Lowell Alumni Association SERVING THE OLDEST PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN THE WEST SINCE 1910
DISTRIBUTION: 33,000
President’s Message By Lisa Coughlin Clay ’74 Those of us who love Lowell have many things to celebrate this spring. Lowell celebrated its 50th anniversary on the Eucalyptus Drive campus on April 13th. Over a thousand alums and friends visited the campus—some for the first time since graduation, while others, graduates from the Hayes and Masonic campus, for the very first time—and were treated to an all-day party. Alums took campus tours and visited student programs, such as ceramics, journalism, yearbook and The Myriad. Among others, there were students demonstrations of forensics, chemistry and robotics, as well as performances of the advanced orchestra, jazz band, symphony orchestra and choir. Eight notable alums were added to Lowell’s Wall of Tradition. Two honorees were present, artist Betty Guy ’38 and Larry Baer ’75, President and CEO of the world champion San Francisco Giants. The welcoming ceremony in the auditorium featured remarks by several alums in public service, including Lowell’s two members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Malia Cohen ’96 and Katy Tang ’02, former district superintendent Gwen Chan ’63, a member of the first class at the Eucalyptus campus, and Board of Education member Emily Murase ’83. Past principals Barton Knowles ’35 and Alan Fibish sent greetings, and Perry Perino was represented by his daughter. Former principal Paul Cheng and current principal Andy Ishibashi spoke as well. The highlight of the program was the appearance of special guest star Paul Lucey, who came from Bangor, Maine to grace the event. Paul has been associated with Lowell for more than fifty years, and was our Executive Director for twentyfour years. We would not have today’s Alumni Association without Paul’s passion and dedication to Lowell, which continue undiminished by a mere 3300 miles. Many people approached me during the celebration and expressed delight in the students’ many activities and enthusiasm. A strong spirit of “Lowell pride” was present all day. Your Alumni Association is proud of our role in helping to maintain Lowell’s broad range of student activities and programs. The Alumni Board of Directors joins me in giving a huge thank you to chairperson Claudia Eshoo ’67 and her hard-working committee for the countless hours they spent to make sure the anniversary celebration went off without a hitch. It was truly a memorable event and a very special day for all of us. Lowell’s athletes remain the source of much Lowell pride. The girls soccer team won their unprecedented sixteenth consecutive AAA championship on May 4th. And the boys baseball team won the city championship on May 8th at AT&T Park. I reported in my fall 2012 message that Lowell had been designated a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School for 2012-2013. In April, Lowell was named a Distinguished School by the California Department of Education. To be awarded both prestigious honors in one academic year is an outstanding and rare accomplishment. We are proud of these well-deserved honors for Lowell and congratulate Andy Ishibashi, his administration, faculty and staff, and certainly Lowell’s students for their outstanding achievements. We remain deeply appreciative of the generous support of our alums, which makes possible our work on behalf of Lowell’s continued excellence.
SPRING 2013
Campus Celebrates Big 5-0 In Style Whether they were listening to the Lowell Jazz Band, visiting the Journalism or Yearbook rooms, chatting with classmates for the first time in years or merely enjoying a nostalgic stroll down the hallways, more than 1,200 Lowell alumni, retired faculty and other friends returned to campus on Saturday, April 13 as part of the “Lowell Celebrates!” event commemorating 50 years since Lowell moved from the “old brick pile” at Hayes & Masonic to the shores of Lake Merced. Sponsored by the Lowell Alumni Association, the campuswide open house was an informal and fun day that allowed alumni and current students to mingle and reminded all everyone of the school’s unique culture that transcends generations and locations.
The day began with the unveiling of eight new photos that have been added to the Wall of Tradition display of prominent alumni. We were honored to have two of these alumni with us in person, local artist Betty Lipschultz Guy ’38 and San Francisco Giants President and CEO Larry Baer ’75. Larry was easily the most-photographed attendee of the day, happily posing with everyone who asked and showing off his most recent World Series Champion ring. Other alumni added to the Wall of Tradition were Pierre Salinger ’41, Press Secretary to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lydon B. Johnson; Warren Hellman ’51, philanthropist and investment banker; Charles Ferguson ’72, Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker; John Roos ’72, U.S. Ambassador to Japan; Rear Admiral Jonathan Yuen ’79, Commander of NAVSUP Global Logistics Support, San Diego and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and Jennifer Egan ’80, Pulitzer Prize-winning author. According to event chairperson Claudia Wolf Eshoo ’67, the “centerpiece event was the official welcoming ceremony in the Carol Channing Theater, where we were truly honored to have so many special guests and messages from past principals who led Lowell over the past 50 years.” The witty Jack Hanson ’50 served as Master of Ceremonies and, assisted by LAA President Lisa Coughlin Clay ’74, helped to welcome to the stage San Francisco Supervisors Malia Cohen ’96 and Katy Tang ’02 as well as Board of Education Commissioner Emily Murase ’83. In addition to written messages from Principals Barton Knowles ’35 and Alan Fibish, the audience heard directly from Linda Perino Martin continued on page 9
Annual Fund Campaign Nears Goal, Needs Final Push With just under six weeks left in our 2012-13 Annual Fund Campaign, we are proud to report that more than 1,600 alumni and other friends have provided $290,000 in unrestricted gifts, leaving us within reach of our $350,000 goal. Jim Rosenthal ’50, the Lowell Alumni Association’s Vice President for Planning & Development, recently expressed confidence that alumni “will respond generously to our follow-up efforts in the coming weeks so that we can fully fund all the important projects we’ve identified to guarantee that Lowell students continue to benefit from first-rate academic and extracurricular programs.” The current “Investing in Student Success” campaign seeks to fully fund a number of priorities, including our grants program that was recently expanded to $75,000 this school year in order to accom-
modate a larger percentage of the compelling requests we received from faculty members. The latest projects to receive grant funding include a new sound system for the Carol Channing Theater, special texts for Advanced Placement Spanish classes and emergency funding to help our Robotics and Forensics squads compete at national championship tournaments. Our Annual Fund Campaign has already provided $50,000 in critical funding to supplement staffing this school year, thereby preserving first-year Latin classes as well as Lowell’s JROTC program. We have also earmarked $23,000 to help pay for the renovation of space in the main building to house the new Wellness Center and its various programs that assist Lowell students with issues ranging from academic stress and sexual health to substance abuse and
depression. Through the Wellness Center, students can participate in a variety of services including counseling, nursing services, case management, support/empowerment groups, conflict mediation and referrals to community agencies. And we still hope to complete the last $40,000 of the $100,000 matching gift challenge to support the Lowell Science Research Program and general science lab upgrades throughout the school. Alumnus Herbert Lee ’73 and his wife Christina issued this challenge in late 2011 and the funds already expended have truly transformed many Lowell science labs with new computer-based technology and lab equipment that have provided direct benefits to every Lowell student. Through the Lowell Science Research Program, another group of talented and hard-working Lowell stu-
dents will be engaged in summer research projects at the University of California at San Francisco alongside UCSF graduate students. Thanks to last summer’s program, several Lowell seniors will be headed to college this fall with a solid background in scientific research and a clearer vision of how they will pursue careers in science or medicine. For those who have already donated to this year’s campaign, please accept our most sincere thanks for doing so much to support today’s students. Other alumni and friends can help push this year’s campaign over the top by making a donation before June 30 and then qualify to be listed in our next newsletter’s donor listing. You can donate online using your credit card by visiting www.lowellalumni.org/donate. Many thanks for your support!
Page 2 u Lowell Alumni Association u Spring 2013
Reunion Calendar Classes of Fall 1942 & Spring 1943 — 70-Year Reunion Friday, October 4, 2013, 11am (social hour) 11:30am (lunch) Sinbad’s, Pier 2 on the Embarcadero, San Francisco Contact: Don Sharman at sharz@mindspring.com. Details: Invitations coming soon by mail.
Classes of Fall 1952 & Spring 1953 — 60-Year Reunion Thursday, October 17, 2013 from 12pm to 3pm Presidio Golf Club, 8 Presidio Terrace, San Francisco Please join us for a buffet lunch with no-host bar. The cost is $60 per person. Invitations have been mailed. Parking is free. Attendees will receive a map of the area with details about available parking. They will also receive more information about the nature of the buffet. Contacts: John McGilvray at jdmcg@pacbell.net or (650) 329-0421; Peter Dahl at bpdahl@aol.com
Classes of Fall 1962 & Spring 1963 — 50-Year Reunion Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1, 2013 The Club House at the Presidio Golf Club, 300 Finley Road (at the Arguello gate), San Francisco Contact: Allan Gold at (415) 929-9524 or agold8946@aol.com. Please join us Saturday evening for an hors d’oeuvre dinner and lots of great conversation from 6 pm to 11 pm. We’ll also be gathering for a continental breakfast on Sunday from 10 am to 2pm. Hope you’ll come for one or both events! Registration/Info: Please visit https://lowellalumni.givezooks.com
Classes of Fall 1963 & Spring 1964 – 50-Year Reunion The Fall ’63/Spring ’64 Reunion Committee has begun planning our 50-year reunion, tentatively scheduled for the fall of 2014. We are currently looking at potential venues and should have more information in the next issue of the newsletter. Please update your contact information, especially your e-mail address, by visiting www.lowellalumni.org/ address.shtml, so we can contact you. We’re looking forward to seeing all our classmates at the reunion!
Classes of Fall 1972 & Spring 1973 — 40-Year Reunion Saturday, October 12, 2013, 7pm to 11pm Log Cabin, Presidio, San Francisco Contact: Buffy Cereske (wiregal@pacbell.net), Bill Black (wmbcpa@pacbell.net), Mark Budak (mdbudak@aol.com), Paul Reinhardt (preinhardt@speedpro.com) or Darryl Woo (dwoo@fenwick.com) This will NOT be your father’s reunion (unless he was a badass). The Lowell Classes of Fall ’72 & Spring ’73 are taking full advantage of Fleet Week and some killer Presidio scenery to convene a loose, interactive, joyous, nostalgic evening of celebration! Join us to eat, drink (no-host bar), dance (DJ) and more! Plenty of surprises! Registration/Info: Please visit https://lowellalumni.givezooks.com
Class of 2003 – 10-Year Reunion Monday, December 3, 2013, 8pm to 2am Raven Bar, 1151 Folsom Street, SF Don’t miss the chance to reconnect with your classmates during the holidays! Tickets ($30 from now until November 21) include hors d’oeuvres from 8pm to 10pm and two drinks. Registration/info: Please visit https://lowellalumni.givezooks.com
R eunion R eports Fall 1967 & Spring 1968 — 45-Year Reunion On February 16th, more than a hundred members of the Classes of Fall ’67 and Spring ’68 joined together for a reunion at the Irish Cultural Center. A great time was had by all and everyone is looking forward to the 50th reunion, which Bob Savelli has agreed to Chair. Many thanks to Bonnie St James for all her hard work in making this reunion such a great success!
Lakeshore Elementary School buddies
Welcome to the Fall ’67 & Spring ’68 Reunion!
Young old friends enjoying one another’s company
Having fun remembering and singing the Lowell Hymn
A fun night mingling with old friends
The (self-described) Third Floor Grifters
LOWELL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Lisa Coughlin Clay ’74 President
Jim Rosenthal ’50 Vice President
Leon Blum ’52 Terence Abad ’76 Treasurer Executive Director
Anita Payton ’74 Secretary Paul A. Lucey Executive Director Emeritus
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jack Anderson ’50 Roberta Bleiweiss ’65 Mike Bower ’67 Anna-Marie Bratton ’64 Cathryn Brash ’43 Joseph Ehrman III ’41 Claudia Wolf Eshoo ’67
Dan Genolio ’77 Dave Hagerman ’72 Georgene Poulakidas Kromydas ’88 King Lip ’95 Geraldine Rosen-Park ’77 Wendy Drefke Shinbori ’68
Helen Louie Wax ’66, Southern California Representative
Bruce Spiegelman ’67 Mark Steiner ’72 Paul Tam ’82 Mike Ugawa ’76 Rita Yee ’73 Irving Zaretsky ’59 Andy Ishibashi, Principal
PUBLISHED BY THE LOWELL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Oh what a night!
Reunion Committees Remember to provide photos and an account of your special event so we can share them with your fellow alumni in our next newsletter. We can help if you’re starting to plan a reunion. Phone (415) 759-7830 or e-mail us at lowellaa@lowellalumni.org
Spring 2013 u Lowell Alumni Association u Page 3
R eunion R eports Fall 1971 & Spring 1972 — 40-Year Reunion On November 3, 2012, the Lowell High School Classes of Fall 1971 and Spring 1972, held their 40-year Reunion celebration at the Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco. The theme for the evening was “Reelin’ in the Years!” Nearly 200 attendees enjoyed a wonder-
From left: Vickie Mattade-Lewis, Rene Ellis Thomas and LaVon Smith
Sharon Jean Wong (left) with Phyllis Hom Jay
ful dinner, networking and raffle prizes. Many of us gathered at Lowell the next morning to tour the campus and continue mingling and sharing time together. The Reunion Committee would just like to say…See everyone in 10 years!
Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Charles Ferguson (left) with Dave Pedersen
Fall 1971 & Spring 1972 Reunion Committee (from left): Debbie Guggenheim Voss, Otis Watson and Cheryl Lauser Chase.
From left: Lauren Tom, Lena Chang and Sharon Jean Marie Elena James (left) with husband Newton Lam Wong and Cheri (Craig) Choy
Lorraine Chan with husband Michael Chang
Class of 1982 — 30-Year Reunion The Class of 1982’s 30-year reunion was held on December 22, 2012 at Crystal Springs Golf Club in Burlingame. Classmates and their guests, about 150 attendees in all, enjoyed viewing the senior slide show and pictures from previous reunions as they mingled over appetizers and drinks before dinner. During the sit-down buffet dinner, a raffle was held to raise funds for future reunions and many prizes were won. Toward the end of dinner, lights were dimmed to prepare for the showing of the 1982 senior movie. Everyone had a great time traveling back in time together. Many classmates enjoyed dancing to ’80s music on the dance floor while others chatted and laughed over dessert and coffee from the coffee cart. Great shots were recorded in the photo booth and those will be shown at the next reunion — hope to see everybody then!
Reunion Committee members (from left) Debbie Strach Germenis, Yvonne Ng, Lana Lee King and David Volansky have fun in the photo booth.
Class of 1982 grads pose with a banner classmate Charles Crane found at a garage sale.
Reunion Committee members with LAA Executive Director Terry Abad ’76
2002 — 10-Year Reunion
The Lowell Class of 2002 celebrated its 10-year reunion in true San Francisco fashion by capturing the historic Exploratorium for one last evening event before the venue forever closed its doors at the Palace of Fine Arts location. On Saturday, December 22, 2012, over 250 classmates and guests gathered to enjoy the exhibits that were part of our childhood memories as well as a DJ, photo booth, food truck and bar service. Folks were so engaged in catching up that it took a while to move from the lobby and into the beautifully decorated main event space. In attendance amongst the lively crowd were class sponsors, Ms. May Choi and Ms. Mary Anne Wold, as well as LAA Executive Director Terry Abad. A special thank you goes out to the Reunion Committee for their creativity and dedication in planning this truly unique event. Until next time! Lana Lee King (second from left) helps select raffle prize winners
Page 4 u Lowell Alumni Association u Spring 2013
2013 Scholarship Recipients Reflect Broad Range of Talents This year, the Lowell Alumni Association’s Scholarship Committee faced the daunting task of selecting nearly three dozen scholarship recipients from more than 60 highly qualified applicants who have excelled in a wide range of academic and extracurricular pursuits and contributed significantly to life at Lowell as well as a variety of community organizations. According to committee chairwoman Wendy Drefke Shinbori ’68, “This year’s group of applicants was one of the most diverse I’ve ever seen, measured in almost any dimension other than gender — for reasons I can’t explain, we attracted very few male applicants this year.” New this year were eight $1,000 awards given in honor of alumna Julia Ye ’06 and her many contributions to the success of the Lowell Science Research Program. These awards, which will be presented to another eight students each year for the next four years, were funded through the generosity of Herbert Lee ’73 and his wife, Christina Cheng. And thanks to the Classes of 1962, two additional scholarships — funded as part of a reunion class gift in connection with last year’s 50-year reunion — were awarded this year to honor the memory of deceased members of those classes. This year’s scholarship recipients include a talented ballet dancer who has established his own dance company and students who have made their mark in Lowell athletics, journalism, art, forensics and theater. In total, almost $75,000 was awarded this year, with the vast majority of scholarships being one-time awards ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. To these members of the Class of 2013, we provide hearty best wishes for continued success!
Scholarship Committee chairwoman Wendy Drefke Shinbori ’68, flanked by 2013 scholarship recipients Maeve FitzHoward ’13 (left) and twin sister Sean FitzHoward ’13.
Lowell Earns State and National Honors Following close on the heels of last year’s recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, Lowell has just been named a California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education – one of only 218 public middle and high schools selected for this special designation and the only San Francisco high school to be honored. Particularly notable is the fact that the 2013 selection criteria focus on schools “that have demonstrated educational excellence for all students and progress in narrowing the achievement gap.” And Lowell truly has made significant progress in this area, with standardized test scores for Latino and African-American students increasing at much faster rates than overall scores. Since 2007, Latino students boosted their scores by 36 points while average scores at Lowell went up by 16 points. And over the last year, African-American students recorded a 66-point increase compared to a school-wide increase of only 4 points. Lowell has also been recognized by the California Department of Education as one of only eight California high schools to earn the 2013 Exemplary Arts Program Award, for schools that have “demonstrated school and community support for standards-based arts programs across multiple disciplines and have made a significant impact on school culture and academic success.” On the national scene, various high school rankings have proliferated, with Lowell earning lofty positions on all the most recent rankings. U.S. News & World Report places Lowell at #43 nationwide and #8 in California, using a methodology that emphasizes the percentage of graduating seniors who take one or more Advanced Placement exams during their high schools years and, to a lesser extent, student performance on those AP exams. Newsweek ranked Lowell #66 nationwide and #5 in California, with a more complicated weighting formula that includes graduation rate, college acceptance rate, average SAT/ACT scores, AP exams given and scores received. Finally, the Washington Post issued their rankings of America’s “most challenging” high schools, placing Lowell as #135 nationwide and #16 in California. Unlike the other rankings, the Washington Post list includes a number of private high schools. Their ranking is based solely upon and index calculated by dividing the total number of AP exams administered at a school by the number of graduating seniors. However, the Post also reports that a truly impressive 92.2% of Lowell’s 2012 graduating seniors took and passed at least one Advanced Placement exam during their high school years. This figure is a testament to the pervasiveness of Lowell’s AP program and shows significant improvement over the 70-80% rate of just a few years ago. And while all of these honors are, to one degree or another, flattering, the real proof of the quality of the current educational experience at Lowell remains the fact that alumni return from college to report that their transition to college was seamless and that, in some instances, they find their college coursework less demanding than their classes at Lowell.
Recipient
Scholarship Fund
College
Victor Chan ’13 Mollee Chu ’13 Sander Chu ’13 Alexander Chuang ’13 Josephine Cormier ’13 Danielle deBruin ’13 Victor Eng ’12 Maeve FitzHoward ’13 Sean FitzHoward ’13 Cailin Hong ’13 Kellyn Hori ’13 Anderson Huang ’13 Rebecca Jacobson ’13 Kegan Kawamura ’13 Kitty Kwan ’13 Sam Lee ’13 Aaron Leong ’13 Hoi Leung ’13 Michelle Li ’13 Caitlin Lienkaemper ’13 Ashley Louie ’13 Natalie Luu ’11 Rachel Ng ’13 Julie Oatfield ’13 Matthew Quesada ’13 Sabrina Quinonez ’13 Kasey Ramirez ’13 Regina Ramirez ’13 Rachel Scales ’13 Jovanni Stefani ’14 Nicholas Werby ’13 Megan Wong ’13 Eileen Wu ’13 Mark Young ’13 Kristie Yu ’13 Allison Zhu ’13
Sgt. “Mack” Yoshida Dominican University of CA Frances Dealtry & Julia Ye UCLA Carol Channing & LAA UC Berkeley Julia Ye UC Berkeley Classes of 1962 Dartmouth College Frances Dealtry UCLA Robert Levin Stanford University Ben Shenson & LAA Cooper Union Frances Dealtry UC Davis Edith Pence & LAA Princeton University Elmer Harris & Mike Voye & Ben Neff UCLA Julia Ye UCLA Stafford Repp McGill University Julia Ye UC Berkeley Robert Levin & Julia Ye & Roland Quan Stanford University Julia Ye Massachusetts Inst of Technology Elmer Harris & Mike Voye & Ben Neff UCLA Bob Anino UCLA George Lorbeer UC Berkeley Julia Ye Harvey Mudd College June Shafer UC Irvine Robert Levin Stanford University Jacqueline Gordon Sherman Northwestern University Frances Dealtry Lewis & Clark College Elmer Harris & Mike Voye & Ben Neff UCLA Vincent Spangler San Jose State University Harvey Masonek San Jose State University Seward Chapman UC Santa Barbara Porter Sesnon & Herschel Tolson Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Elena Catelli N/A Julia Ye UC Berkeley Paul Lucey UC Santa Barbara Roy Barsotti UC Berkeley Louis Leithold UC Berkeley Classes of 1962 California Inst of Technology Frances Dealtry University of San Francisco
Student Poetry
These poems were written in conjunction with the California Poets in the Schools (CPITS) program that is underwritten at Lowell by the Lowell Alumni Association. These poems have been selected for inclusion in the 2013 CPITS statewide poetry anthology. Susan Terence is the CPITS poet who has worked tirelessly with Lowell 9th graders for the past several years.
Cold by Stephanie Li, 9th grade I’ve known cold smoky breaths Frozen winters Numb hard skin Mian pao made from fabric scraps ice trickling out of wounds i am the daughter of screams yells when the Japanese take papa Cries when mama dies Whimpers when I take mei mei and run Deafening silence when I realize I’m all alone (Why is silence louder than the screams?)
Erasing old textbooks Sending mei mei to school with them While I walk into factories Poisonous sawdust and chemicals in the air Sandpapering rough wood until it shines Plucking horse tails until they ring clear My desperate face gleams back From delicate instruments stringing sweet music (That don’t hold an ounce of truth in their beauty) Streets shrouded in darkness Footsteps echoing through the night
As if mocking my loneliness I arrive at the choi stand Only to find it ravaged Mere leaves left on rotting wood Another starving night another cold night Another sleepless night Another night of fear for tomorrow Will the Japanese find us? Will there be food tomorrow? Will I make any money tomorrow? Endless Everything is so cold. So small So alone in this big world.
August Moon Over San Francisco by Thomas White, 9th grade From up here the city looks so fragile so faint so cold somebody left it here on the way to the car next to the cigarettes saved for tomorrow somebody dropped it here fumbling with change
as people jostled for tickets to nowhere somebody forgot it here remembered but didn’t tell the flight attendant until too late and it fell and it splattered and it flowed like a dark, sickly honey quenching the green fires of life in the sands:
stifling the wetlands filling the valleys terracing the hills sending steel feelers across grey waters through the grey sky not malicious but confused perhaps lost
Spring 2013 u Lowell Alumni Association u Page 5
Robotics Team Makes World Championships For Second Time By Ofri Harlev ’14 Lowell’s FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics team, known as Team 4159 CardinalBotics, has achieved much this past year. This season’s FIRST challenge was Ultimate Ascent — the team had just six weeks to design and build a robot to compete in a modified version of Ultimate Frisbee. During each match, opposing teams of three robots each try to throw Frisbees into goals on each end of the field. At the end of the match, some robots attempt to climb the three levels of the pyramid for bonus points.
CardinalBotics built a full court shooter that performed quite well at two regional tournaments and at the World Championships. CardinalBotics built a full court shooter that performed quite well at two regional tournaments and at the World Championships. We made it to the semifinals at the Central Valley regional in Madera, CA and finals at the Silicon Valley regional in San Jose. Our performance at
Last-minute adjustments are made to the CardinalBotics robot.
CardinalBotics team members (far right) pose with their robot and other Robotics teams at the Silicon Valley Regional in San Jose. Silicon Valley allowed us to compete at the 2013 World Championships in St. Louis, making this the second consecutive year that CardinalBotics has qualified for the World Championships, a truly phenomenal achievement for a program that began just two years ago. We finished 68th in our division and I was fortunate enough to win the Dean’s List award, given to ten students each year who exemplify the values of the FIRST organization, help spread the message of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), and reflect high performance in their school work. CardinalBotics’ performance at Championships put us in the top 10% of FIRST teams in the world! However, our season was not limited to competition — we also participated in many educational events and helped to make the community a better place. We showed off our robot at Maker’s Faire, AT&T Park Discovery Day and at the Campus’s 50th anniversary. The team also helped spread FIRST to other schools in the Bay Area. Now we want to continue that process. Any alumni interested in CardinalBotics or helping to set up a robotics team at
Ofri Harlev ’14 (fifth from right) poses with other 2013 Dean’s List award winners another school (including elementary and middle schools) are invited to contact us at pr@team4159.org. Other than trying to spread FIRST to the rest of the community, the team also plans to volunteer at San Francisco public libraries to help with a new Lego Mindstorms program that will be taught at some of the branches this summer. CardinalBotics has grown significantly this year, thanks to sponsorship of the Lowell Alumni Association and other generous donors. From a team that last year worked only with hand tools, this year CardinalBotics added a drill press, band saw, tabletop three-axis mill and a lathe. We also grew from last year’s 42 students to
about 65 this year and plan to keep growing. Beginning in the 2013-14 academic year, Lowell will offer a two-year robotics sequence of courses aimed at training students in this amazing program. The team also benefited from the work of many amazing mentors this year, including Noel Commins (father of Nick Commins ’05). It has been a crazy year for the Lowell robotics team and we couldn’t have done it without you. We hope that the upcoming year will hold much more for our CardinalBotics Team!
