Santa Clara Magazine

Joyce Marilyn McLean ’79 died Dec. 13,  2011. A resident of Los Gatos, Joyce,  the oldest child of John and Bertha Ellman, was born in Chicago,  attended the University of Chicago Laboratory School ,followed by the University of Chicago College, and earned a Hutchins BA at the age of 18 and a master's in Learning Disabilities from the University of Santa Clara. In 1959 with husband Doug and, at the time, three children, she moved to Perth, Australia, for three years. In Perth her social activism and concern for the treatment of Australian aborigines led her to the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), an organization started in 1915 in response to the horrors of WWI. On return to the U.S. in San Jose and Santa Cruz, she continued work with WILPF for 50 more years with stints as an office holder both for U.S. WILPF and on the executive committee of International WILPF. Through the Vietnam War,  she participated in weekly vigils at the San Jose Induction Center. In May 1966,  long before the mass protests, she and three other women, the “Napalm Ladies,” in an act of civil disobedience, blocked the loading of napalm destined for Vietnam. In a jury trial for “interfering with lawful business,” the defense was permitted to introduce into evidence the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 and the Nuremberg Judgments establishing the case that use of napalm violated International Law. The jury found them guilty. As a speaker at a subsequent demonstration organized from Stanford University at the port of Redwood City,  she was interviewed by New York Times’ Tom Wicker, who recounted the profound impact of their conversation that spurred him to investigate and report on the breadth of the peace movement and the moral injustice of the war. Pete Seeger wrote and recorded two songs about the Napalm Ladies. Joyce, now raising six children, taught at night in volunteer programs for English learners. In the mid-seventies,  she was elected to serve on an all-women school board of the Loma Prieta School District. In less than one term, they were recalled for,  among other things, “trying to ram excellence down the throats of the community.” She, with a partner, went on to run a successful business where they tutored clients from the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Governor Jerry Brown's first term reorganization of the Department put an end to that. She ran a school for a group home before becoming a coordinator and teacher for the Santa Cruz County Volunteer Center's ESL Program until health issues forced her retirement. In 1995, with hundreds of other women from a dozen countries, she rode on a WILPF organized Peace Train from Helsinki to Beijing through Russia,  Belarus,  Romania,  Bulgaria,  Turkey,  Kazakhstan,  and China,  meeting with local peace activists and engaging them in workshops on the train. Joyce was an inveterate writer of Letters to the Editor. She read history,  biography,  sociology, and politics at a rate of two books per week. She was a devotee of Amy Goodman's Democracy Now. Joyce, especially as a Jew, was passionate about Israel-Palestine and Palestinian rights and was appalled by Israeli policy and that it was facilitated by the U.S. Quick witted, eager for discussion and debate with ready humor, a wonderful wife and mother, Joyce was our family's moral compass. Knowing that she was near death, which she accepted as a blessing, she brought us together for her final days to say goodbye. Immediate survivors are husband Doug, children Debra,  Ken,  Ruth,  Rebecca,  and David,  twelve grandchildren,  brother Michael and his children Bruce and Carol.

John Marvin Langholff '79 passed away on June 5, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. Beloved son of Marianne Langholff Morrisey and the late Marvin Langholff '58. Loving father of Daniel and Allison Langholff. Dearest brother of Mary Anne (Bill) Delaney '72, Joanie (Tom) Biniek '73, Nancy '76 and his twin brother Jim (Joan) Langholff. Graduate of St. Christophers, Bellarmine College Prep and Santa Clara University where he played Rugby. John loved to barbecue for family and friends and was an avid fan of the 49ers and Giants. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

