Ignatian Award and the 2004 SCU Regent Emeritus. Beyond his many accomplishments, Robert will be most fondly remembered for his affable charm. He befriended many a waitress and flirted with his nurses and physical therapists well into his last days. To Robert, life was a "simple equation". He was also known to say, "If you have to pay taxes, be happy; it means you are making money". He counted his blessings often and out loud. His longevity made him a patriarch, special to Patty's sons, and a treasured uncle to nieces and nephews who lost their fathers too soon. Robert is survived by his wife, Patricia Murphy Lautze, his sister, Elizabeth (Lautze) Ervin, his children Karen Cleary '68 (Mark), Mary Garland '70 (Gary), Susie Savino '72 (Ken), Rob Lautze, Jr. (Shelly), Steve Lautze (Teresa), step-children, Michael Murphy (Natalie), Martin Murphy (Cheryl), Daniel Murphy; grandchildren Sean Cleary, Ted and Will Garland, Anna and Michael Savino, Sasha Trimble, Liam Lautze, Patrick Murphy. He was predeceased by his wife, Alice McCarthy Lautze, his twin brother, Richard, and his brother, Fred, Jr. The family is deeply grateful for the loving care and cheerful companionship provided by Tilila ("Tillie") Pita in Robert's final years.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/12/MNLAUTZERO051324.DTL#ixzz1uschQmY8

John Myron Hayes '39 passed peacefully in Aliso Viejo, California on May 27, 2009 at the age of 91. Known as Jack to family and friends, he is survived by his wife of 25 years, Charlotte. He was devoted to his children John Gardner, Kathleen Marie and Sarah Irene and to his stepchildren Andrea, John and William; proud grandfather to Alexa, Jordan, Jacqueline and Caitlin; delighted great-grandfather to Hayes Elizabeth. Mr. Hayes, a native Californian, graduated from Santa Clara University in 1939 with a degree in Business Administration. He began his career with Newhouse & Sayre, a division of the legendary Lloyds of London. After returning to the United States, he continued his representation for Lloyds and subsequently partnered the firm of Haidinger and Hayes. As an innovator and pioneer in the field of insurance and underwriting, he was known for his creativity and industry accomplishments. He ended his career as the Chairman and CEO of Transport Underwriters Association, Transport Indemnity Co. and Associated International Inc. In 1983, he was honored by the The City of Hope Hospital and Medical Center, The Insurance Council of California and the American Trucking Association for his lifetime of achievement.
 

Lt. Col. Joachim (Joe) J. Speciale '39 died on May 4, 2011 in San Jose after a brief illness. Joe was the husband of the late Shiela Ann Speciale and leaves his four children, Anita Speciale D'Alessio (Joseph), Stephen Speciale, Marina Darrin (David), and Joachim (Joey) Speciale: his sister, Rosalie Speciale; his grandchildren, Andrew Darrin, Katie Darrin, and Ynes Speciale-Pauli and David Pauli of Limburg, Belgium; and also his great granddaughter, Romie Sophia. Joe was a member of the Amici D'Oro Italian-American Club; Santa Clara University Alumni; Native Sons of the Golden West Parlor 22; the Santa Clara "39-ers" and St. Christopher's Parish in San Jose.  Born in San Jose's old O'Connor Hospital in 1918 to Anita and Orvis Speciale, Joe graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory and received his baccalaureate degree in 1939 from Santa Clara University. He was the youngest man to become an ROTC officer at Santa Clara at that time. Upon graduation he was commissioned in the US Army as an artillery officer and stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco and Ft. Ord before World War II, then later assigned to the "Pineapple Pentagon" in Honolulu after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. During Joe's career of 20 years in the US 6th Army, he and his family lived in Washington D.C., Germany, San Francisco, and Virginia. He also worked in the National War College and the Pentagon in Logistics with the US Army Quartermaster division on major projects in the 1950's to maintain a well-prepared military. One of his later assignments was to nuclear guided missile project development, the intent of which was to deter a possible WW3 based on the experiences of 1941. Meantime, Joe completed his law degree while serving in the Army, and after retiring from active duty in 1962 as a Lt. Colonel, he returned home to San Jose. He worked for the County of Santa Clara for many years, retiring as Clerk of the Court of Santa Clara County. After retirement, he helped launch and support the Casa Italiana community at Santa Clara University. Joe met his beloved Shiela in Honolulu in 1946, while she was working for the Department of the Army there. (In fact he was the choir director at the base chapel at Sand Island when she showed up one night for practice.) They shared a life-long love of Hawaii to which they traveled several times during their sixty years together.