Lowell Alumni Providing Critical Services Two dozen Lowell alumni, including physicians and other staff members, work at North East Medical Services (NEMS), a non-profit community health center serving
the medically underserved populations of the San Francisco Bay Area at eight locations. With over 40 years of experience, NEMS is one of the largest health centers
serving Asians in the United States. At last December’s NEMS holiday party, these hard-working alumni gathered for a group photo.
Team members prepare the robot for another round of competition.
Stress Free Fair Benefits From Alumni Support
Back row (from left): Dr. Monica Kwan ’97 (pediatrician), Dr. Jerry Jew ’92 (family practitioner, associate medical director), Dr. Helen Wong ’99 (family practitioner), Dr. Melissa Wong ’99 (family practitioner), Dr. Rena Hu ’98 (obstetrician), Dr. Virginia Hon ’04 (pharmacist), Martin Hoh ’06 (pharmacy technician), Rubi Sanchez ’07 (project manager) and Johnson Wong ’79 (chief financial officer). Front row: Dr. Philip Chow ’88 (pediatrician), Dr. Cordelia Achuck-Saito ’83 (dental director), Dr. Mabel Yang ’01 (pediatrician), Dr. Susan Cadinha Marks ’73 (radiology consultant), Dr. Robyn Hong Skuse ’76 (pharmacist), Dr. Eland Yu ’92 (pharmacist), Andrey Chow ’96 (programs and development manager), Jane Liu ’07 (optometry assistant), Dr. Judy Hsu ’88 (internist) and Evelyn Hum Louie ’70 (registered nurse, ob/gyn department). Inset: Dr. Jonathan Wong ’78 (obstetrician/gynecologist).
Members of Lowell’s Peer Resources Program express their thanks for the Lowell Alumni Association’s financial support for the annual Stress Free Fair that offers a variety of activities to help students learn to handle stress, ranging from yoga and Zumba classes to a bouncy house.
Page 6 u Lowell Alumni Association u Spring 2013
Theater Students Win Big at Ohlone College Theater Festival! By Teresa Bookwalter, Chair, Visual & Performing Arts Department Our springtime bus ride to Fremont (paid for by the Lowell Alumni Association) was filled with the singing voices of excited students anticipating a weekend of their favorite things: theater and competition. 77 theater and theater tech students — our largest group in many years — participated in the prestigious Ohlone Theater Festival along with students from 25 other high schools towards the end of March. This was Lowell’s 15th year at the festival, and every year it serves to give our students an opportunity to challenge themselves and test the excellence of our theater program. We have been successful in the past because of our commitment to excellence and the passion of our students for the arts, and this year was no exception. Our theater department brought a myriad of entries ranging from classical monologues, to dramatic and comedic one-act plays, to short four-minute
scenes, to musicals and various tech events, all of which did well. The rigorous two-day festival was a challenge gladly embraced by all of the students involved. Each event performs in two preliminary rounds and one final round if the pieces qualify. All of our students are encouraged to interact with the other participants and support each other throughout the competition. We pride ourselves on exceedingly respectful students and though the competition is always fierce, we always come home with more friends than we arrived with. Our efforts were not rewarded with the Sweepstakes trophy, as they were last year, but we were very pleased to receive a total of 12 first place trophies, 41 second place trophies and one third place trophy for individual pieces. Many thanks to the Lowell Alumni Association for your generous support of this important annual event that does so much for our theater and theater tech programs!
Lowell’s theater and theater tech squads celebrate after a long weekend of competition at the Ohlone College Theater Festival in Fremont.
77 talented Lowell students traveled to Ohlone Community College to participate in the annual Theater Festival. Listed below are the students who competed in a variety of challenging categories, and in many cases emerged victorious! Alexandra Beem* Nicholas Bourgault** Isabel Boutiette** Alma Carranza* Luciano Chan Praise Ching** Yuna Choe*** Cambria Chou-Freed** Shirley Chun** Avery Chung-Melina Kate Colebrook Ana Comesana Gabriella Cory Ruby Drake* Rajan Dumbhalia** Susanna Dyre-Greensite** Jack Fang** Quinn Francis*/** Hiromi Fujita** Campbell Gee** Charlie Gregaratos** Akeylah Hernandez Jason Ho** Jakob Hofso Rebecca Hughes Teresa Ibarra** Rebecca Jacobson*/** Lydia Jenkins-Slecowski Marlena Jung** Izabel Jusino Mia Kalo** Kali Kecskemeti Mira Kelly-Fair** Alexander Kharag** Kendra Kop Allison Lee** Wendy Li**
Reyana Maguad Katherine McCarthy Priscilla Melo** Elizabeth Merski** Nicholoas Mesler** Nora Mitchell Cecily Montgomery* Joshua Muller** Jackson Murphy Miriam Myers* Jerry Ng Aaron O’Hearn** Srinand Parathyiyil** Louise Prescott** Sanna Rafalovich** Selena Saad* Rachel Scales Train Schickele**/** Adam Southwick Majenta Strongheart Clara Swan-Streepy* Lauren Taylor** Penina Valencia** Kimberly Verzano** Ilya Verhbinsky** Elisa Vidales** Madelyn Vilhauer* Jamar Villagracia Sophia Warren** Heather Weiss*/** Sophia Weiss** Kevin Wong** Matthew Wong** Yu Ling Wu* *= placed first in their event **= placed second in their event ***= placed third in their event
Hebrew instructor Batia Horsky (center) with students celebrating Purim.
Alumnus Rescues Hebrew Program, Seeks Ongoing Support The history of the Hebrew language program at Lowell — one of the only such programs at any public high school in America — has been filled with great challenges and even greater successes, but nothing compares to the recent accomplishments of alumnus Sam Lauter ’81 in spearheading the effort to preserve the program for current students. Ten years ago, statewide budget cuts resulted in the Lowell administration’s decision to eliminate funding for the Hebrew program. That’s when alumnus Alan Wendroff ’50, in his role as Vice President of Planning & Development for the Lowell Alumni Association, established strong partnerships with San Francisco State University’s Jewish Studies program and the Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund that allowed Hebrew classes to continue at Lowell under the auspices of San Francisco State University with funding provided by the Goldman Fund. But following Richard Goldman’s death in 2010 and pursuant to his wishes, the Goldman Fund ceased operations, thus leaving Lowell’s Hebrew program without funding for the 2012-13 year. At that point, Sam Lauter arrived on the scene as the father of an entering 9th grader who was eager to study Hebrew at Lowell. Following meetings with Hebrew instruc-
tor Batia Horsky, Sam began contacting potential donors both within and outside the Lowell community last summer. In the end, those donors provided nearly $30,000 and the Lowell Alumni Association added another $5,000 to fully fund the program for the 2012-13 school year. Thanks to Sam’s efforts, 17 students were able to enroll this year in one of the two sections of Hebrew offered at Lowell (covering four different ability levels) and thanks to Ms. Horsky’s hard work, student demand for Hebrew continues to grow, with more than 20 students requesting Hebrew next school year. Unfortunately, the program finds itself once again at a crossroads, due to the fact that efforts to secure major grant funding for 2013-14 have not yet been successful. So the struggle continues, but all involved are cautiously optimistic that the program will survive the latest challenge and continue to serve all who want to student Hebrew at Lowell, both Jewish and non-Jewish students alike. If you would like to help preserve Lowell’s Hebrew language program or have leads on charitable foundations that might be interested in funding this unique program, please contact LAA Executive Director Terry Abad at terry.abad@ lowellalumni.org or (415) 759-7830.
Spring 2013 u Lowell Alumni Association u Page 7
Speech and Debate Squad Competes at State and National Tournaments Continuing the great progress members of the Lowell Forensic Society made last year, when Lowell hosted the California High School Speech Association’s state championship tournament, a total of seven students qualified to compete at the 2013 CHSSA championships held last month in
Santa Clarita (Los Angeles county). Lowell was represented by two Policy Debate teams (Cailin Hong ’13 & Rachel Ng ’13; Michelle Li ’13 & Luis Valle ’14), one Parliamentary Debate team (Marc Cunningham ’14 & Jeffrey Chen ’14) and one Humorous Interp competitor (Yu Ling Wu ’14).
Lowell’s 2013 State Championship Qualifiers and Alternates. Front row (from left): Joe Genolio ’15, Luis Valle ’14, Mitchell Chan ’14, Jeffrey Chen ’14 and Marc Cunningham ’14. Back row: Cailin Hong ’13, Michelle Li ’13, Yu Ling Wu ’14 and Rachel Ng ’13.
Both of our Policy Debate teams finished in the top 12 statewide and our overall team performance placed us among the top 20% of schools competing at the state championships, by far Lowell’s best performance in more than a decade. Just as impressive, seniors Michelle Li and Rachel Ng marked their third consecutive year of competition at the state championships. And for the first time since 2007, a Lowellite will compete at the National Forensic League’s championship tournament, to be held in mid-June in Birmingham, Alabama. Yu Ling Wu, a talented comedic actress, will vie with the nation’s best in Humorous Interpretation. In total, nearly 100 students on Lowell’s speech and debate squad participated in one or more of two dozen tournaments held throughout the Bay Area and beyond during the 2012-13 year. Travel tournaments this year included University of the Pacific, CSU Long Beach and La Costa Canyon (San Diego county). The Lowell Forensic Society is most appreciative of the significant financial support for tournament entry fees and travel expenses provided by the Lowell Alumni Association and other supporters, who make it possible for all interested students to participate in speech and debate.
2013 National Championship Qualifier Yu Ling Wu ’14 (left) with Semifinalist Catrina Sun-Tan ’14.
Recent Editorials from The Lowell Below are excerpts from some recent editorials from Lowell’s national award-winning student newspaper, The Lowell. To see the full text of these editorials along with other campus news, please visit www.thelowell.org.
New rescheduling policy speeds up process, but not inconvenience-free (February 3, 2013) Students unhappy with their schedule were greeted with a new challenge as they returned from break this semester. Instead of being able to speak with their counselors, they were required to fill out paperwork — a Course Change Request Form, more commonly referred to as a “pink slip.” This change in procedure was designed to improve efficiency, but for students merely made the process to change courses even more time-consuming and confusing. There are two major flaws in the system that need addressing: the lack of a unified procedure among the counselors and the negation of any simple way for a student to arrange a meeting with their counselor about their schedule. There are students who have circumvented the system altogether. “The system is kind of redundant because I went in and talked to my counselor and got my schedule fixed without using a pink slip,” junior Arbel Efraty said. There are also students who have had quite the opposite experience. “I went in to have my schedule changed and I was told no and to get out of the office,” said junior Luciano Chan, who is also a photographer-in-training for The Lowell. “I wasn’t asked to fill out a pink slip; I just left.” If students do not know what kind of reception they will be greeted with the system becomes unreliable. This causes confusion, can lead to mistakes and eventually someone will be left behind. The counselors need to come up with a uniform system and inform the students properly of what that system is. So while the counseling office personnel is aiming to improve the system, they need to acknowledge the flaws in their plan and make the necessary changes. Any changes made to the procedure need to be explained to students properly and implemented fully. Most importantly, a process must be enacted so that students can organize a meeting face to face with their counselors if the pink slips are not the most practical way to solve their problems. We cannot be held at the mercy of a piece of paper.
Lowell AP courses must keep teacher consistency (February 3, 2013) The beginning of the semester can be a great time to start anew, but an unexpected schedule change can leave one frustrated. As any Lowellite knows, taking an Advanced Placement class can put extra stress on an already demanding schedule. This burden is lightened — at least during Arena — by the guarantee to keep the AP teacher one had in the fall, a policy enacted just five years ago. According to the policy “implemented by the administrative council, the policy requires AP English, AP World History, AP European History and AP Biology students to stay with the teacher they had during the fall semester.” Though the policy required an adjustment at the time, students and staff did adjust. Unfortunately, now students are finding out that it appears the policy is not being adhered to consistently, putting many in a difficult situation. Although yearlong courses are the exception at Lowell, AP courses are particularly appropriate to have the consistency provided by one teacher. In addition to individual teaching styles, teachers also tend to
travel through the course at varying speeds. And if one is given a different teacher, they might be behind or ahead of their new classmates, leaving them to either catch up or repeat the work they have already completed. It is also common for AP teachers to assign homework over winter break. This is possible because teachers expect the same individuals to be on their spring class list. If a student is placed with another teacher for their AP class, their winter break work becomes worthless, and they might be required to make up different homework for their new teacher. The idea of “locked classes” is commonplace at most schools, and for specific courses it should become a reality here. The policy from 2008 addressed specific courses that would keep students with the same teacher. The administration should update the list of courses covered by this policy to include a wider range of classes in appropriate departments. Most importantly, students should be told what to expect when signing up for an AP course. If a student is not guaranteed to receive the same teacher in the spring semester, it should be explicitly stated. Arena (also known as self-scheduling) is already a stressful event. Almost every participant is unsure about what teachers will still be available once they burst through the double doors of the gymnasium. What gives many a sigh of relief is thinking they will not have to worry about their AP classes, and the last thing Lowell students need is extra — and unnecessary — stress.
