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1940
Robert Joseph O'Connor '40 — Born March 7, 1919, was a native of San Francisco, but resided in Palo Alto. He married Rita Mary O'Grady in August of 1942, before leaving for 2 1/2 years to serve as a Captain in the Army Air Corps in Africa and Italy during WWII. He worked all his life as a chemist. Robert and Rita raised 6 children before opening their home to more than 200 long term patients from Stanford Hospital and the VA hospital. Robert loved music and played the piano, saxophone, and clarinet. One of his greatest passions was the music of the big band era, which he shared with everyone around him. His greatest passion in life was his wife Rita and his children. He will be remembered for his wit, generosity and kindness. He is survived by his wife Rita of 69 years, 5 daughters, O'Malley, JoJo O'Connor '69, Christine, Patty, Kellie, and son, Rob. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren Lt. Scott Stafford '00 and 3 great grandchildren.
Edward D. S. Sullivan '40 passed away at home on January 12, 2010. Born on February 24, 1918, he was a native of Virginia City, Nev. Edward served in the Army Air Force starting just before World War II. He saw action in Africa, Sicily, Greece, and Rome where, as Colonel Sullivan, he was appointed liaison to the Vatican. Upon retiring from the Air Force, he prepared to become a college educator by attending Oxford University and the University of California at Santa Barbara (M.A. and Ph.D). He retired as Emeritus Professor of English Literature at San Diego State University in 1983. Sullivan then volunteered to teach English for two years in China at Wuhan University, where he was a principal founder of the Wuhan Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the financial assistance of Chinese students seeking education in America. These endeavors led to Sullivan's long and deep friendships with many Chinese students who traveled from afar to visit him on birthdays and holidays. Edward is survived by his cousins in the Reno, Nev., area and will always be remembered by his many colleagues and friends, who will miss him greatly.
Andre T. 'Andy' 'Bogie' Bogart '40 on May 3, 2009 in Napa, Calif. Andy was born on November 30, 1916, in San Francisco and moved to Saratoga, Calif., at age 13. He was a longtime member of the Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department, fighting his first fire at age 17 and later retiring as captain after decades of service. During World War II, Andy served in the United States Army Air Corps, meeting Betty while stationed in Virginia. Andy and Betty were married on November 20, 1945 in Ft. Worth, Texas. Andy and Betty returned to Saratoga where Andy began work at the NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field. After retirement, he coordinated the work study program at the Foothill Junior College District and enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling with the trailer group, and woodworking, all while rebuilding an unknown number of Volkswagen engines.
1941
John A. “Jack” Petrich '41, a Tacoma native and World War II veteran who served Washington as a state legislator and Court of Appeals judge, passed away January 7, 2010 at the age of 90. Petrich also served as a Pierce County deputy prosecutor and was Western Washington coordinator for John F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential campaign. Son Peter Petrich said his father loved politics but respected people with other political, social and religious beliefs. “As a result, he himself commanded respect,” Petrich said. Petrich said his father “passed away peacefully” at Tacoma General Hospital. Jack Petrich was born in 1919 in Tacoma, a member of the pioneering Petrich shipbuilding family. He graduated from Bellarmine High School and in 1941 from Santa Clara University. Upon graduating from college, he entered the U.S. Navy’s Officers School at Columbia University. He ended his naval career in 1946 as commander of a mine sweeper in the South Pacific. Peter Petrich said his father was stationed in Japan after the war and admired the country’s shipbuilding prowess. “He respected them for their ability, even though he just concluded four years fighting them,” he said. After the war he attended Georgetown Law School, graduating in 1949. He joined the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and was later named chief criminal deputy. In 1954 he launched a private practice with partner John Binns. A Democrat, Petrich served in the Legislature from 1956-66, first in the House and later the Senate, representing the 26th District in Pierce County. He served as Kennedy’s regional campaign coordinator in 1960 and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. In 1980 then-Gov. Dixy Lee Ray appointed him as a judge on the state Court of Appeals, Division II. He served in that position until his retirement at age 73 in 1993. In 1947 he married Margaret Horan, and the couple raised six children. She died in 1967. Petrich married Ann-Louise Griewe Soper in 1971. After his retirement, Petrich tended to business interests and focused on his family, his son said. He often held court at his Fox Island summer home. Petrich was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tacoma and served on numerous boards, commissions and advisory groups over the years.