James A. ‘Jim’ Roberts '74, Ph.D. '79, 65, passed away September 5, 2009, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, after a courageous bout with cancer. He was born on March 11, 1944, in Vandalia, Ill., the son of James and Marjorie ('Toad') Roberts, both of whom preceded him in death. Jim grew up in Chanute where he graduated from Chanute High School in 1962 as student body president. He attended the University of Kansas, where he joined the Sigma Nu fraternity and became commander. He graduated in 1966 with a BS in Electrical Engineering, graduating first in his class. Jim moved to the Boston area, where he worked for RCA on the NASA Apollo moon mission project. During this time, he also attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1968. In 1969, Jim moved to the Silicon Valley area, where he worked in the high-tech aerospace industry until 1983. While in Northern California, Jim obtained his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University. In 1983, Jim moved to the Denver area where he took over the management of a major aerospace project for TRW Inc., (now part of Northrup Grumman). He eventually became the manager of TRW-Denver. In 1990, he fulfilled a life- long dream and returned to Lawrence to become professor and Chairman of the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Kansas. Beginning in January 1998, Jim served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Public Service and later as Associate Vice- Provost. He was the vice-provost for research from 2003 until 2007. In 2007, he returned to teaching as a full- time professor. During his time at KU, Jim also served as the president and chief operating officer of the KU Center for Research, Inc., and on Senator Pat Roberts' Advisory Committee on Science, Technology, and the Future. Among his numerous other professional, civic, and charitable activities, Jim served on the founding board of the Douglas County ECO2 Commission, the committee that wrote the Douglas County Bioscience Plan. He also served as president of the board of Big Brothers of Denver, president of the noon Kiwanis in Lawrence, and a fellow in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Personal interests included reading, genealogy, collecting Russian stamps, and spending time with family and friends at Grand Lake, Okla. He was particularly proud of his personal library, his ability to mix a great martini, and most importantly, his family. Jim married his childhood sweetheart, Carol Diane Helton, in June 1965. Other survivors include his son, Mike Roberts and his wife Anita of Overland Park, Kan.; his daughter, Sally Roberts Gorzelanski and her husband Mike of Littleton, Colo.; his four grandchildren, Abby Roberts, Jake Roberts, Max Gorzelanski and Hank Gorzelanski; his sister, Nancy Castellucci; his parents-in- law, Bill and Barbara Helton; his brother- in-law, Richard Helton and his wife Mechalina; his sister-in-law, Joan Myers and her husband Ken; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Isamu "Sam" Yoshida J.D. ’79 passed away peacefully July 4, 2012 at the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital in California. He was born in Nagoya, Japan, in December 1945 and permanently moved to the U.S. with his mother, stepfather and siblings in 1960. He graduated in 1964 from Rancho High School in Las Vegas, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from March 1966 to December 1968. Sam was wounded in Vietnam, in the harrowing hill fighting during the first battle of Khe Sanh, in the spring of 1967 by exploding shrapnel which left him with a small blind spot in his right eye.

In 1972, he married Gail Etsuko Hiroshima, a native of San Francisco, in a civil ceremony in Las Vegas. During his 40 years of marriage, he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1973 with a B.S. Degree from the College of Engineering, received his Professional Engineer's License Civil in Engineering in 1976, graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1979, and passed the California State BAR Examination in 1979. Besides being a member of the California State BAR, he was also a member of The American Society of Civil Engineers, American Military Engineers Society, Wilderness Unlimited, and had briefly been a participating member of Rotary International.

His career path led him to work at the following institutions and businesses: Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Western Division in San Bruno, Calif.; Officer in Charge of Construction Yokosuka, Japan, as Head of Acquisition; Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwestern Division San Diego, as Director of Contracts, General Services Administration (GSA), as Director of Contracts; GSA, as Director of Real Estate; Parsons Brinckerhoff San Jose office, as Contracts Manager; Los Angeles Unified School District, as Director of Facilities Contracts; Seville Group, Inc. as Senior VP and General Counsel; and finally back at Parsons Brinckerhoff International Engineering Firm San Francisco as Legal Manager, Western Region.

He was preceded in passing by his mother, Mitsuko Yoshida Lauver; brother, HN James Lauver, USN; and stepfather, TSgt John T. Lauver, USAF. Sam is survived by his devoted and dearly beloved wife, Gail; beloved companion cat, Velvet; and his loving family, sister, Bonnie (Hugh) Murtaugh; niece, Erin; and nephews, Devin and Bryan; brother, Jan (Barbie) Lauver J.D. ’81; and nephews, John-Matthew and James; brother, Dennis (Karen) Lauver; and nieces, Rebecca and Meghan.

One of the last things he told Gail was that he was eternally grateful for his wonderful life and all the many precious and lasting relationships that he had made since his middle school years in Japan. 

Gerald A. Kimble Jr. J.D. ’79, 69, died September 21, 2012, in Colorado Springs. A retired Naval Officer and Attorney, he was born on August 26, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio to Gerald and Katurah Kimble. Jerry graduated in Engineering Physics from the University of Kansas, 1969, and was promoted from enlisted to Naval Officer, serving 21 years as a Naval Flight Officer, retiring as Lt. Commander. He earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Santa Clara,1979, and practiced as a Prosecutor for the District Attorney, as a County Attorney prosecuting child abuse and neglect; and for both offices started recovery of welfare fraud and collections for arrears of child support. During private practice, he fought to end child abuse as Guardian ad Litem for abused or neglected children and disabled adults. He proudly served as the first board President of Pikes Peak Family Connections, teaching nurturing classes for court ordered families and establishing KPC Kid's Place, a crisis respite center for children. During his illness, he volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate to continue his work against abuse. In 2009, the El Paso County Bar honored him with the Lohman Award for his work to protect children. Surviving him are his wife, Cheryl Kimble, daughter, Jami Kimble and her husband Evan McLain, his two grandsons, Colm and Rafferty McLain, as well as his siblings, JoAn, Fleda, Phyllis, Jean, June, Harold, Roger, Tom, Vicky, and Jim. 