Joking about sexual assault only trivializes the subject of rape (April 16, 2013) Stepping out from a history exam, one may hear the phrases “That test was so easy, I totally raped it!” or “Ugh, I just got raped by that test, it was so difficult!” floating through the hallways. A colloquial or more lighthearted usage of the word rape is common among adolescents nowadays, using it as a synonym for “owning” — slang for dominating in an activity. However, the definition of rape is “unlawful and/or unwanted sexual activity carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against the will of a person who is beneath a certain age or is unwilling to/incapable of giving valid consent,” as cited in definitions from Wikipedia and Merriam-Webster. It is a violent, often traumatic, crime. Although both the slang definition and the actual definition of “rape” relate to dominance, they should not be used interchangeably. Joking about a serious topic like rape may appear to make it less scary, but the non-serious usage not only trivializes the word, but leads to the desensitizing of this traumatic crime. Recently, the nation followed the lives of a rape victim — a 16-year-old girl — and two high school football players found guilty in a Steubenville, Ohio rape case. Much of the evidence used against the males comprised of text messages, cell phone pictures and even video from the accused and their peers. During the trial, a video was anonymously leaked of said peers joking about the rape. The 12-minute video is disturbing, to say the least. Throughout the video, a young male identified to be a friend of the accused can be heard making horrific jokes about the alleged rape. They include, “she was deader than a doorknob” and “she was so raped.” This language reflects the male’s unserious attitude toward rape and sexual assault, and that attitude contributed to the lack of assistance given to the girl by anyone at the criminal activity. Wellness Center Community Outreach Worker Lauren Reyes weighs in. “Rape and other forms of abuse come from lack of respect to other people and oneself,” she said. “Any joke like that at its core is an act of hatred and I don’t think that belongs anywhere, especially where people are learning, growing and are really impressionable.” We all need to learn, understand and empathize. Joking about rape only trivializes the crime: don’t do it.
Page 8 u Lowell Alumni Association u Spring 2013
Keeping In Touch… 1933
GEORGE BLACKMORE writes, “Always great to get news about Lowell. Are there many of the Class of December 1933 still alive? I have remarried and just marked our 8th anniversary.” [Editor’s Note: According to the alumni database, we are still in touch with 13 classmates — anybody up for an 80-year reunion?]
attack, pneumonia and sprained ankle because of a fall. I’ll have to be more careful where and how I step! Otherwise all is well again for a 91 year-old, playing bridge every week and doing my exercises at Curves several times a week. Most important is that both of us are still in our own home. So life is good with some help from our daughter and son – we have much to be grateful for.”
1936
1941
Spring & Fall
Spring & Fall
JUNE DEGANNA ADAMS reports, “Still working three hours a day for the orthopedists – it was 50 years ago I started with them. Have enjoyed being a part of our school’s graduation ceremony. Proud to be an alum of our great school.”
1937
Spring & Fall
JANET BALL HAYWARD proclaims, “I am pleased and amazed to see the picture of my 1937 classmates celebrating our 75-year reunion in your last edition. I’m sorry that I couldn’t attend. I’ve been living in a lovely senior community in Laguna Hills, California. My two daughters live nearby. I’m still able to get around and enjoy the area. Thanks for the Lowell news — keep it up!” CECELIA STEINBERG HURWICH has just released her memoir, “92 and Dancing.” Dr. Hurwich is a psychologist, researcher, writer, feminist, environmental activist and worldwide speaker on the subject of vitality in aging. For more information or to order her book, please visit http://ceceliahurwich.wordpress.com.
1938
Spring & Fall
FRANK BRUSH — see DON DAVIS ’39. GLENETTE ALLEN NOREEN cheers, “Greetings to my classmates of the 1938 graduating class. I feel fortunate at age 93 to still be a part of the alumni association and read news of other grads of my class.” DORIS ROHLFS STEWART writes, “Enjoy my harp and piano, classical music and extensive travel plus my Lowell friends EDNA LUCY SMITH ’39, CAROL BARNES SWEET ’38 and MARY ELIZABETH O’BRIEN AULMANN ’38. Fond memories of Lowell!”
1939
Spring & Fall
YVONNE CYR KOSHLAND broadcasts, “My 90th birthday was celebrated with a tour of San Francisco Bay on the USS Potomac with 85 members of my combined families, followed by a landside party featuring poems, songs, skits and much laughter. Hi to fellow members of the Class of ’39.” DON DAVIS shares, “Good news from three old Lowell alumni. We enjoy the camaraderie of Lowell here at the Tamalpais in Marin county. I can still enjoy the echo of the noise NOBLE HAMILTON ’39 made in the locker room at the (old) Lowell. FRANK BRUSH ’38 is my quieter friend, then and now. Long time good friends, together to the end.” TERESA GUILFOIL SIEBERT updates, “I moved from Fresno, where I had lived for 34 years, to Carmichael, near Sacramento, to a retirement community called Eskaton Village Carmichael. Eskaton means ‘new dawn’ – I was glad to hear it didn’t mean ‘sunset haven!’ My daughter and her husband live near here and it seemed the right move to make while I could make it myself – and it is.”
1940
Spring & Fall
EVE VOIGT HOLLENBERG recounts, “2012 didn’t start out very well for me – light heart
Spring & Fall
JOHN PREOVOLOS says, “Just had my 90th and keeping very busy as I volunteer for four different organizations.” JOHN GOLDSMITH GALEN celebrates, “At age 88-plus, still vertical and moving. Enjoying retired life in Menlo Park. Looking forward to touring the ‘new’ Lowell in 2013.”
1942
Spring & Fall
BOB CROWDER & JACKIE KENFIELD CROWDER semaphore, “We are just now getting used to being land-lubbers again, sold our Grand Banks in the San Juan Islands after 15 years of sailing. Hoping for a reunion sometime soon, the sand is running out.” MARIE LOBIANCO ANNUZZI trumpets, “Can’t believe I’m 70 years out of Lowell. Celebrating the big 8-8 this year with friends and family at Lake Merced Country Club. It’s been a great ride and with a little bit of luck it will continue.” DONALD HEYNEMAN suggests, “Fun and useful retirement activity: Serving as a docent at the California Academy of Sciences — highly recommended!” PHILIS LUDLAM GOLD messages, “I’m still volunteering at Greenwich Hospital (in Connecticut) with my Yorkshire terrier, Caesar, a certified therapy dog. We both love it and it’s such a good feeling to see people smile when the dogs come into the lobby.”
1943
Spring & Fall
HENRY GIMMEL reminisces, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Eucalyptus Drive campus, “In my mind’s eye, I can still see Hayes and Masonic, the park panhandle and the walk to get a street car back to the Sunset district. Congratulations, Lowell – you have been a great help/reference for me in my past business and military life. I’m now a 49-year member of the National Ski Patrol System and worked the last day of the season at our local ski resort, just north of Boise, that coincided with my 87th birthday.” JOAN LEVY ZENTNER gives a status, “I have a busy life with friends and family. Still traveling and trying to finish I book I started, will let you know when it’s finished. Busy on the internet, you can find me on facebook. Love to all.” HENRY GIMMEL reminisces, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Eucalyptus Drive campus, “In my mind’s eye, I can still see Hayes and Masonic, the park panhandle and the walk to get a street car back to the Sunset district. Congratulations, Lowell – you have been a great help/reference for me in my past business and military life. I’m now a 49-year member of the National Ski Patrol System and worked the last day of the season at our local ski resort, just north of Boise, that coincided with my 87th birthday.” JOAN LEVY ZENTNER gives a status, “I have a busy life with friends and family. Still traveling and trying to finish I book I started, will let you know when it’s finished. Busy on the internet, you can find me on facebook. Love to all.”
Walter Feil – Fall 1929 On April 14, 2013, just a day after Lowell’s Eucalyptus Drive campus marked its 50th anniversary, Walter Feil had to upstage us by celebrating his 100th birthday! Known as the “humor man” in several venues at Lytton Gardens in Palo Alto, where he resides, Walter continues to display a great zest for life and takes great pride in his Lowell High School roots. Best wishes for a great 101st year, Walter!
1944
Spring & Fall
BILL NOVALES trumpets, “Still teaching piano in Westlake and am President of the Golden Gate Branch of the Music Teachers Association of California. You can find me in the Yellow Pages.” [Editor’s Note: For younger alumni, the Yellow Pages consisted of a huge book plopped onto your doorstep annually listing address and phone numbers of local businesses. You can also find Mr. Novales by googling “William Novales” and “piano.”] DAVID MAYER updates, “Still in Santa Rosa at Varenna, going on five years now. Did South America, going to Italy in May. Three children, all Cal grads, gainfully employed.” LOWELL “BUD” SIMON shouts, “Hello to my old friends. I’m in Oakmont (Santa Rosa) and still kickin’.” HARRY ZEMANSKY recalls, “In WWII and the Korean War; took Merla Zellerbach to the Bal Tavern to see Sophie Tucker; have lived in Corning, CA for the past 33 years.”
1945
Spring & Fall
WILLIAM EVERS happily reports he is “still of this world, working (house counsel) four days a wee in San Francisco. I have four children and 10 grandchildren by my first wife as well as two step-children and three step-grandchildren by my second wife (still married). All live in the Bay Area except for the oldest granddaughter who lives in France. I’m proud to have been the founder of the League to Save Lake Tahoe and of the Planning and Conservation League. Also one of three founders of Alpine Meadows (Tahoe ski resort) and a founder of Boreal Ridge ski area. I was head of Economic Development under Mayor Dianne Feinstein, chair of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission and President of SPUR (SF Planning and Urban Research). Great life!” MURIEL HARRISON CABRAL is now living in the East Bay at the Rossmoor retirement community where she does some ballroom dancing and play a lot of bocce ball.
1946
Spring & Fall
MILTON CERF messages “Living in Santa Rosa at Varenna, an independent living facility, with 12 other Lowellites and very happy – just heard from JUNE FIORI BARNETT F’46, who also lives here. Have lunch monthly at the Olympic Club with Lowell ’46 classmates FRED FIELD and LOU ARONIAN.” MARSHALL ZEMON heralds, “Still enjoying retirement by traveling between our home in Belmont and our condo in Carlsbad (San Diego county).” RONALD LEON asks, “How about another reunion for the Classes of 1946 and 1947? After all, we’re not getting any younger.” JOCELYN MITCHELL NASH signals, “Warmest regards to members of the Class of June 1946 – so long ago! I still race sailboats occasionally but am retired from selling sails. Would love to see old classmates – e-mail address is jocelynnash@att.net. I had a great
time serving as a judge during the state forensics competition at the ‘new’ Lowell last April. Just like old times.”
1947
Spring & Fall
WANDALINE CARTER PERELLI queries, “Anybody up for another ’47 reunion? Let me know and I’ll gather the troops! wandy571@ aol.com.” YASUKO MORITA IKEDA announces, “I am living at Leisure World in Landsdowne, Virginia.” CHARLES FOGE — see BARBARA GOODWIN FOGE ’48 NATHAN “BUD” SCHNEIDER checks in from Boerne, Texas to say “Looking forward to the next reunion, but do we have to wait until 2017? The armadillos down here are getting older, and so are we!” [Editor’s Note: Reminds me of the old saying that the only thing in the middle of the road in Texas are dead armadillos.] BOB SOCKOLOV corresponds, “Still retired but working very diligently with several nonprofit boards: the Institute on Aging, Youth Tennis Advantage and Maccabi U.S. Sports. Celebrated another World Series Championship with the Giants and still trying to compete in senior tennis.” RUTH GALLAHER LEIJON jots, “Two yearold great-grandson and his parents lived with me seven weeks this summer while parents house-hunted in San Francisco. Good decision! Busy time!”