James Bowen Wilcox ’41, March 13, 1920, to November 19, 2012.
Harry G. "Paw-Paw" Sanders '41 went Home to be with the Lord June 3, 2010 after a brief battle with cancer. He served honorably in the United States Air Force for 30 years and retired a Colonel. Harry is survived by his wife, Thelma J. Sanders, to whom he was married for 68 years; children Steve Sanders and wife Miriam of Carbondale, Illinois, Russell Sanders, Kathy Hodgin Kennedy and husband Mike, and Susy Marr; grandchildren Charles Sanders and wife Shea, Adrianne Hodgin, Marissa Infante and husband Rodney, Rusty Sanders, and Rachael Bingham and husband Chris; great-grandchildren Caitlyn, Madison, and Dominic Sanders, and Jacob Infante.
1942
Robert McDonald, Nov. 15, 2008. A native of Reno, he attended SCU until he joined the Army Air Corps in 1941 as a second lieutenant. He was a member of the 54th Fighter Squadron that was sent to the Aleutian Islands in June of 1942, two days after Dutch Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. He flew a P-38 over Kiska on many missions, wrecking a couple of planes before he shot down a Zero in October 1942. As a major, he became a squadron commander in the 46th Squadron, where he flew P-51s off Iwo Jima. After World War II, he attended the University of Nevada, then the University of San Francisco Law School. He graduated in 1949, and became a member of the Nevada Bar Association that same year. He began his legal career as a deputy attorney general and later became a deputy U.S. attorney. In 1952, he entered private practice in Reno with Alan Bible, who became a U.S. senator in 1954. They remained partners until the U.S. Senate adopted rules prohibiting lawyer members from maintaining private law practices. He later formed McDonald Carano Wilson LLP and founded several of Northern Nevada's most successful gaming companies and was a principal in the development of Incline Village. He was also a board member of Valley Bank of Nevada, an original partner of Boomtown and at the time of his death, part owner of Bonanza Casino. He was active in the Democratic National Committee and in his community, starting the Junior Ski Program, establishing a Pop Warner football program, as well as the Northern Nevada chapter of the National Association of Christians and Jews. He is survived by three children and 10 grandchildren.
Col. Raymond K. Lutz. Col. (USAF Ret.) '42 passed away on Nov. 9, 2009 at home. He was 89 years old.
Martin Thomas "Marty" Fredericks '42, born May 12, 1921, in Petaluma, died suddenly of heart failure in Sonoma, his home of many years, on Father's Day, June 20, 2010, at the age of 89. The son of Martin T. Fredericks Sr. and Mary Cline Fredericks, his family has lived in Sonoma County since after the Civil War. After attending St. Vincent's grammar and high schools in Petaluma, he was educated by the Jesuits at Santa Clara University. He served in the United States Navy from 1942-46 in the Aleutians and the South Pacific. He was the Naval Attache to the United States delegation at the creation of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1946. He worked in the agricultural division of Pfizer Inc. for 32 years in San Francisco, Tokyo, New York and Sonoma. As a young man, he remembers driving on a dirt road between Petaluma and Sonoma to visit his uncle, Dr. Fred Butler, superintendent of Sonoma Developmental Center; and his cousin Peggy Butler McAleese. Marty and Mary were well-traveled, having visited every continent except Antarctica. Notable quote: "The smartest thing I ever did was marry that woman." Martin is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary O'Brien Fredericks, of Sonoma; he is also survived by his children, Marty, Jim, Tom, and Bill Fredericks and Ann Fredericks Jauco.