Edward Durkin Helms '79, born in Modesto, Calif., on May 14, 1957, to Leo T. and Maryclare Helms, passed in Roseville, Calif., September 25, 2009. The family moved to Tracy in 1963, and Ed attended St. Bernard's and Jefferson Elementary and Tracy High School where he was Student Body President in 1974-75. Ed graduated from Santa Clara University in 1979. Ed was an avid skier and hiker in his youth. He went to work and later became a principal in Helms Tractor Company, a local family farm equipment dealership. He subsequently became a Stock Broker specializing in bonds. He resided in Roseville since 1988. He is preceded in death by his father Leo T. Helms and survived by his sons Edward and Colton, mother Maryclare Helms, his brother Lee (Kathrina), sister Elizabeth (Bruce Rohrer) niece Kiley and nephew Ryan. Ed loved people and his life was his boys. He was deeply involved in the lives of Colton and Edward.

Corazon Tamayo '79 on March 21, 2009.

 Charles A. Graziani '43 on August 30, 2008.  He is survived by his father, Charles Graziani.

Roberta T. Kuguenko J.D. '80 on June 18, 2009.

Ricardo Ivan Ramirez '80 on Oct. 25, 2008. A native of San Cristobal, Venezuela, he earned a bachelor of science degree in finance at SCU. He is survived by his wife, Susan, and two children.

Patricia Marie Boyd ’80 died on March 18, 2010 at the age of 76. Born November 28, 1933, she was a resident of Berkeley, Calif.

Maude D. Hunt '80 died May 12, 2009.

Kelley Ann Farrell '80 passed away on May 1, 2011 at age 53. She was preceded in death by her beloved father Joseph '51 and leaves behind her loving mother Margaret, best friend and sister Shannon Farrell-Hart '81, caring brother-in-law, Jamie and very special nephew, Joey. She is also survived by numerous cousins and cherished friends. Kelley graduated from Santa Clara University and University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. A lifelong resident of Sacramento, Kelley began her law career at Hanna, Brophy, Maclean, McAleer, and Jensen, then worked in private practice for over a decade. Most recently she was staff counsel at the State of California, Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. She was an active member of the Junior League for many years and served with great passion on the board of Wind Youth Services.

Jon A. Riesberg MBA '80 passed away on August 23, 2010.

Edward H. Atwell '80 on January 16, 2010, at the age of 53. He lost his courageous, 2 1/2 year battle with brain cancer. Born in San Luis Obispo, California on November 23, 1956 and raised in Sunnyvale, California. Ed was a graduate of Archbishop Mitty High School, class of 1974 and Santa Clara University class of 1980. For the last ten years Ed had been residing in Portland, Oregon until he became ill and returned to Sunnyvale. Ed was a Certified Public Accountant and was employed at Cascade Microtech, Inc. Ed enjoyed watching spectator sports and followed them with a passion. Ed is survived by his mother and father, James and Nellie Atwell of Sunnyvale, three brothers, Jim, David and Wayne Atwell, one sister, Moreen Belong, three sister-in-laws, Mary, Diana and Peggy Atwell, one brother-in-law, Dan Belong, two nieces, Ashley and Katie Atwell, four nephews, Jimmy and Matthew Atwell, Daniel and Joshua Belong, and his girlfriend Debra Delgado.

William Thomas Prewett '76, M.B.A. '81 died Monday, July 6, 2009 at his home in San Jose, Calif., following a protracted illness. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 23 years, Carol Ann Prewett; three children, Scott Prewett, Kit Prewett and Sherri Acri; and six grandchildren. Born in Calvin, Okla., in 1929 to Harold Andrew Prewett and Johnie Elizabeth Lockmiller, William attended the US Naval Academy and graduated with distinction in 1953 as first in his class in mathematics. He received two graduate degrees from Santa Clara University; an MBA in 1976 and a Masters in Economics in 1981. He spent most of his career working for 32 years with IBM and lived with his family around the world including Austria, Virginia, Arizona, and New York.

