Santa Clara Magazine

Larry J. Alvarez ’71, 63, a retired Tracy farmer, died Sunday, Nov. 18, at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City. Born in Tracy on Aug. 5, 1949, he was a lifelong Tracy resident. After graduating from Tracy High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Santa Clara University. After college, Mr. Alvarez returned to Tracy to farm with the family farming operation, Alvarez Farms. He served in the U.S. Army and National Guard Reserves and was a parishioner of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and a member of Tracy Golf and Country Club and Rhodes Bean and Supply Co-op. He was a past board member of the California Tomato Growers Association. Survivors include a daughter, Alesha Alvarez, and her husband, Gus Jimenez, of San Ramon; two sons, Mitch Alvarez of Stockton and Joey Alvarez of Tracy; and three grandchildren. Also surviving are his father, Joe Alvarez of Tracy; a sister, Patty Robidart ’69 of Pinole; a cousin who was like a brother, Jack Alvarez of Tracy; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Brijida “Bre” Alvarez. 

Mary Cobb ’72, born Aug. 26, 1950, passed away quietly after a heroic fight against cancer on  March 17, 2013.

Mary was born in Santa Monica and grew up in Van Nuys, attending St. Elizabeth School and Louisville High School She graduated from Santa Clara University with a major in Economics. After 16 years in the securities industry, Mary started her own consulting business as a compliance expert.

Herman Egger M.S. '72, a resident of Palo Alto, died on Nov. 5, 2012. He was 75. Egger was born in Murten, Switzerland. In 1967 he moved to Palo Alto with his bride and began a 35-year career with Varian Associates. He earned a MSEE from Santa Clara University in 1972. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Monika, his daughters Pia Lusk (Mike) and Susi Egger-Watson (Matt) and his grandchildren Brenden, Daniel, Emma, Claire, Max, and Leo.

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.

Robert C. Schwalbe ’74, M.A. '79, a resident of Santa Clara, was born in 1952 and died in January 2013. Robert was first introduced to Yosemite by his parents Marge and Bill Schwalbe, and his love of the park continued throughout his childhood with the adventures he shared with his siblings Ronald, Joan ’65, and Richard. Beyond his love of nature, Robert was a generous and compassionate human being. He loved life and enjoyed serving the community by volunteering at St. Justin's during the holidays and Yosemite in the fall. His positive, infectious spirit will be missed greatly by his adored wife, Linda, and beloved children Matthew, Jenna, and Roxanne. 

Sue Noel Hinrichs Ph.D ’75 of Manteca was born on March 18, 1935 in Clinton, Okla., where she was raised and attended Clinton schools. She left this life on December 9, 2012 in Modesto, Calif. She was the daughter of Clyde Alvin Noel and Susie Barr Noel, deceased. She was also preceded in death by a sister Alva Jane Powell. She attended Oklahoma State University where she obtained her B.S. in Accounting. She received her M.S. from Kansas University and PhD from Santa Clara University. Sue's career was as a CPA and Professor at San Jose State University and University of Pacific. She was a member of the Genealogical Society of Stanislaus County and had served as Treasurer, former board of director for San Joaquin County Women's Center, and loved to play bridge and did so at every opportunity. Sue is survived by husband of almost 56 years, Eric Hinrichs, a sister Clyda Ann Neal of South Carolina and many loving nephews and nieces. She and Eric were almond growers in the Manteca area for many years. 

Audrey Bernfield M.A. ’76, died on her seventy-fifth birthday, November 3, 2012, after a long battle with cancer. Audrey was an innovative force at several universities. At Stanford, she nurtured students in the Program in Human Biology while building an advising system that became a model for the nation. Later, as Director of Undergraduate Advising, she championed the view that college is a place for intellectual exploration where students discover the passions that lead to meaningful lives and careers. As Director of Enrichment Programs at Harvard Medical School, she developed programs that expanded medical students' engagement in the world at large, and was the first non-physician elected president of the International Health Medical Education Consortium, now known as GHEC. She was a lifelong crusader for reproductive rights, starting as a counselor and eventually serving on the boards of several women's health organizations, including Planned Parenthood of Boston. She also served on the boards of the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus; The Transition Network, an organization for professional women who are transitioning to retirement; New Georges, a New York City theatre company; and as President of the 1661 Foundation, which supports the development of young progressive leaders. Audrey earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Counseling Psychology from the University of Santa Clara. She is survived by her children, Susan and her husband Claude Millman, Jim and his wife Camilla Enders, Mark and his wife Rachel Saunders, and four grandchildren. Her husband Merton R. Bernfield died in 2002.