James Denver Rickert '42 passed away April 10, 2011 just a few days past his 93rd birthday. He was born in Greenville, Penn. on April 2, 1918 to George and Florence Rickert. Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eva, and his sons Jim (Mary), Randy (Debbie), and David (Joel), and daughter Jan (Buck) Anderson. He is also survived by sisters-in-laws Ruth and Elizabeth Rickert and brother-in-law Gil Doss, 9 nephews and nieces, 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his brothers Duke and Bud and niece Kay. Jim's father George moved his young family to California in the early 1920s looking for a better life than he had in Pennsylvania. The family constantly moved throughout California looking for that opportunity, finally settling in Shasta County in the early 1940s. For all of Jim's life he was part of a family partnership with his wife, father, mother, brothers Duke and Bud and sisters-in-law Ruth and Elizabeth. All that time was spent in the cattle business that included the family cattle ranch in Bella Vista and Rickert Meat Company in Cottonwood. Jim was an All-American basketball center for an outstanding basketball team at Santa Clara University in the early '40s and is a member of the Santa Clara Sports Hall of Fame. After college he played for a professional basketball team, the Sacramento Senators, and for many years played town team ball in Sutter and Shasta counties. Jim was also very active in community activities. He was a Cottonwood Fire District director for 30 years and as a trustee on the Cottonwood Elementary and Anderson High School districts for over 35 years. Jim loved to work in his garden, gold mining, walking at the ranch with his dogs, playing cards, going to high school basketball/football games, track meets and talking about and being with his family.
Herman R. Roesti, June 3, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and two children.
Grover James O’Connor Jr. '42 passed away at age 90 in the early hours of April 1, 2009, at his home in Windsor, Calif., following a short bout with pancreatic cancer. Grover was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco, on Nov. 4, 1918, during the closing days of World War I. His parents were Grover James O’Connor Sr. and Garbrielle Cabrera. He was a third generation Californian. Grover Jr. grew up in San Francisco during the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression. He attended Most Holy Redeemer Elementary School in San Francisco, then University of Santa Clara in 1942. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, he took a job with Philco Corp. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the World War II he served his country by working on the development of airborne radar, a top secret project at the time. In 1946 he married Camelia Lucy Doménech in Philadelphia and moved to Los Angeles, California in 1948 where for nearly 40 years he worked as an aerospace engineer doing Research and Development for the satellite division of Hughes Aircraft Corp. before retiring in 1989 at age 71. He is survived by his wife Camelia Doménech O’Connor; his children Eileen O’Connor Casanova, Eugene R. O’Connor, Lee A. O’Connor, and Dennis E. O’Connor; his grandchildren Nicole Casanova Best, Rick Casanova, Christopher O’Connor, Catalina O’Connor and Brenda O’Connor; his step-grandson Fernando Ramos; his son-in-law Joaquin Casanova and his daughters-in-law Silvia Sánchez O’Connor and Isabel Bonet O’Connor; as well as his brother Gerald O’Connor and sister Madeleine O’Connor.
Frank R. Petersen '42 passed away peacefully on January 16, 2009, at home surrounded by his family. Frank was born February 10, 1919 in Reno, Nev. He was raised by his mother, Louise, who was blind. Frank graudated with honors form Reno High School in 1937. He was elected to the Reno High School Hall of Fame for football and basketball. He was offered football scholarships to many universities across the nation and chose Santa Clara University. He was the first student from Reno High School to play big-time college football. He was coached by Buck Shaw and assistant coach Len Casanova, both in the college football Hall of Fame. Frank played right halfback for the Broncos. The Broncos faced and beat the likes of Purdue, Michigan State, Stanford, California, Oklahoma, and UCLA while he was there. From 1937 to 1942 the Broncos were ranked 15th or better in the Associated Press final polls. Frank was commissioned in the Army after he graduated in the summer of 1942 and later transferred to the Army Air Corps, in which he served until after the end of World War II. Frank attained the rank of captain and piloted a B-17 aircraft, which he named RENO-vation. He flew more than 60 combat missions in the European and Pacific theaters during the war, including three on D-Day. He received the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross. After being discharged, Frank went to law school at the University of San Francisco and returned to Reno to start his law practice in 1950. He enjoyed a successful and distinguished career. He was joined in his practice by his son, Steven '69, in 1972. His warmth and humor will be remembered as well as his endeavors to help people form all walks of life. Frank is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vera; his son, Steven (Gayle); granddaughter, Lisa Petersen; granddaughter, Carly Garamendi (Michael) and great-grandchildren, Maggie and Will Garamendi.