1948
Spring & Fall
BARBARA GOODWIN FOGE reports that she and husband CHARLES FOGE F’47 recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Congratulations! NADINE EHRENBERG MONETTA exclaims, “Congratulations to all my classmates who have lived this long!! Just recuperated from my second full knee replacement and am back to trying to find my golf swing. Look forward to celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary this May. Regards to all.” LAWRENCE GOLDSMITH is “glad to report that after two years in the Army during the Korean Conflict, my wife and I settled in Salt Lake City, where I was in the retail business for 20 years and later served in Utah state government for another 20 years. Married for 60 years, we have four children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.” MORTON HORN jots, “Retired optometrist.”
1949
Spring & Fall
DOLPH ROSEKRANS boasts, “Still at it — architecture, tennis, Woodside Planning Commission, farm equipment collection.”
continued on page 13
Spring 2013 u Lowell Alumni Association u Page 9
Campus Celebrates Lowell Celebrates! Big 5-0 In Style Planning Committee
continued from page 1 ’64 (daughter of the late Principal Jasper Perino), former Principal Paul Cheng and current Principal Andrew Ishibashi. Other distinguished speakers included retired faculty member and Lowell Alumni Association Executive Director Emeritus Paul Lucey and former SF Unified School District Interim Superintendent of Schools Gwen Chan ’63, a member of the very first graduating class from the “new” Lowell. The welcoming ceremonies also included recognition of alumni who were part of the student body when the “new” Lowell opened its doors in 1962 and of the oldest alumni in attendance. Another special guest was LAA Southern California chapter President Helen Louie Wax ’66. Fittingly, the welcoming ceremony ended with the Lowell Advanced Choir leading the crowd in singing the Lowell Hymn. The day then unfolded with a myriad of performance, demonstrations and dropin opportunities throughout the campus, highlighting many of Lowell’s finest programs, including Mock Trial, Ceramics, Peer Resources, Poets in the Schools, Lowell Science Research Program, Forensics (Speech/Debate), Chemistry Show Club,
Claudia Wolf Eshoo ’67 Event Chair
Frank Grijalva ’64
TerenceJournalism, Abad ’76 Christina Lee Drama, Yearbook, JROTC Melanie Burk Baron ’64 Mark Mosheim ’73 DrumNancyand Bugle Corps, JROTC Girls Lee Begonia ’67 Yvonne Ng ’82 Drill Roberta Team, Robotics, Jazz Band, Advanced Bleiweiss ’65 Geraldine Rosen-Park ’77 Marc Christensen ’64 Sherie Lynne Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra. At Yazman the ’65 Ehrman III ’41 Toy Yee ’73 same Joseph time, there were plenty ofRita opportunities for alumni and friends to get reconAcknowledgements nected while also enjoying several Lowell Alumni Association Kirstengourmet Janssen Celebrates! Committee The Lowell and Huiman Zhang food Lowell trucks offering a range of delicacies. Lowell Faculty and Staff Me So Hungry Food Truck Sliders Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Lowell JROTC, Ron Credito Michele Winter, Jason Chan eventAndrew was Jensen the fact that a goodPhotobeats number of Gee ’03 and Natalie Barbara Dahl Shield and Scroll Lowell alumni from the 1940s, most of Frozen Kuhsterd Dessert Truck Sunrise Deli Food Truck whomGeorgette had Petropoulos never before set Terry footBookwalter, on theKyla Morris ’70 Hongry Kong Food Truck Tim Hall Eucalyptus Drive campus, joined us ’70 to celHanson ’50 Wall of Tradition Honorees ebrateJackthis important milestone in Lowell history.
50th Anniversary of the Eucalyptus Drive Campus
Saturday, April 13, 2013 10 am to 4 pm
The Lowell Hymn
Special thanks are due to Shield & Scroll With heads bared we stand, and all of the many student organizations In tribute to thee,a great that helped to make the day such Alma-Mater Lowell experience. And, mostOur importantly, Claudia All true to thee we’ll be. Wolf Eshoo ’67 and her hard-working planUnfurled, red and white ning committee deserveNone credit for pulling it shall thee decry, all together. Serving onThy thename committee we love, were O Low-ell Terence Abad ’76, Melanie BurkHigh Baron ’64, Nancy Lee Begonia ’67, Roberta Bleiweiss ’65, Marc Christensen ’64, Joseph Ehrman III ’41, Frank Grijalva ’64, Christina Cheng, Mark Mosheim ’73, Yvonne Ng ’82, Geraldine Rosen-Park ’77, Sherie Lynne Yazman ’65 and Rita Toy Yee ’73.
SF Board of Education Commissioner Emily Murase ’83 welcomes alumni in the Carol Channing Theater.
Former Principal Paul Cheng with (from right to left) SF Supervisor Malia Cohen ’96 (District 11); SF Supervisor Katy Tang ’02 (District 4); and Dyanna Quizon ’02, aide to Supervisor Tang.
The Carol Channing Theater was packed with alumni and friends.
Lowell Celebrates!
Lowell Alumni Association • PO Box 320009 • S.F., CA 94132-0009 Phone: (415) 759-7830 Website: www.lowellalumni.org
Paul Lucey, LAA Executive Director Emeritus, shares memories of Lowell history.
Linda Perino Martin ’64 addresses alumni on behalf of her late father, former Principal Jasper Perino.
Current Principal Andrew Ishibashi offers an “aloha” to the Lowell family.
Choir Director Jason Chan leads the Lowell Advanced Choir.
Page 10 u Lowell Alumni Association u Spring 2013
Orchestra Director Michele Winter introduces the Lowell Symphonic Orchestra. The Lowell JROTC Drum and Bugle Corps filled the courtyard with sound.
Showing off their Lowell spirit are classmates (from left) Roberta Bleiweiss ’65, Jean Sample Moore-Woods ’65 and Sherie Lynne Yazman ’65.
The Lowell Jazz Band transformed the Carol Channing Theater into a swinging club.
The Lowell JROTC Girls Drill Team performs in the front courtyard.
Master of Ceremonies Jack Hanson ’50 with Roberta Bleiweiss ’65.
Shield and Scroll volunteers helped to greet more than 1,200 alumni and friends.
Spring 2013 u Lowell Alumni Association u Page 11
SF Giants CEO and President Larry Baer ’75 spoke after being introduced by LAA President Lisa Coughlin Clay ’74 (center) as a new addition to the Lowell Wall of Tradition, along with noted local artist Betty Lipshultz Guy ’38 (right).
Wall of Tradition Honorees Larry Baer ’75 • Jennifer Egan ’80 Charles Ferguson ’72 • Warren Hellman ’51 Betty Lipschultz Guy ’38 • Ambassador John V. Roos F’72 Pierre Salinger ’41 • Rear Admiral Jonathan Yuen ’79
Lisa Coughlin Clay ’74, President of the Lowell Alumni Association, introduced all eight new additions to the Lowell Wall of Tradition.
History book and merchandise sales were brisk in the Meyer Library.
LAA Executive Director Emeritus Paul Lucey (left) and Barbara Dahl were busy autographing copies of the Lowell Sesquicentennial History book they coauthored.
LAA Board members Anita Payton ’74 (far left) and Cathryn Brash ’43 helped to answer questions in the Carol Channing Theater lobby.
Members of CardinalBotics, Lowell’s robotics team, demonstrate the 2012 robot that was built to shoot basketballs.
Page 12 u Lowell Alumni Association u Spring 2013
Lowell ’76ers held a mini-reunion with (from left) Ross DeHovitz, Lynn Cameron Yokel, LAA Executive Director Terry Abad, Flora Burger Kupferman and Rachel Jahnson.
Alumni from the Classes of Fall 1962 and Spring 1963, the first to graduate from the Eucalyptus Drive campus, gathered for a group photo.
The Lowell Hymn With heads bared we stand, In tribute to thee, Our Alma-Mater Lowell All true to thee we’ll be. Unfurled, red and white None shall thee decry, Thy name we love, O Low-ell High
The center courtyard was once again a festive gathering place for alumni of various decades.
Food trucks lined Eucalyptus Drive.
Colorful signs created by Lowell art students helped classmates reconnect.
In keeping with the celebration of the 1962 opening of the Eucalyptus Drive campus, retired faculty member Bob McMains proudly displayed his 1962 Studebaker.
Members of the Chemistry Show Club display their new lab coats, provided by the Lowell Alumni Association.
Lowell Celebrates! Planning Committee Claudia Wolf Eshoo ’67 Event Chair Terence Abad ’76 Melanie Burk Baron ’64 Nancy Lee Begonia ’67 Roberta Bleiweiss ’65 Marc Christensen ’64 Joseph Ehrman III ’41
Frank Grijalva ’64 Christina Lee Mark Mosheim ’73 Yvonne Ng ’82 Geraldine Rosen-Park ’77 Sherie Lynne Yazman ’65 Rita Toy Yee ’73
Acknowledgements
Members of the Lowell Celebrates! Planning Committee (from left): Chairperson Claudia Wolf Eshoo ’67, Terry Abad ’76, Nancy Lee Begonia ’67, Roberta Bleiweiss ’65, Sherie Lynne Yazman ’65, Melanie Burk Baron ’64, Mark Mosheim ’73, Rita Toy Yee ’73 and Joseph Ehrman III ’41. Not pictured: Marc Christensen ’64, Frank Grijalva ’64, Christina Cheng, Yvonne Ng ’82 and Geraldine Rosen-Park ’77.
Lowell Alumni Association Lowell Celebrates! Committee Lowell Faculty and Staff Lowell JROTC, Ron Credito Andrew Jensen Barbara Dahl Frozen Kuhsterd Dessert Truck Georgette Petropoulos ’70 Hongry Kong Food Truck Jack Hanson ’50
Kirsten Janssen The Lowell and Huiman Zhang Me So Hungry Food Truck Sliders Michele Winter, Jason Chan Photobeats and Natalie Gee ’03 Shield and Scroll Sunrise Deli Food Truck Terry Bookwalter, Kyla Morris Tim Hall ’70 Wall of Tradition Honorees
The Lowell Hymn
L
Spring 2013 u Lowell Alumni Association u Page 13
Keeping In Touch… BARBARA FREEMAN WEBBER jots, “Still busy volunteering at SF Fine Arts Museum twice monthly and being a docent at the Academy of Sciences. Visited son MARC WEBBER ’75 in Homer, Alaska, where he is a marine biologist. Granddaughter Elise is a straight ‘A’ high school freshman! A very proud grandma says ‘hi’ to all from the Class of ’49.” JEANNE SUSNOW SASSOON writes, “I’ll be returning to San Francisco this year after 12 years in Palm Desert. One does leave their heart in San Francisco!” HARRY HAMBLY recounts, “After sailing the coast of Costa Rica on a ‘tall ship’, closing the doors of our business (Hambly Studios) and having the thrill of being grandparents for the first time, Vicky and I are truly enjoying life. It is always good to meet up with Lowellites throughout the year.”
1950
Spring & Fall
MARIE PHILLIPS OLSON types, “My husband Hal and I celebrated our 56th anniversary last December. We spent most of the past four years trying to protect Alhambra Valley in the East Bay from annexation. We are both retired from Acalanes High School where he was a counselor and I was chairlady of the English department.” DON GOLD reports, “Enjoying retirement and seeing classmates JACK HANSON, JERRY AMBINDER, DON & JACKIE FEINSTEIN, MICKEY KOPPICH and JACK ANDERSON. As we age (gracefully, I hope), it is gratifying to maintain our 60-year friendships. I am very grateful.” LARRY RABINOWITZ writes, “Still living in Davis; long retired from teaching physiology to medical students. Occasional visits with classmates ERNIE MALAMUD, JACK RISING, DON GREEN and DON FEINSTEIN are always a pleasure.” JERRY AMBINDER checks in, “Got together with classmates DON FEINSTEIN ’50, DON GOLD ’50 and JACKIE GOLDBERG FEINSTEIN ’51 in Studio City. Daughter JESSICA AMBINDER ROJAS ’83 is back in the Bay Area plying her trade as a feature animation editor for Dreamworks in Redwood City. BETTY TREVOR DAVIS sends greetings to “all my dear Lowell friends, GLORIA MUNSON CARLSON ’50, DORIS GRUTZMACHER KINSLEY ’50, ARLENE HAUGNER JOHNSON ’50, MARTHA KLOSTER DERUNTZ ’52, ALICE DELL’ERA PALMER ’50 and, of course, my sister DARLENE TREVOR NELSON ’52. Can you believe we are in our 80s or approaching? John and I are doing well – able to up hearth and home, including tending to 10 fruit trees and teaching piano. Latest count is 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.”