Steven Emerson Curtis M.S. ’77, our wonderful husband, father, Papa, and hero, passed away on January 5, 2013 after a courageous eight-year battle with cancer. He valiantly inspired others and proved that this is still a day of miracles. Steve was born in Salt Lake City on March 16, 1948 to Reuben Emerson and Alice Call Curtis. He graduated from Highland High School and served an LDS mission to Northern Germany. He married his eternal sweetheart, Janice Derrick in the Salt Lake Temple. He graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in electrical engineering and received a master's degree from Santa Clara University in California. He spent the majority of his career designing medical imaging equipment and managing research and development departments. He loved solving mathematical engineering problems and was granted many patents. Steve was a man of absolute integrity. He had sound judgment and great wisdom. He possessed charity for all and so appreciated the love and prayers offered for him during his health struggles. He left a legacy of love, service, humor, and devotion to his family. He endured to the end with steadfast faith in the Savior and a testimony of the gospel. He was without guile and was a true disciple of Christ. Steve loved gardening and his beautiful flowers were legendary. He passed on his love of camping and hiking in the mountains and national parks to his family. He loved music and sang every chance he had in choirs, quartets and duets with Jani and was an excellent choir director. He enjoyed traveling and saw much of the world. He delighted in the scriptures and was continually immersed in them. He had an extensive knowledge of the gospel and lived its principles with exactness. He served faithfully in many callings, but his favorite was teaching, where he constantly bore his testimony of the love, kindness, and mercy of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Jani, their children Michael (Rochelle) Curtis, Matthew (Brooke) Curtis, Alisa (Kevin) Bolander, Jennifer (Alan) Stout, and 14 grandchildren. 

Joan Marie Vellequette M.A. ’77, a resident of Los Altos, Calif. for 51 years, passed away peacefully on Nov. 13, 2012. Joan is survived by her loving husband, Murlin Vellequette MBA '68, her sister Margaret Bouthillier (& husband Conrad), her brother-in-law Roger Vellequette, her sister-in-law Bernadette Hall, and her eight children: Joseph Vellequette (& wife Suzy), John Vellequette, David Vellequette (& wife Mary), Mary Singleton (& husband D.J.), Ann Frates, Mark Vellequette '86, MBA '91 (& wife Mary Beth), Michael Vellequette (& wife Kim), and James Vellequette. Joan was blessed with 21 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren - all of whom she loved deeply. Joan had a knack for remembering everyone's birthday, graduation, and anniversary - while making it all look easy. Born Joan Marie Lynch in Chicopee, Mass., her family later moved to Michigan where she attended the University of Detroit as a Chemistry major graduating in 1951. Joan dated Murlin Vellequette in college and they married in 1952. Over the next 9 years, they lived in Huntsville, Detroit, Fort Wayne, Cincinnati, and then moved to California in 1960 when Murlin accepted a position with Fairchild Semiconductor. In Los Altos, they bought one of the first homes in the Highlands area, where they made many close friends in that great neighborhood. Recently, with family and some long-time friends, Joan and Murlin celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, a true milestone of enduring love. Early on, Joan worked as a Chemist for Ethyl Corp., and then devoted herself to the whirlwind of raising eight children. Joan returned to college and obtained a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University in 1977. She also volunteered for many years with the St. Simon Catholic Parish ministries, the El Camino Hospital Auxiliary, and for St. Francis High School. Later on, she enjoyed being the office manager and psychological testing coordinator for the Behaviordyne Pyschological Corp. in Palo Alto, and she also acted as the bookkeeper for the family business. Joan's personal interests varied from celebrating and quietly helping her family, to frequent travels, to being an extremely avid reader. Her travels included India, Europe, China, Australia and many trips with family to destinations all over the US. Annual summer trips to Myrtle Beach were a favorite, and no one will ever forget seeing Joan and Murlin parasailing together way up in the sky during one terrific Vellequette & Bouthillier Family Reunion. Joan was always selflessly full of life and love, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew and cherished her.

Natalia Ortiz Mead ’79 was born on April 23, 1923, and passed away on December 26, 2012. A resident of Sunnyvale, she married William E. Mead Jr. and raised two daughters, two sons, and two grandsons. She served in the U.S. Army as an aircraft mechanic, 1943-1944. A retired WWII Veteran, she was an alumnus of Santa Clara University and a retired English teacher. Mead was a dedicated 49ers and Giants fan. She coached childrens' sports. Home was always open to friends. Survived by son Michael, daughter Marguerite, and 8 grandchildren.