Alex J. Hart '42, the final family owner of Hart's Department Stores, died peacefully on Aug. 8 in Saratoga, one month and a day shy of his 90th birthday.No single word can describe Mr. Hart. He was a philanthropist, a businessman, a civic and community leader, a social arbiter, a charming host, a gentleman and a friend to many. "Whatever Alex did, he did so well," says Leigh Weimers, a longtime friend. "I always thought Alex was a consummate gentleman, always well spoken and well groomed. If his goal was to sell menswear, he did a beautiful job of being the model himself. You wanted to buy something to make yourself look as good as Alex Hart." Judy Goldeen recalls knowing Mr. Hart from childhood, as he was a friend of her parents, the late Don and Jane Goldeen. "Alex was a sweet, dear man who loved a good party," she says. Goldeen recalls that when she and the late Steffi Sims would go to brunch with Mr. Hart, "He was always dressed to the nines and treated us as though we were the most important ladies in his life." Mr. Hart was born in San Jose on Sept. 9, 1920, the second son of Alex J. Hart Sr. and Nettie Brooke Hart. His grandfather Leopold Hart arrived in San Jose from his native Alsace Lorraine and opened his first dry goods and clothing store in 1866. In 1902 he was successful enough to launch L. Hart & Son Department Store in downtown San Jose, which by 1920 was the largest department store between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It was Mr. Hart's older brother, Brooke, who was groomed to take over the helm of the store, but everything changed on Nov. 9, 1933, when Brooke Hart was kidnapped as he left the family store, then brutally murdered. His two kidnappers were taken from their jail cells by an angry mob, carried across the street to St. James Park and lynched. The incident made headlines across the United States and Europe. The Hart family was much loved in the community, and in his award-winning book on the subject, Swift Justice, the late Harry Farrell wrote that his murderers "could have chosen no victim whose popularity and place in the community would more surely guarantee the violent retribution that followed."Mr. Hart was 13 at the time, and his older brother was 22. He was sent to San Rafael Military Academy, returning to San Jose to attend Santa Clara University. Mr. Hart was living in Los Angeles and writing music for Paramount Pictures when his father died in 1943, and he returned to San Jose to take over the family store at the corner of Market and Santa Clara streets. Theo Hart says he believes his father would have preferred a career writing musicals to haberdashery, but he wouldn't shirk his family responsibilities. In 1944 Mr. Hart married Iphigenia Papavosiliou, a native of Greece. They met at a party in Berkeley, where she was attending the University of California. They had three sons, Brooke, A.J. and Theo, later divorcing. Theo Hart says that while his father was well known, what was unknown were the many things he did for others. "My father brought the first traffic stoplight to downtown at Market and Santa Clara, so pedestrians would have the right of way to cross the busy streets," he says. "He was a great philanthropist. He donated the property at Naglee and The Alameda where the YMCA sits. It was his father's house and where he grew up." Hart also praises his father as a style innovator. "He was very big on making Hart's a fashion place. My grandfather didn't do that. Dad really brought the style and panache. "He loved art and style and form, and he brought that to San Jose." If Mr. Hart made any mistake, it was in his emotional loyalty to downtown San Jose, says his son. "The worst decision he made in his career was not moving from downtown to be the anchor store at Valley Fair shopping center," Hart says. "Everyone begged him not to do it, and he made an emotional decision not to leave downtown. That was the precursor to his business not remaining competitive with the malls." Mr. Hart expanded from downtown to open stores in Sunnyvale in 1957, followed by Hart's Mayfield Mall in Mountain View and Hart's Westgate in San Jose. He sold the stores in 1976, but remained with the company to ensure a successful transition and to make sure his loyal employees were taken care of.The camaraderie of Hart's employees was such that they held annual reunions for many years after the stores closed in the early 1980s. "They were usually at the Three Flames on Meridian," Hart says. "I used to go to them with my father, but then everybody started passing away." Following his retirement in 1981, Mr. Hart traveled, but the lure of merchandising brought him back to work for a few more years. In a 2000 interview with journalist Paul Lukes, Mr. Hart said, "After our store closed, I got bored. I knew retail, so I talked to my friend Nick Sands at I. Magnin. "After I assured him I didn't want his job, he hired me to work