1951
Spring & Fall
RICK BRADLEY announces, “Now ‘Of Counsel’ at Bradley, Curley, Asiano, et al. in Larkspur. Took real estate exam and was hired by Coldwell Banker in Roseville at age 80, after remarrying in 2011. Have attended 60-year reunions for the classes of 1951 and 1952 at the St Francis Yacht Club and the Spinnaker in Sausalito – all very well done. We were blessed to be in high school at Lowell at a time between wars when the economy was strong. Message me at rickwbrad@msn.com.” DIANE SHEMANSKI dropped us a note earlier this year as she was on her way to the 2013 Rose Parade and Bowl game to watch her alma mater, Stanford, play Wisconsin. Glad to see that Diane witnessed Stanford’s first Rose Bowl win since 1971. JOHN SCHWABACHER exclaims, “I make it! Celebrating my 80th birthday together with my wife Madelene, daughter Beth Ann, son-in-law
Marvin Wenger and grandchildren Daniel and Lani. Living in Portola Valley, CA.” BERNARD “BUD” FRANKEL chronicles, “Am a retired Rabbi in Cleveland, Ohio. Also am an active hospice volunteer. I am very proud of Lowell’s forensics (speech and debate) team and remember how Lowell helped me become a literate and successful individual.” [Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Rabbi Frankel for his continuing support for the Lowell Forensic Society!] RAYMOND MALISPINA relates, “Recovering well from a fractured vertebrae – back to bowling, look forward to resuming golf. My wife Carol and I hope to resume travel in 2013. Two grandchildren in Texas continue in college. Life is good!” BILL WILLIAMSON dares, “If FRED GEORGE ’50 and RAY PERKINS ’52 are still looking at the green side of the grass, I bet I can beat them in a 440-yard race! Still doing some physics here, hiking, bluegrass banjo and surfing on Kaanapali beach, Maui.”
1952
Spring & Fall
RAY PERKINS shares, “The Spring class of 1952 has a wonderful reunion luncheon at the St Francis Yacht Club last October 13th. Many thanks to IRENE ENSTROM KAUS ’52 for all her work and for making arrangements at the yacht club.” JUDY BECHTEL announces, “Not much news from Merced. Good year for babies, though – two great-grandchildren born. Life is good!”
1953
Spring & Fall
LARRY AXTELL writes, “I am the retired head tennis pro at the California Tennis Club in SF, still teaching a few lessons there. Both of our sons graduated from Lowell (MATTHEW ’94 and MICHAEL ’01), as did my two brothers (DONALD F’60 and RICHARDSON F’51). We are loving grandparents, which means many trips East to enjoy that role.” JOAN ERBENTRAUT GORDON submits, “I’m retired in Salt Lake City, writing and just published an historical novel, ‘Gra Im Thu! I Love You!’, about two Irish families who immigrate to Utah in the early 1900s.” ALLAN MORRISON mentions, “Still practicing medicine after 44 years as Clinical Professor at UCLA School of Medicine. Married to ADRIANE MODLIN MORRISON ’54 for 55 years, with six wonderful grandchildren. Traveled recently to South Africa and Botswana.” STEWART WEINBERG briefs, “Still practicing law and Donna and I are enjoying our grandchildren.”
1954
Spring & Fall
CLAUDIA CAESAR NETTLE discloses, “We’re still living in ‘God’s country’ — skiing in winter, fishing in summer and traveling in between.” WILLIAM CHISUM reports, “All is well here in San Diego. Enjoying retirement from teaching with cruising, Holiday Bowl Committee, Lions Club and family. If you are in Southern California, don’t miss the 2014 Red & White Luncheon for all Lowell alumni in the area.” [Editor’s Note: Helen Louie Wax ’66 and her tireless committee — including Bill Chisum and others — always put on a great luncheon in Southern California.] ADRIANE MODLIN MORRISON — see ALLAN MORRISON ’53. EARL NORGARD writes, “We love Southern Oregon, but still have family and many friends
continued from page 8
in the Bay Area. Spent the Christmas holidays in the Bay Area and some time with CAROL HICKS ’55.”
the Class of ’57 — hope you had a good year. I am retired and enjoying it. If we have a reunion again, I can come out for it.”
NEAL PETERSEN advises, “Still actively practicing law on banking and financial issues in Washington, DC. Retirement is for sissies and sometimes can be fatal!”
EDWARD SHORTALL reports, “Life is good and so is the fishing.”
1955
Spring & Fall
DOMINIC CAPPUCCI informs, “I am a retired physician and my wife is a retired RN and family therapist. We have three daughters, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.” ROGER HERST announces, “My newest book, ‘A Simple Formula for Raising Happy Children’, was published this past January.” [Editor’s Note: Learn more about Rabbi Herst’s other books at www.rogerherst.com.] CAROL HICKS reports, “Our 57-year Reunion/75th birthday was great fun. Think we will do it more often.” HELEN WOO FONG happily messages, “Still alive and kicking, love living in San Francisco with husband Allen Fong. We have no dogs or cats, I have no grandkids. We are both retired, but my schedule is so full I can’t figure out how I used to have time for full-time work!”
1956
Spring & Fall
VICKI GREEN writes, “I have moved back to the Bay Area after having been gone almost 50 years. It is like being back home again. I now live in Napa while my son and his family live in San Francisco and my daughter and her family live in Washington state, so my husband and I are now closer to both families.” ROBERT HENRY relates, “I’m still here and going strong. I ran the Dipsea the last two years.” ARLENE KNACKE DELLARI posts, “Getting used to living here in the high desert of Sparks, Nevada Quite a change from Half Moon Bay, CA! A big thank you to YOLANDA MURCIA GIBSON ’56 and CHARLENE PETERSON VARGO ’56 for all their work in making our 55-year reunion dinner such a success!” ANTHONY MATHIOS admits, “I’m a desert rat in Tucson, learning how to play golf for the first time. Split my time between Arizona and Christchurch, New Zealand. Missed the recent get-together but hope to be there next time. Reach me at ajmathios@gmail.com.” JOELLE LEWIS BENIOFF exclaims, “I am thrilled to say my 5th grandchild is on the way!” JULI STAIGER POSTOL shares, “I really enjoyed my 55-year reunion on September 22, 2012 – connecting with classmates I hadn’t seen in ages and staying with my good friends Sandy Hartmann Stribolt ’56 and Yolanda Murcia Gibson ’56 & Jack Gibson ’56 was special. I hope to see even more from our January class in 2017!” JOAN SWIMMER GELLER invites, “Would love to get updates from fellow Spring ’56 grads. Life in Los Angeles is good, but miss the City.”
1957
Spring & Fall
REVA PASLIN SEGALL informs, “My husband (John Segall, Washington HS ’57) and I are living in San Mateo but the city still has an exciting and vibrant air for me. We are semiretired and doing some traveling. We have a 27 year-old granddaughter and a 3 year-old grandson. I loved my 50-year class reunion. Why didn’t I realize that I had so many really lovely classmates when I was at Lowell?” JOSEPH DORSIE says, “Here’s to everyone in
1958
Spring & Fall
HOWARD NEWBY broadcasts, “I have been keeping alert by reading all the scientific literature available for public consumption. I worry that by turning its back on science and intelligent design, America is engaging in a rehashed denial of Darwinism.” CHERIE SINGER WILLIAMS asks, “Are we having a 55-year reunion or waiting for 60? I’ve retired from the Seattle Aquarium after 25 years. Enjoying the time to relax, read, travel and work on long-neglected projects.” MICHAEL FLAHERTY updates, “My wife, Sharon, and I remain in Chicago. Our daughter, Molly, gave birth to our first grandchild, Elliot Ruben Flaherty. Son James is a Resident in anesthesia at Stanford. Sharon and I plan to retire to California sometime soon.” MIKE KAVANAUGH offers, “Greetings to my 1958 classmates. I am enjoying occasional golf outings with KENT JAKOBSEN ’57 and TONY ELLIS ’58 and the continuing connection with other grads thanks to RICKY RISBROUGH ’57 and his amazing collection of pictures and videos. I am still enjoying work in the environmental consulting business and service on various National Academy of Engineering boards and committees. Hope to see some of you in 2013.”
1959
Spring & Fall
JEANNE TOBIN BUSH laments “Sorry to hear about the death of long-time classmate ROSALIE ALLEN BAKER. We were together at Le Conte Grammar School, to Junior High and then on to Lowell. I had heart surgery last year and am still recovering from some complications. Looking forward to the April 2013 gathering!” JERRY BRAUNSTEIN shares, “We are celebrating 50 years of marriage in June. Mostly retired and traveling in our RV. This year we will drive to see our new grandson in Washington, DC, and will stay there to see and photograph the fall colors in New England.”
1960
Spring & Fall
CLAUDIA OPPENHEIM GARDNER updates, “Still working part-time as a dental hygienist and traveling – Africa, Alaska and Costa Rica this past January. Have reunited with classmates since our 50-year reunion.” MICHAEL BARRON writes, “I took a 13-day tour of China in 2012 – Shanghai to Beijing – it was fascinating. Going to Vietnam in 2013.”
1961
Spring & Fall
BRUCE BORGMAN mentions, “Retired two years ago after 40-plus years in clinical laboratory management, most recently 19 years at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa after 15 years at CPMC in SF. Dabbling at consulting, but mostly traveling this year to Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Ireland. Beats working!” FRANK DIMARCO mentions, “Still based in Portland, OR, traveling frequently, grandkids in Redwood City. www.dimarcogallery.com. Warmest regards to all.” JOHN HARRIS messages, “In 2001, we moved back to Northern California and now reside in Healdsburg, in the wine country. We bought a few acres on which we grow all sorts of produce, with melons being the stars. I retired from the apparel industry when I handled merchandising and some design. My wife, Diane, is a realtor.
continued on page 14
Page 14 u Lowell Alumni Association u Spring 2013
Keeping In Touch… We’re both currently enjoying the good life. Greetings to the Class of ’61.” T.R. MARINO announces, “Doris and I are still doing great and enjoying life, love and the sunsets of the high desert of Southern California. Our two daughters are progressing well in their chosen careers. Our oldest, Audrey, is getting her masters in education after getting our three grandchildren up and on their own. Our youngest, Romney, is just finishing up her latest project with Sony Animation Studios and is scouting around for another gig. Lots of travel in our past and more in our future.” MARK REUTLINGER reports, “My first novel, ‘Made in China,’ was published in April of this year.” SUSIE SCURICH proclaims, “Enjoying my 46th year teaching in the SF Unified School District. Off to Croatia again to visit relatives in the Konavle Valley near Dubrovnik. In Croatia, your last name may help you find your ancestral home – my village is Scurici. This is like Ireland and probably other homelands, too. Croatian Lowellites, contact me at smscurich@aol.com if you need help finding your Croatian place of origin.” RICHARD TERRY jots, “Finally retired, looking forward to our 55-year reunion.” WESLEY TOM yells, “Just wanted to say hi to MARK R, DENNIS Y, DENNIS J, KEN U, HENRY D, IVAN V, JOSE V, TONY R, BILL H, PAUL R ’63 and BOB W ’63. Looking forward to our next reunion.”
1962
Spring & Fall
ANICIA GUARD NELSON notes, “My husband I went on a 15-day cruise to Hawaii last November to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary.” ROZELL PREDDY OVERMIRE reflects, “Fifty years since we graduated, that is quite a milestone. Thanks to one and all for making last year’s reunion a success at the ‘Old’ Lowell!”
1963
Spring & Fall
DONNE MILLS DAVIS announces she “just celebrated the 9th anniversary of the GaGa Sisterhood, a social network for grandmas that I founded after the birth of my first grandchild. Membership continues to grow and provide a place for grandmas to talk about the joys and challenges they face. I also wrote a book called ‘When Being a Grandma isn’t so Grand: 4 Keys to L.O.V.E. your Grandchild’s Parents.’” CARMEN AZZOPARDI GAGE broadcasts, “Awaiting our first great-grandchild as we continue enjoying life traveling and spending our summers in our Wyoming mountain home. Looking forward to our 50th reunion, thanks to ALLAN GOLD ’63 and committee.” MARY MAURER OTTO praises, “I appreciate ALLAN GOLD’s planning of our wonderful reunions.” ALLAN GOLD announces, “The Classes of Fall 1962 and Spring 1963 will celebrate their 50th anniversary reunion at the Presidio Golf Club restaurant on August 31 and September 1. Contact Allan Gold (agold8946@aol.com) for more information or visit lowellalumni.givezooks.com to purchase tickets. Can’t wait to see everyone! I’m still busy working as a school psychologist in Tiburon — not ready to retire yet.” ARMAND LARA updates, “Retired from first career in 1996 after 25 years as an FBI Special Agent that included assignments in several U.S. field offices plus FBI headquarters and Director of FBI in Colombia, South America. From 1996 to present, I’ve been working kidnap matters in various Latin American countries.” GREG PARASKOU notes, “Finally retired after 39 years as a public defender, the last five as Chief Public Defender for Santa Barbara
County. We live in the beautiful wine country of Santa Ynez Valley. Looking forward to our big 5-0 next year.”
Keeping in Touch items received after April 15 will appear in the next issue of the newsletter.