Stephen Michael Sack '81 on Oct. 31, 2008.  The San Francisco native worked in the spirits and wine industry for more than 25 years. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Lynne; and two sons.

Roy Gerard Mytinger '81 passed away on April, 16, 2011. Roy was born the fourth child and only son to LeRoy and Flora Mytinger in Newport, Rhode Island. He attended Middletown High School and Santa Clara University where he majored in civil engineering. He was a devoted son to his parents, a loving and caring brother, and an amazing uncle to Natalie, Joel, Jeri, Rico, and Troy. Roy was a special uncle and father figure to his nephew, Troy. He taught Troy how to be a respectful and caring young man. To his sisters, Marianne, Paula, and Wanda he continued to display a sense of humor and taught them how to find bright spots during his darkest days. One of Roy's passions was cars. He enjoyed restoring cars to their original pristine shape, the most famous being his 1967 Shelby GT 500. He was considered a perfectionist and his cars were premier examples. He was a member of the Saddleback Mustang Association and the Cobra Owners' Club of America, where he grew close with many friends. Another passion of Roy's was watching hockey. He started watching his nephew and was hooked, wondering why he ever enjoyed baseball. He has been an Anaheim Ducks season ticket holder since 1993, and despite his illness, continued to enjoy Ducks' games with friends and family. Determined to continue his fight, Roy attended a Ducks' playoff game the evening preceding his death. Roy was hired by Foundation Pile, Inc. as a civil engineer in 1981, where he worked for 23 years until Lou Gehrig's disease forced his retirement. Foundation Pile, Inc. will always be endeared in the hearts of the Mytinger/Dufault family for their never-ending love and support to Roy in his journey battling Lou Gehrig's disease. Roy will forever live in our hearts as a son, brother, and friend.

Read more about Roy and his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the Winter 2006 issue of Santa Clara Magazine.

Monte Gene Pasquinelli '81 was born Feb. 23, 1958 and passed away on August 10, 2009. Monte was a generous, kind-hearted man, much loved by his wife of 26 years, Kathi, and his two children, Rachel and Jared. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hiking, camping, and tennis. He enjoyed working on projects with his father Gene at their family cabin and was a loving, supportive son to his mother, Lorraine. He enjoyed a wonderful relationship with his sisters Gina and Sherri and his extended family. Educated at St. Clare's, Bellarmine, and Santa Clara University , Monte established a wide circle of friends; their antics and practical jokes will continue to make us all laugh. Monte went on to work as an asset manager for Borelli Investment Company for 30 years. He worked tirelessly, with integrity and was well respected by both his colleagues and clients.

Mary Nell (Applegate) Rogers MBA '81 of Los Altos passed away Sept. 1, 2012, after a long illness. Born Jan. 26, 1934, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mary studied electrical engineering at the University of Oklahoma. Upon graduating, she worked for General Electric in New York and in 1955 married Robert Rogers MBA '74, a fellow engineer from GE. Three years later she "retired" to raise a family and in 1961 the family moved west, settling in Los Altos. In 1976 Mary returned to work as an engineer, joining Lockheed Missiles & Space. Mary also volunteered for the Girl Scouts and was an active member of the Society of Women Engineers, eventually holding high offices for both organizations and gaining national recognition as an advocate for women in science. In 1981 she received her MBA from Santa Clara University. Upon her second retirement, in 1998, Mary spent much of her time gardening; she also enjoyed puzzles and needlepoint. Mary is survived by her children, Bob Jr., Beverly, Beth and Molly; and four grandchildren.

Mark A. McAtee '81 died on March 26, 2012. Born in San Rafael, Mark entered SCU to study electrical engineering and play football for Coach Pat Malley '53. Mark was named an Academic All-American in 1981. After graduating from SCU, Mark worked for ESL in Sunnyvale, TRW and Northrop Grumman in Colorado. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Mastro) '81, and children Kevin, Colin, and Katherine.

John Patrick Mirch ’81 May 15, 1959 - October 27, 2012 Resident of San Jose--a great man, a father of two, a loving husband, a brother and a son. John Patrick Mirch was born May 15, 1959 to his loving parents Eileen and Patrick Mirch ’55 in San Francisco, CA. He enjoyed this life and shared that joy with all of those around him including his three sisters, Mary Ellen Mirch, Kathy (Hal) Hainley and Patty (Scott) Weber, his two brothers Joe (Irene) Mirch and Michael Mirch, and numerous nieces and nephews. On April 24th, 1982 he married the love of his life, Laurie Borello ’80. Together they raised two beautiful sons Matthew and David. Something can be said about his spirit - he bravely fought cancer for two years, smiling and joking until the very end. The generosity and kindness he had for others showed in the immense love and support that was bestowed upon him in his final days. He passed peacefully in his sleep with his family by his side and now resides with our Lord in heaven. He will be dearly missed.