in better jewelry and handbags. I just loved it." Mr. Hart lived in many homes over the years, including ones in San Jose, Los Gatos and Saratoga. Hart says his father moved in with him and his family nine years ago, and in 2007 he moved into Our Lady of Fatima Villa in Saratoga. There he continued to be a positive influence and helpful to others. Randi Kinman remembers the friendship he extended to her mother Marcy Kinman when she moved there in December 2009. "His friendship and humor were the keys to her easy transition to living in a new situation," says Kinman, who escorted Mr. Hart to the 50-year anniversary celebration of the Central YMCA in October 2009. In addition to his support of the Y, Mr. Hart was a past president of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, a supporter of St. Elizabeth's Day Home, San Jose Symphony, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Santa Clara Youth Center. He was also active with Rotary, Elks and the Native Sons of the Golden West.Mr. Hart is survived by his sons Brooke and his wife, Marcia, of Madera; A.J. and his wife, Linda, of Almaden Valley; Theo and his wife, Vicki, of Saratoga; 10 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
1943
Victor Kramer '43 on January 17, 2010. Victor, a retired real estate broker, was born in Phoenix, Ariz., and lived there all his life. He was an Army Veteran of WWII and Korea. He was a member of Post #1 American Legion, VFW #720, DAV #1, and Military Order of Purple Heart #463, Emeritus of Arizona, Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta, Charter member of Phi Sigma Alpha at ASU, graduate of Santa Clara University, member of Phoenix Press Club, the Church Club, and a devoted member of St. Mary’s Church.
Fr. James Ganahl '43, age 88, of Corona, passed away Saturday, February 13, 2010. Fr. Jim was born in Corona, CA, the fifth of six children of Alphonse and Myra Ganahl. Fr. Jim graduated from Corona high in 1939. He earned his degree in electrical engineering from the University of Santa Clara in 1943. He entered the U.S. Navy Reserves in 1944. During his service in Pearl Harbor, HI, he assisted in landing a fleet record 545 planes in one day. He separated from the service in 1946 as a Lieutenant. From 1947 to 1949 he lived and worked in Los Angeles, staying at the boarding house run by “Ma Byrne.” It was there that he established some of his closest, lifelong friendships. Fr. Jim was ordained a priest on May 19, 1956 at the Cathedral for the dioceses of San Diego. He served in a number of parishes in San Diego and San Bernardino counties. After retirement in 1987 he continued to serve as hospital chaplain in the High Desert. Fr. Jim returned to Corona in 2004 in order to enjoy his final years visiting with family and friends. Occasionally he worked in a round of golf. Fr. Jim was preceded in death by his brothers, John, Paul, Joe, and Francis (Sonny) and sister, Mary Ryan. He is survived by his sister-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. His welcoming smile and loving kindness will be greatly missed by his family, friends and former parishioners.
Michael A. Filice '43 died April 3, 2011. Born in 1921 in Gilroy, CA. A Marine in WW II where he received a letter of commendation for serving his country in the Battle on Iwo Jima. He worked in the canning industry for over 40 years beginning with family-owned Filice & Perrelli Canning Company until retiring as VP of Production for California Canners and Growers in 1981. He and his wife, Corrinne, spent their retirement years in Aptos, CA. He was 89 years old.
Marian Pauletich '43 passed away on November 2, 2008. She is survived by her children, Dennis and Delsa.
Lyman C. Lundell '43 died on April 19, 2009.
Lorenzo "Larry" Abrusci ’43, a resident of Alameda, chose Nov. 24, 2012, a beautiful and sunny day to pass from this life to the next at 92 years old. Several generations of family and friends called him "Papa." Larry was born in Oakland, Calif. on July 20, 1920 to Frank and Rosa Abrusci. He attended Castlemont High School in Oakland. Larry briefly attended Santa Clara University then went to serve our country in WWII, in the early ’40s. He was a 1st Lieutenant Bombardier flying in B-17's. Larry completed over 65 missions and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war he farmed on Bay Farm Island in Alameda, and then proceeded to become a successful business man in Oakland as an owner of City Tire and A-Tire. Larry is survived by his devoted wife Lily Abrusci, his daughters Penny Stevens and Vicki Silveira, his son-in-laws Alex Stevens and Rich Silveira, his step children Danny Beconcini and Carol Weston, his grandchildren Debbie Gunning and Tracy Silveira, and his great-grandchildren Cooper and Alexandra Gunning. Larry was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Abrusci, his grandson Mark Stevens, and his sisters Isabel Reicks and Irene Sindicich.
