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Showing obituaries submitted anytime by graduates in 1958
1958
William Francis Egan ’58 of Cupertino departed from this life surrounded by his loving wife (Mary Ann nee Schwarz) and family on Dec. 16th. Graduate of Riordan (54), SCU (58), and Stanford (MSEE 60, PhD 67). Principal Engineer at GTE Sylvania and ESL. SCU instructor and author of several technical books. Children include John Egan ’90, Michael Egan ’95, Thomas Egan ’88, M.S. ’92, PhD ’05 and William Egan Jr. ’84.
William D. Coffey '58 on Nov. 1, 2008. A native of Bayonne, New Jersey, he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and later had a career in the computer industry. He taught mathematics for nine years at Trenton High School. He is survived by seven children and 15 grandchildren.
Walter Ward Wilson '58, born August 5, 1937, in San Francisco, California; died January 5, 2010, in Bellevue, Washington. Survived by Jill, his wife of 51 years; daughter, Janne Sleeper, and granddaughter, Elena Sleep er, of Stanwood; brother-in-law, Jack Krimmer (Barbara), of Wimberly, Texas; and numerous cousins in California. Walt was a devoted husband and father. He had an abiding love for his church, and loved to work in its service. He also had a passion for travel that he fulfilled with his wife, Jill. They toured China, Italy, England, Holland, Egypt and South and Central America, and were able to travel to Ecuador and the Galapagos islands with their daughter and granddaughter last year. Golf was his game, and he spent many joyful hours with his friends on the course. He played racquetball as well, co-running a league in Kirkland for many years. He spent many hours working for the Republican Party and also as an elections official. His working years were spent primarily at the former Rocket Research Co. of Redmond where he was a mechanical engineer. Space and its promise for the future fascinated and drove him in his work. A man generous with his time, his affection and his hearty laughter, he will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Timothy J. Hanifin J.D. ’58, resident of Santa Cruz, died on February 2, at home, after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 81. Tim was born of Irish immigrant parents on May 26, 1931 in Stockton, CA. He grew up in Gustine, graduating from Gustine High School in 1948. Tim attended St. Mary's College in Moraga and graduated from The University of Notre Dame in Indiana with a Bachelor's Degree in English in 1953. He served as an Army Counter Intelligence Agent during the Korean War. After being discharged, he attended The University of Santa Clara Law School, where he received the Outstanding Law School Graduate Award in 1958. Tim practiced law as a trial lawyer specializing in insurance civil defense work. He was a partner with the San Jose law firm of Hanifin, Van Loucks, and Vaught, until he was appointed by Gov. Ronald Regan, in 1972, to the now Consolidated Municipal Court of Santa Clara County. He served there for over twenty years, retiring and moving from Los Altos to Santa Cruz in 1993. Tim was an avid reader and enjoyed sharing his extensive library with others. He was a devotee of music from jazz to classical. He enjoyed sports, history, religion, fishing, and woodworking. Tim was known for his generosity to charities and individuals. He was a member of, the Family of St. Joseph, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Charter Member of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Thomas More Law Society, Symphony League of Santa Cruz County, and many other organizations. Tim is preceded in death by his sister Kathleen Pesco. He is survived by his sister Ellen Hanifin of Santa Cruz, his brother Patrick Hanifin (Mary Jane) or Brea, five nieces and nephews, and eleven grandnieces and grandnephews.
Richard P. Traina '58, former president of Clark University, passed away at his home in Charlton, Mass., on March 8 at age 73 after living with cancer for several years. Traina served as president from 1984 to 2000, and he oversaw a period of remarkable growth that included renewed emphasis on education programs, a significant increase of the endowment, and construction and renovation of physical facilities. His work with the city of Worcester, particularly the Main South neighborhood, was groundbreaking. Through his example and under his directive, Clark began working with its neighbors to establish the University Park Partnership, which has brought renewed vitality to the Main South neighborhood. The partnership has since become a national model for urban university/community collaborations, and the University Park Campus School is touted as a national school reform model. Clark also helped establish the Main South Community Development Corporation, a vehicle organized to stimulate affordable housing and small business development in Clark’s surrounding neighborhood. “Dick will long be remembered for his passion and commitment to Clark. His energy and insights were essential in transforming the University and the community around us,” said current President David Angel. “Dick was a friend, colleague, and mentor to the many people whose lives he touched.”