Edward Francis Reilly MBA '81 passed away on May 19, 2011. A resident of Sunnyvale, Edward was born in Astoria, N.Y., where he attended elementary and high school. He obtained his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and his MBA from Santa Clara University. He is survived by his three children, Colleen Reilly, Ed Reilly, and Maureen Reilly Wahl; his first grandchild, Shay; and also by his ex-wife Mary Ann Reilly. Ed was an eloquent lover of knowledge and life. He followed the news closely, always prepared to debate the salient points of popular politics, whether local or international, modern or historical. Ed was a uniquely clever and witty man. We mourn his passing and forever celebrate his life.

David Louis Normandin '81, resident of San Jose, passed away suddenly of natural causes on November 20. He was known for his generosity, heart of gold, and spontaneous free spirit.   David was born June 1, 1957, in Colorado Springs, Colo., graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in 1975, and earned a business degree from Santa Clara University in 1981.  He worked at Normandin Chrysler Jeep and Dodge in the Customer Service Department for many years, and spent his recent years caring for his two children as well as working as a jack-of-all-trades. He touched the lives of those who knew him with his kindness, generosity and sense of adventure. He often pulled up to his family members' driveways in his van, blasting classic rock music and inviting them along to catch frogs with him. He had a deep love for nature, and enjoyed visiting Yosemite for fishing trips. David approached the prospect of helping others with unbridled enthusiasm, from moving his niece into her college dorm room to spending hours painting fences or working on projects at his siblings' and friends' houses. He also had a sharp focus for creativity - the Christmas lights that adorned his home each year became famous throughout the neighborhood. Visits with David would usually involve some great barbeque (lots of meat), plenty of laughter, and at least one adventure.  David is survived by his wife Michelle, and is the adored father of Tristan and Sarah. He is also survived by his parents Lon '81 and Peggy Normandin and siblings Caren Normandin '79, Lisa McHugh '81, Mark Normandin, Diane Azevedo, and Paul Normandin. He was a beloved uncle to 16 nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed.

Anita Constance Arellano '81 on  June 21, 2009. After a six-year battle with ovarian cancer, Anita Arellano, 76, died on June 21, 2009. On August 8, 1932, Constance "Connie" Garcia de Estudillo Arellano gave birth in Oakland, Calif., to a baby girl, who she named 'Anita'. Connie was born south of the border, and her husband, Elias ('Al') was a native Californian. This little girl was brought up in Alameda, Calif., during the Great Depression and spent the war years and high school in Oakland. In 1950 she attended San Jose State College, where she majored first in journalism and then in history. She graduated with a BA in 1954, and married Carl Pohlhammer, a fellow historian, the following year. After a year in France with the U.S. Army, the couple settled in Berkeley, Calif., where Anita worked in the University of California's Coe Library. After a brief stint in a pre-medical program she attained a Master's Degree in history and political science from San Jose State, to go along with her General Secondary Credential. In 1963 the couple moved to the Monterey Peninsula, where they reside to this day. In addition to teaching at Monterey Peninsula College, she acquired a J.D. from the University of Santa Clara Law School, and practiced law for many years. While at Santa Clara she studied at Oxford, England, during one summer. She had a private pilot's license, a Red Cross sailing and life saving certificate, a scuba divers' certificate and a Junior College Life Credential. She managed several political campaigns and served as a delegate to the 1984 Democratic National Convention. She ran twice, unsuccessfully, for the Pacific Grove City Council in the 1980s, and she served on both the Alameda and Monterey Democratic Central Committees. She and her husband attended both inaugurations of President Bill Clinton. At Monterey Peninsula College she served as president of the Academic Senate, delegate to the statewide academic senate (ASCCC) and she served on a number of committees, including the Affirmative Action, Presidential Selection and Inter-cultural Relations Committees. Since coming to Monterey in 1963, she was a member of many boards, including the United Nations Organization, the World Affairs Council, the Sierra Club (Ventana Chapter), Fort Ord Flying Club and others. Over a long and busy life she has been a photographer, a flyer, a hiker, a sailor, a skier and has traveled extensively in California, Alaska, Hawaii and other states, South America, the South Pacific, Africa, Canada, Russia, and England, sharing experiences with and learning from many peoples in varied cultures in different lands.