1964
Spring & Fall
PHILLIP HANDIN mentions, “I am semiretired, working from my home office. After three decades of commuting from the Oakland hills to San Francisco, I am enjoying working at home very much. My son lives in Los Angeles L so my wife and I are down there every so often. All is well and I look forward to our 50th reunion.” HORTI JOHNSON DAVIS updates, “Retired from 30-plus years of hospice nursing. Loved it. Love retirement. Continue to delight in life in the Sierra foothills. So sad to read of the death of WOODY MCCLURE ’61, my early childhood friend. Loving condolences to all who loved him. Hugs to all and peace on Earth.” RICK LEVIN broadcasts, “After 20 years as President of Yale University, I am stepping down in June 2013. I am looking forward to a year’s leave while I contemplate my next career.” [Editor’s Note: Best wishes to President Levin, who has always been a true friend and supporter of Lowell High School and our fellow alumni, some of whom have studied at Yale during his tenure.] VIVIAN SINICK IMPERIALE dispatches, “Just retired in February — ahh! Looking forward to our 50th reunion in 2014. Trite phrase, but fitting — it seems like yesterday that we were at Lowell.” CHERYL WILLIS ROE confides, “Diagnosed with cancer in the summer; surgery successful, chemo not so much! Feeling great now and having great visits with relatives who have dropped by. Looking forward to a sparkling 2013. Tme to think about paying it forward – three cheers for all the staff at Kaiser hospital and clinics in SF!” CHRISTINE BERNSTEIN RODRIGUEZ shares, “My granddaughter, Aulani, just celebrated her 6th birthday and is a kindergartener at Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary in San Francisco, where her parents attended.” MARC CHRISTENSEN announces, “The Fall 1963 & Spring 1964 Reunion Committee has begun planning our 50-year reunion, tentatively scheduled for the Fall of 2014, with more information coming in the next issue of the newsletter. Please update your contact information (especially e-mail address and phone number) with the Lowell Alumni Association, so we can contact you. We’re looking forward to seeing all our classmates at the reunion.” COLLIN CHU reports, “Happily retired for six years. Still sailing, playing tennis and golf. Enjoy spoiling my four grandchildren rotten. Living in Redondo Beach and San Francisco when we’re not traveling. Looking forward to seeing everyone at our 50th.” DIANA HOFFMAN K AZUBOWSKI updates, “Creo Mundi International, Inc., where I am President, was the first company Nevada Governor Sandoval selected for a trade mission to Israel later this year and we are launching our new protein ready to drink beverage in food service to major companies and USF in April. Business is good and family is great, grandchildren are growing up so fast. John and I celebrated our 30th anniversary last September. Best wishes to all and Lowell still rocks!”
continued from page 13
GLORIA GONZALES GRACE shares, “We have big plans for 2013. In March, we are flying down to Santiago, Chile to board a cruise ship. We’re thinking of a side trip to Machu Picchu. We are planning a couple more destinations – retirement is great!” PAMELA OTT MAZUR relays, “I’m still teaching at Anne Arundel Community College (Maryland), where we have introduced some innovative classes for our developmental math students and I am enjoying working with these classes. I’m also enjoying my grandson and granddaughter. Life is good!” SUSAN WISE DEETS corresponds, “Richard and I are very happy living in Dublin. We are involved with the Livermore Valley Opera and the city of Dublin. Our granddaughter Kylie is almost four and she gives us a lot of pleasure.” CAROLE BABOW FLORIAN informs, “David and I continue to thrive on our activities here in Ashland, OR – they offer us all we could have hoped for in our retirement or, as a good friend calls it, ‘the dessert of life.’ We couldn’t agree more. Looking forward to our 50-year reunion in 2014 and hope to be able to zip down to SF in April for the 50th anniversary of the ‘new’ Lowell – it seems like yesterday!” GARITH GARIBALDI recounts, “I am now onto my fourth career change and second retirement from retirement. Graduated from college in 1969 and after some fitful starts and stops became a fireman for the city of Burlingame. Left to pursue a career in the air industry, trying my hand in operations and then sales (which was a much better fit), ending up as VP of Sales for WTC Air and then BAX Global, retiring in 2008. A few months later, I scored a job as Director of Indy Car Development for DB Schenker, responsible for the transport of Indy Car events throughout their race circuit. Retired once again in 2012 to be lured back as Director of Retail Sales for MIQ Logistics, where I am finding joy with some longtime industry friends.”
SUSAN RENNA GRIJALVA — see FRANCISCO GRIJALVA ’65 ISABEL MACWHIRTER WADE reveals, “Launched ‘Just One Tree’ campaign to plan 12,000 lemon trees and have SF create a global model of self-sufficiency in a tree crop. Visit www.justonetree.org — plant or register your tree!” MARGO LEVY VIGNOLA reports, “Retired for five years from Wall Street. Doing lots of great things. Son 35, daughter 32. Still a San Franciscan after 30 years in New York.” DONALD IGLESIAS messages, “Retired, after 39 years in education. Last position was Superintendent of San Jose Unified School District. Living ‘La Vida’ by traveling, surfing and enjoying life. Cheers to all.”
1967
Spring & Fall
CLAUDIA WOLF ESHOO updates, “The following information never made it into our 1967 yearbook and I would like to correct the omission. 1965-1967 Registry Secretary for 3 years; Forensics; Junior Prom Committee; Honor Roll; Big Sisters; Shield & L; Secretary H12 Class; Senior Prom Committee; High Senior Council; Dog Walker. (Now I feel better.) 1967-2012 Cal Poly SLO; Home Economics teacher and substitute, SFUSD; married to Bob for 38 years and counting with 1 daughter, Erica (35 years old), 1 Schnoodle, Lulu (3 years old), 1 new hip, other one on order; Owner and operator of a home-based hot stamping company for 30 years; Simcha Coordinator at temple for 3 years, retired. My current hobbies include reunion, genealogy, Lowell Alumni Association Board of Directors, swimming, family, Words with Friends, archivist assistant at Lowell High School, keeping busy and loving it. P.S. Gillis is no longer living”
GWENLYN GIFFING GIBSON exclaims, “Continuing to thoroughly enjoy retirement! Love spending time with the grandkids (ages 8 and 6), being a docent at the Asian Art Museum in SF, gardening, traveling, etc. Looking forward to seeing everyone at our 50-year Reuion next year! If you would like to join the reunion committee or contribute your ideas or assistance, please send me an e-mail at gwenandkirk@ comcast.net.”
SUSAN DITO KUCHAREK enthuses, “Really enjoyed seeing reunion pictures of classmates in the Fall 2012 newsletter. Looks like it was a good time! We’ve been living in Roseville, CA since 1985, both my husband and I working in education. Celebrated the birth of our first grandchild in February 2012. We have two sons, the older in grad school at the University of Nevada at Reno and the younger living nearby in Sacramento. Greetings class of Spring ’67!”
1965
1968
Spring & Fall
ALAN MENDELSON reports, “I continue to practice law – primarily representing life science companies. I am in my second year as a UC Regent and have joined the Board of Trustees of the Scripps Research Institute. Agnes and I are enjoying our grandchildren, Ella and Ethan. Each has a sibling on the way.” FRANCISCO GRIJALVA has returned to San Francisco, along with wife SUSAN RENNA GRIJALVA ’66, after a teaching and administrative career spanning 42 years.
Spring & Fall
ANDRE HASSID jots, “Still enjoy practicing law. I’m doing more work as a mediator, which I enjoy immensely.” FRED HINNERS mentions, “As far as a national reputation, until recently most people seemed to think UNR stood for ‘Usually Not Recognized.’ But now that Colin Kaepernick is leading the Niners, my alma mater, Nevada, is getting its due. Kap and the Niners are even running some of the same plays from his Wolf Pack days — how cool is that?”
GARY THOMPSON writes (in beautiful architect’s printing), “Just turned 65. Not ready to retire. Still designing ships, and the occasional ‘boat.’ For the most part, still having fun, except for ‘schedule and budget — budget and schedule.’ Some things never change.”
KATHY MCCANDLESS BYBOKAS greets, “It was good to see so many of you at the reunion — don’t we look great? Sue hope many more of you can join us at the 50th. Many thanks to a great reunion committee. I’m still loving retired life in Santa Barbara and traveling as much as we can.”
1966
DAVID CHERNEY updates, “Nancy and I had fun in Italy last year with good buddy ROBERTA COHEN HOLDEN ’70 and her husband. ROB ARRICK F’67 and I play golf weekly – he looks the same as he did in ’68 and usually beats me – and his Park Animal Hospital on 9th Avenue is still the best. Daughter Liza, with a Masters in Gerontology and an MBA, returns from Boston to work in the City this year. Shortened my bucket list in ’12 by playing golf as Augusta National, home of the Masters.
Spring & Fall
KEN BLAKE shares, “After 38 years of ministry in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, I am retiring to the mountains of North Carolina with my wife of 44 years. Hope to see many classmates at the 50th.” CATHERINE CICERONE FAWCETT “hiked in Patagonia last year, awesome place. Go see it!”
Spring 2013 u Lowell Alumni Association u Page 15
Keeping In Touch… Contact me at dcdaveman@comcast.net.”
1973
SHELBORNE FUNG posts, “Almost to 8 bells, as in ‘Eight bells and all is well.’”
PAUL JENSEN notes, “I have been living happily in Marin county for 32 years, enjoying working in local government as the Community Development Director for the City of San Rafael. I always look forward to receiving the newsletter – great high school memories.”
1969
Spring & Fall
GARY MASON updates, “Taking a break from teaching – living in the Redwoods in Mendocino. I’m at gmason3751@gmail.com.” KATE HASKIN BROSTOFF urges, “Continue funding for first year Latin!” [Editor’s Note: Thanks to generous alumni donations, we were able to preserve first year Latin for the 2012-13 year, but need more help to maintain the program going forward.] LINDA POWELL-MCMILLAN wires, “Greg and I are still raising grass-fed beef and extra virgin olive oil on the Flying M Ranch of central California.”
1970
Spring & Fall
PHILIP MATTHEWS is “still busy with the practice of law. Oldest daughter getting married in 2013.” JOY CHANG mentions, “Enjoying retirement in Seattle. Very grateful for all of life’s blessings.” ROBERT FRIED is “headed for my next oral argument at the California Supreme Court in 2013. Partner at Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo in our Pleasanton office.” NANCY LIM-YEE proclaims, “Greetings to Class of 1970 classmates! Hope all is well. Looking forward to retirement in less than two years. Best wishes for peace and good health!
1971
Spring & Fall
TOM POSEY greets, “Hi to all! Those were the days, my friend!!” HELEN YEE shares, “My proudest achievement is raising my daughter, who will be graduating from Lowell in the Class of 2013.”
1972
Spring & Fall
VERA SAFRONOFF GINOTTI enthuses, “Finally an empty-nester – celebrating my 33rd year as a Kaiser San Francisco R.N.” LAWRENCE FAN, Sports Information Director at San Jose State since 1980, will be the 2013 recipient of the College Sports Information Directors of America’s (CoSIDA) Trailblazer award next month in Orlando, Florida. The Trailblazer Award is presented annually to an individual who is a pioneer in the field of sports information and who has mentored and helped improve the level of ethnic and gender diversity within CoSIDA. JOHN KNOX remarks, “It was great to see so many wonderful friends at our 40th reunion and I especially enjoyed seeing SARA TRELAUN, French teacher par excellence!” ANGELA CHAN recounts, “Graduated from UCSF in 1977 with a B.S. in Nursing, then worked there for nine years until moving to Washington, D.C., with my husband as he attended medical school at George Washington University. Once he finished med school, we moved to Denver for his internship, residency and fellowship in gastroenterology. Our older daughter is a junior at Tulane University in New Orleans and interested in grad school in public health. Our younger daughter is a freshman at Washington University in St. Louis. I’m the office manager for my husband’s private practice in gastroenterology. No retirement plans yet as we still need to put two future doctors through undergrad and grad school!”
Spring & Fall
DAVID LIEU types, “I run one of the busiest pathologist-performed ultrasound-guided FNA (fine needle aspiration) clinics in the country. Cytopathology fellows and faculty from UCLA, USC, UCSD and UCI come to my clinic regularly to learn my techniques. I publish my work in the scientific literature and have been an invited lecturer at medical conferences throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. This last year has been good. I sponsored 50 mostly low-income high school show choir students and their adult chaperones on a five-day tour to New York City in March 2012, where they performed in a competition and enjoyed seeing the sights of the Big Apple. The David and Diana Lieu Seminar Room at Hillebrand College (College of Chemistry) at UC Berkeley was dedicated in June 2012. My daughter, Debbie, will graduate from UC Berkeley this month with a major in integrative biology and minors in Spanish and Cal Teach. She is working on a teaching credential and wants to be a high school biology teacher at Lowell. Her grades are good enough to get into medical school if she changes her mind (blood is OK but she doesn’t like surgery). Son Darren is a freshman at UC Irvine, double majoring in mathematics and economics with a minor in computer science. He is considering going to UC Berkeley for a masters degree in financial engineering. My wife Diana (a pharmacist) just finished a course in differential equations and now know more math than I do. She wants me to semi-retire so we can spend more time together. Of all the things I do, the single event I most look forward to every year is returning to Lowell to deliver a multimedia lecture to each section or AP Biology on medical school admission requirements, what it was like to grow up in the ’60s and ’70s and what being a (nerdy) teenager back then meant to me.”