Michael Allen Crouch '58 was born in San Mateo, California, on October 17, 1935, the youngest of Stanley and Madeline Crouch's six children. His family moved to the Westwood section of Los Angeles, California, just a few years later. He attended St. Paul the Apostle Grammar School, Loyola High School, and the University of Santa Clara. His career was in the flavor and fragrance industry, having worked for many years with his father, who brought both his sons into the business.
Mike is survived by his brother, Blaine, and sister, Joaun; his wife, Lori, and their son, Patrick; Mike's son, Michael Lee (Karen), and daughter, Cami (Paul) -- children from his previous marriage to Nancy Hunydee (deceased); four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a wonderful abundance of nieces and nephews, and other relatives.
On Tuesday, October 18, he joined his mother, Madeline, father, Stanley, and three sisters, Jacqueline, Patricia, and Jeanne, who predeceased him. He died in Tucson, Arizona, in the loving company of family members.
Mike's humor, kindness, and compassion made him beloved by all who knew him.
Donations may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center or a charity of your choice . Or, you may honor Mike's memory by emulating him and practicing acts of kindness and generosity.
Joseph Anthony Miller ’58 of Red Bluff, Calif. died on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 12:38 am at Mercy Medical Center, Redding, Calif., at age 75. On October 24, 1935, Paul Ernst Miller and Vera O'Brien Miller welcomed their fourth child, Joseph "Joe" Anthony in Portland, Ore. Joe attended St. Agatha's Grade School and Central Catholic High School in Portland. He enjoyed and excelled at sports especially golf and football. He played on the 1952 & 1953 Oregon State Championship teams and selected as an all state player. He continued his education the University of Santa Clara in California. During the summers, he worked in one of the family lumber mills. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Political Science. He then worked at various large accounting firms in the Bay Area and Portland including Ernst & Ernst & then moving to Redding to work for Muncy, McPherson of San Francisco. This firm left Redding so Joe moved to Portland. In Portland, he met Barbara Deklotz, and they married in April 1964 and moved to Red Bluff in June, 1964 where Joe began self-employment. He became a partner in Moore and Miller which later became Moore, Miller and Evanhoe. Later, he became of sole CPA practitioner. He served on the Red Bluff City Council from 1970 to 1974. He belonged to BPOE, Wilcox Oaks Golf Club, and Red Bluff Rotary. In 1966, he replaced Camille Hart, as Secretary/Treasurer of the Red Bluff Round-Up Association and never missed a board meeting in over 35 years. Barbara and Joe had three children; Heidi Miller Murdock, who died at 32 of leukemia; Peter Miller in Vernon, Conn.; and John Miller '91 in San Francisco. Joe loved accounting and auditing and working with his clients. As leisure, Joe always had projects: fixing up old houses and cars and making pomegranate jelly in his garage during football season. His Irish wit, honesty and loyalty endeared him to his family and friends. Survivors include: Barbara Miller, wife; Peter Miller, son; Nathan & Maya Miller, grandchildren; John Miller, son; Michael Miller, brother, Portland, Ore.; Susan Beal, sister, Berkeley, Calif.; Martha Alstadt, sister, Portland, Ore.. Family precedent was Paul Miller, brother, Portland, Ore.
Ben C. Francis J.D. '58 on Jan. 13, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Bernice, and three children.
Arthur Lafranchi ’58 died from heart and kidney failure in Santa Rosa on Oct. 14, 2012. He was 76.
For the past half century, Petaluma resident Arthur Lafranchi switched between overalls and briefcases as he juggled his career as a prominent Sonoma County attorney and a dairy/grape farmer.
Born in Petaluma, Mr. Lafranchi was raised on a dairy in Nicasio in rural western Marin County. He was educated in a tiny-one-room school in Nicasio, and after three years, transferred to San Anselmo’s Elementary School in San Anselmo. He went to Marin Catholic High School and graduated in 1954.
Mr. Lafranchi majored in political science at Santa Clara University and went on to Law School at the University of San Francisco, where he graduated in 1962. After earning his law degree in 1963, he opened a practice in Petaluma and chose to focus on estate planning, trusts and real estate. Years later, he moved the practice to Santa Rosa. He went on to become a Sonoma County attorney a with a career spanning nearly 50 years. In 2010, he was honored by the Sonoma County Bar Association for his “Career of Distinction.”