John M. Kennedy Jr. '43 on March 23, 2009. A third generation native San Franciscan, John was born on July 31, 1921. "Jack" attended St. Ignatius Prep, then graduated from Santa Clara University. He joined the army as a First Lieutenant in World War II and served as an artillery pilot with the Seventh Army in the European Theatre. Upon his discharge he joined the family firm of Kennedy-ten Bosch, Printers & Lithographers, and later became president of the company. He was a member of the San Francisco Rotary Club, the San Francisco Advertising Club, and the downtown Olympic Club. He was a former member of the Presidio and California Golf Clubs and a current member of the Meadow Club of Fairfax. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marilyn Dana Kennedy, daughter Dana Kennedy Kimsey (Michael), sons John and Brian (Deborah Bjonerud) and grandchildren John Michael Kimsey, and Taylor, Jill and Alex Kennedy, his brother Richard Kennedy of Greenbrae, and his beloved four-legged companion, Max. He was predeceased by his daughters Kathy and infant Frances. He was a gentleman of honor, integrity, unlimited but gentle humor and blessed with a true Irish Tenor Voice. He is terribly missed by his family and vast array of Friends. "May the road rise to meet you, may the winds be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields, and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand."
John Anthony Chiment ’43, Lt. Colonel (retired), passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 21, 2012. John was born in Dunsmuir California on Oct. 7, 1921, the oldest son of Giuseppe and Angelina Chiment. He graduated from Dunsmuir High School in 1939, received a bachelor's degree, maxima cum laude, from Santa Clara University in 1943 and master's degree in nuclear physics from Princeton University in 1949. After a 21-year career in the Army, he obtained a J.D. degree from Western State University in 1974. He worked with Gulf General Atomics and Hughes Network Systems until his retirement in 1991. John was very active with the Rancho Bernardo Lion's Club, serving as the Chairman of the Sight Committee. He worked tirelessly to provide free eye examinations and prescription glasses for children and adults in need. John was also active with the St. Michael's Catholic Church Knights of Columbus. John was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Fides Chiment; six children, nine grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
George Falkenthal '43 on December 29, 2009.
Eugene Edward Kloppenburg '43, devoted husband and father of six, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 90 on November 12, 2009, in Sacramento, Calif. Eugene was born in San Francisco to Eugene C. and Ana Belford Kloppenburg on May 11, 1919. He was buried at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California, on November 19, 2009. Gene is survived by his wife Vera; his children Ruth Olivas, Susan Price, Peter, Anne, Jane and Thomas; his son-in-law Ralph Price; his grandchildren Jason, Cynthia, Sarah, and Susie; and his great-grandchildren Sayde, Elsa, Eli and Eden. Gene, a third-generation Californian, graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco and attended Santa Clara University where his engineering studies were cut short by his decision to enlist in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet. He later went on to serve in the European Theatre of World War II as a communications officer with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. After returning from overseas in 1946 to his young wife of three years, his beloved Vera, and his first-born child, he resumed his job with Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co. begun one year prior to his enlistment, and remained with the company until his retirement in 1977 as a staff engineer. Of the many jobs Gene held after retirement from Pacific Telephone, his last job at Emigh Hardware gave him the most joy and satisfaction. Gene was a gifted pianist and vocalist, and an accomplished illustrator and draftsman. He had a passion for building and woodworking - creating bookcases, furniture, patios, and landscapes, even building his own stereo system; and a great love for growing things - fruit, vegetables, and flower gardens of exquisite beauty. He also developed and printed his own photographs and enjoyed sailing his Santana 20 on Folsom Lake with his son and daughters. Gene was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He was courageous, compassionate, and selfless to his last day. His lifelong devotion was always to his family and his home.