Felicia Barbaccia, a resident of Willow Glen, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 29. She was predeceased by her loving husband Joseph Barbaccia '39, daughter Joelle, and sisters Helen Vallindras and Patricia McNally. She is survived by her daughters Felicia La Rose (husband Thomas L. La Rose '69, MBA '75) and Phyllis (Ken) Shapero, grandchildren Matt (Karolen) La Rose, Joelle (Dave) Rudder, Megan La Rose, Joe Shapero and Sara Shapero and great-grandchildren Alora, Liam, Ty and Lauren and many loving friends. Felicia was an active member of the St. Christopher's Ladies Guild, O'Connor Hospital Guild, the University of Santa Clara 39ers, and the Valle Monte League.

Arthur Eugene Ginocchio ’39 died July 7, 2011 at the age of 94. Born May 9, 1917 to Arthur and Flora Ginocchio in San Francisco. Attended St. Brigid's Grammar School, St. Ignatius High School and Santa Clara University where he received his Bachelors degree in Finance. Arthur spent over 3 years as a 1st Lt. in World War II with Patton's 3rd Army. He received an Honorable discharge in August of 1945. He married Gloria Zietich in 1947. Art worked along side his Father-in-law, Antone Zietich, at Tony's Quality Market for 25 years. Arthur and Gloria had four children, Terry, Gary, Jackie and Richard. Arthur was affectionately known as OPA or "The OPSTER" to his 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Arthur was a hard worker, great patriot, and tremendous Dad. His compassion, spirituality, clever humor and spontaneous wit set him apart as a special person who was loved by all who knew him. He shall be dearly missed by his friends and most of all by his loving family.

William Thomas Box '40 passed away quietly on September 20, 2009. He was 91 years old. Bill was born July 18, 1918 in Los Angeles and attended Loyola High School and graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1940. He married Mary Josephine Becka in 1941 in Hollywood, Calif., and had six children (Tom, John, Margaret, Paul, Steve and Jean). Mary Jo died in 1956. Bill married a widow and friend, Patricia Ryan Baxter, in 1958 and raised her three children (Tony, Robin and Mike Baxter). His son John died in Vietnam in 1969 and is remembered through a University of Santa Clara scholarship fund. Bill served in the Marine Corps from 1940-46 and, after completing officer training at Quantico, fought in Guadalcanal, New Georgia and Okinawa. His units received five battle stars and two Presidential Citations. At the end of the war, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Like so many of his generation, he did not like to talk about his experiences in the war. Bill said that the most terrifying time of his life was the invasion of Okinawa. In a recent book by members of his unit detailing their exploits in the South Pacific, he was referred to by the other soldiers as "Sweet William or Wild Bill" depending on his demeanor at the time. Returning to civilian life he worked, as did his father and grandfather, in the oil business in Los Angeles. Bill participated with the DuPont Company in the innovative implementation of the bazooka in perforating oil wells; the basic process is still in use today. He told harrowing stories of testing these explosives in remote oil fields in the Rocky Mountains. Later through hard work, perseverance and intelligent decisions, he became operating manager of BJ Services, an oil service company, and finally the Chairman of the Board of Trico Industries. One of his proudest moments was when he took the company public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1978. He retired in 1984. Supporting and raising a family of nine kids was no easy job for Bill or Pat but somehow with the right amount of structure, discipline and love, they were successful in raising self-reliant children who have stayed close. One of Bill's most important goals during the last 15 years of his life was to maintain family unity through biennial family reunions. While the reunions will continue, we will miss him greatly. He was always active in his church, St. John Fisher, in Rancho Palos Verdes. He became a Eucharistic Minister and always an active participant in the Seekers and other Catholic groups. Bill, before and after his wife Pat's passing in 2003, traveled widely, seeing new places, old friends and his many children and grandchildren. He loved to attend his Marine Corps, Loyola High School and Santa Clara University annual reunions. Bill loved business. After retiring he took great pride in his business rentals and managing his stock portfolio. In 2006 he moved to Idaho to be near his daughter and son. Later he moved nearby to Washington where he lived in an independent retirement community and later to the Spokane Veterans Home ,where he passed away. He tirelessly professed the values of hard work and education. He demanded the best of those around him, had a heart of gold and was a true gentleman. He was loving, kind, generous, intelligent, and supportive of his grandchildren. He was a great husband, father, grandpa and friend to many, and we will miss him dearly. He is survived by his eight loving children, and his eleven grandchildren (Carolynn Box, Buck Palmer, Heather Box, Jess Box, Martin Box, John Box, Devin Baxter, Nikki Van Vlymen, Elly Berstein, Sam Box and David Berstein) and numerous nieces and nephews who all looked up to and loved grandpa.