1974 MIRTA ARSENIAN CALI enthuses, “Now living in Redwood City and loving it. Randy is still with Oracle and I’m still having fun helping friends and customers fulfill their ‘jewelry wishes.’ Happy 2013 to all my Lowell friends.” JANET CHANG-PRYOR announces, “I’m still in the Bay Area working for Cisco Systems doing international business development. Looking forward to seeing everyone at our next reunion.” JOHN CRITTENDEN chronicles, “Nearing 30 years at Cooley LLP in San Francisco, where I’m a trademark and copyright lawyer. Son Joe graduates soon from UCLA and daughter Katy will pursue a teaching credential at a CSU campus. Looking forward to planning our 40-year reunion!” DAVID FELLOWS recounts, “Our various businesses here in Colorado are keeping us busy, which is good these days. Our daughter Lauren in heading off in March to Japan for a junior semester study abroad program from the University of Puget Sound. Son Ethan is applying to colleges and I’ve been teaching ‘Financial Management of Nonprofit Organizations’ graduate class at Regis University in Denver, which has been more work and fun than I expected! I see SCOTT WOOD ’74 a fair amount since he moved to Colorado and I had dinner with KELLY CLINE ’73 in LA a couple of months ago, when we renewed our Hearts rivalry from the courtyard tables.” JEFFREY SHAPIRO shorthands, “In Atlanta, with kids in Charlotte, New York and New Orleans.” SUSAN ADAMS relates, “Had a great run for Congress. Didn’t make it, but the journey was great. Now focusing on the next election for a fourth term as a Marin County Supervisor! Looking forward to our 40-year reunion.”
1975 MARK MANBER reports, “I have a small tax preparation business in South San Francisco, located across from City Hall. Regards to all.” CARLTON HUGH OLER announces, “I just published a book entitled ‘Coping with Stress for Academic Success: 24 Strategies to Get the Most Out of Your Educational Experience.’ It’s designed for university-bound students and is available through Amazon. I still miss my Lowell experience after 38 years.” [Editor’s Note: Sounds like this should be required reading for today’s Lowell students.] MARC WEBBER — see BARBARA FREEMAN WEBBER ’49 JUDI LEFF crows, “Happily ensconced in our empty nest in the Sunset, still writing parody songs and comedy sketches while taking care of Temple Emanu-El.”
JULIET ESPERANZA SOUSA updates, “Had two additions to our family last year – foster daughter and son – so that makes three teenagers my husband and I are raising in South San Francisco, one 17 year-old and two 18 year-olds. Life is good.” BENJAMIN LEUNG tells, “My son did not make it to Lowell – graduated from Balboa and is now a sophomore at UC Riverside. Luckily, my daughter made it to Lowell and is currently a freshman. The legacy lives on . . .”
1980 DAN FINK – see DAVID FINK ’78
1981 TED HOLMAN announces, “Congrats to DAN MAGES ’81 and his bride, Terri. Cheers!”
MARK MARKEL discloses, “I’ve been at the University of Wisconsin-Madison the past 22 years and was fortunate to have been named the Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine this past year, so it’s likely I will be here for a while longer.”
1982
1976
MAURA SULLIVAN remarks, “Great seeing folks at the reunion. Living in the East Bay with spouse Mary. Working as a non-profit technology consultant.”
MIRIAM DUCOFF SMOLEN shares, “I’ve recently become a partner with the law firm of Gilbert LLC in Washington, DC, specializing in commercial litigation and insurance recovery on behalf of policyholders. I continue to live in Northern Virginia with husband Jerry and our two sons. Our older son is a senior in high school and heading for Vanderbilt University next year. I took my kids to see Lowell when we visited last year – it was fun to see the old and new buildings.” SARAH RUBENSTEIN THOMAS reports, “26 years practicing law with ROB THOMAS ’79. Dad WILLIAM RUBENSTEIN ’36, brother DAVID RUBENSTEIN ’78 and, hopefully, niece RACHEL RUBENSTEIN ’17? JOHN TRASVIÑA, currently serving in the Obama administration as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Fair Housing, has just been named the new Dean of the Law School at the University of San Francisco. CALVIN LUM says, “Great seeing some of you at our 35-year reunion in November 2011. Yup, still plugging away with my ‘San Francisco Veterinary Housecalls’ practice – www. sfvethousecalls.com. Woof woof meow meow meow!”
1977 KITTY NG writes, “Still living in Washington state. Program manager for an e-discovery SAS company. I miss all my family and friends in San Francisco.”
1978 ROY ABENDROTH posts, “Working hard at Cal Pacific Medical Center. Playing trumpet in and directing the Class Act Big Band. Check us out at www.cabigband.com.” DAVID FINK updates, “Celebrating a new family member – my brother DAN FINK ’80 has a new son, Rowan, born December 14, 2012.” MARK LIEU announces, “Currently Dean of Language and Communication at Ohlone College in Fremont.” DAVID RUBENSTEIN – see SARAH RUBENSTEIN THOMAS ’76
ANNIE MIU HAYWARD writes, “Sorry to have missed our 30-year reunion. Looking for folks interested in planning the 35th. Loving life as an independent consultant.”
STEVEN LI remarks, “Just began my 30th year of employment with the San Francisco Superior Court. Best wishes to fellow Lowellites for prosperity, good fortune and good health.” KEVIN BARRY messages, “Greetings from the East Coast! I enjoyed reading about our 30th reunion activities and seeing photos from the event. Sorry I couldn’t make it to San Francisco to join in the celebration. My family and I are pretty well settled in the D.C. area. My son is in college at Carnegie Mellon University and daughters are in middle school here. Hope all my classmates and friends are well.”
1983 ELISE FONG WING remarks, “Almost 30 years since we graduated…the time has flown! I’m in my 24th year of federal service at the US Department of Health & Human Services, just celebrated my 16th wedding anniversary and am enjoying my kids — Natalie (age 13) and Joshua (age 9). Life is good! Say hello at eandjwing@ yahoo.com. ROBERT CORNELL explains, “I am still a zebrafish embryologist at the University of Iowa. My daughter is a freshman in high school — yikes! I saw CHARLIE HULTGREN ’83 and KATIE POWER HULTGREN ’83 recently — their kids are cute!” MONIQUE SKRUZNY reports, “Very proud of the Lowell Forensics team. Great communication skills will serve you for life. Living in Brooklyn, NY. Founded an investor communications advisory firm, MBS Value, and just opened an office in Sao Paulo, Brazil.” JESSICA AMBINDER ROJAS – see JERRY AMBINDER ’50
1985 VINCENT KING praises, “Congrats on the National Blue Ribbon Award! I’m making a larger contribution this year in memory of NANCY HAYES, my reg teacher — she was a terrific lady.”
continued on page 16
Page 16 u Lowell Alumni Association u Spring 2013
Keeping In Touch… 1986
1989
ERIC FASTIFF dispatches, “I am the Chair of the Antitrust, Intellectual Property and Commercial Litigation practice group at my law firm, Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein. My wife Rebecca and I have two children — Eli (age 8) and Tessa (6).”
ERIC KRESS and wife CAROLINE KIM KRESS ’88 shout, “Hooray for Lowell’s new face lift! We love the new paint job.”
HANSEN LIEU — see WENDY LO ’90
1987 ELIZABETH HUEY-LEVINE notes, “My husband and I celebrated nine years of marriage this past September and life is only getting better and better. I love keeping in touch with fellow Lowellites via Facebook and the newsletter — a terrific bunch of people! Still living in the Atlanta area and working for Delta Airlines.”
1988 CAROLINE KIM KRESS — see ERIC KRESS ’89. GEORGENE KROMYDAS POULAKIDAS imparts, “We are living in San Diego. Our two sons, Milton and Sakee, keep us busy and bring us lots of joy. I hope we have a 25-year reunion!” FRANK MYUNG LEE notes, “Living in Palo Alto with my wife Amy and our three boys (Theo, Alden and Micah). I work alongside many Lowell alums at Kaiser Redwood City. Hope everyone is doing well — my e-mail is frankiesang2003@yahoo.com.” JEANIENE TALLEY updates, “Still in Las Vegas practicing family medicine. EJ and Jasmine are 10 and 7 — can’t believe I’ll have a middle schooler. Hope everyone is healthy and doing well. Can’t wait for the next reunion!!”
LEE CHENG updates, “Still at Newegg.com where duties have expanded but pay remains the same J. Kiddos are now 5 and 7, being well-cared for by a wonderful pediatrician — classmate THERESA CHOW LEE. 2013 should be a year of change and great promise.” ALLISON FOX MAZZOLA notes, “Living in the Bay Area. Raising two beautiful children and teaching math, pre-K to 8th grade.” JONATHAN HEUSER relates, “Nicola and I have just returned to the U.S. after two or so years in Singapore. We’re living in New York City, where I work for J.P. Morgan while Nicola teaches at Princeton University. I was lucky enough to celebrate my 40th birthday in Bali with family as well as with Lowell pal NATASHA MIHAL ’89, who was in the midst of a Southeast Asian adventure of her own.”
1990 WENDY LO and husband HANSEN LIEU ’87 report, “A big ‘hello’ to our Lowell friends. We are working hard to keep up with our preteen son (age 11) and our seven year-old firstgrader. Three more years and our son will be going to high school, but most likely will not be at Lowell (since we don’t live in SF). Hope everyone is doing well!”
1991 YORAM BAUMAN updates, “Living in Seattle and now a full-time ‘stand-up economist’ (www. standupeconomist.com). I’ve published two cartoon economics books and am working on a cartoon book on climate change, due out in 2014.” KATE CUTLER conveys, “I’m still in SF with my husband Ethan and two boys (ages 4 and 6
Varsity Baseball Team Tops Alumni Squad
continued from page 15
months). I left the world of law firms to join a start-up — please check it out at www.mybkr. com. Hope everyone is doing well!” PAUL CHU helped to organize more than 20 fellow dental professionals to help clean up the home of a colleague that was flooded by Hurricane Sandy on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York. “His basement was destroyed, but he was lucky,” Dr. Chu said. “The two houses next to him had been burned down and were no longer there.”
1995 MELINDA CHAN NGUYEN shares “I have very fond memories of Lowell — thanks for being part of those memories. Best of luck for the new year! And if you’d like to lead the effort or be part of the planning committee for our 20-year reunion in 2015, please e-mail me at melindahouse@yahoo.com with ‘Reunion’ in the subject line.” ANDREW GREEN shares, “Last July, I got married to Washington state native and fellow Harvard and JSA alum Emily Gee. The ceremony was held in Washington, D.C. and Lowellites ERICA TURNER ’95, STEPHEN DODSON ’95, WILL WALRAVEN ’95, GWENIE ROGERS FLICKINGER ’96, JACOB ROGERS ’00, SEBASTIAN PARKER ’00 and VIRGINIA STERN attended. Any and all coming through Washington, D.C. should drop us a note.”
1999 AUDREY JEUNG posts, “After spending time in LA, Chicago and NYC, I’m finally moving back to the Bay Area. Looking forward to the return of foggy days and lots of fresh Dungeness crab.”
2003
into the bar by Judge CHARLES BREYER ’59. Now I am currently living in San Francisco, working as an attorney for the greatest city in the world (as a Deputy City Attorney). I’m active in the community, spending time as a neighborhood activist and serving on the board of the Friends of Camp Mather. 2012 was a great year — went to a couple of weddings of dear Lowell friends, traveled up and down California and ventured east on a few trips. One of the highlights was watching Game 2 of the World Series with my brother GASTON ’07, which turned out to be the last game of the season at AT&T Park. All in all, I am content.” SHELLEY GUYTON of UC San Diego has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Scholarship to the Philippines in Anthropology. She is one of over 1,700 U.S. citizens who will travel abroad for the 2012-13 academic year through the Fulbright Program.
2005 JEFFREY KWONG has just been named the new Principal at St. Mary’s School, a Catholic K-8 institution founded in 1921 and located in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Jeffrey is also a St. Mary’s alumnus. LAUREN LONGLEY proudly states, “Completing my doctorate in veterinary medicine from Ross University and University of Florida, graduating from Avery Fischer Hall in June 2013.”
Faculty THELMA SCHILLER recalls, “I met the late LEAH BOEHM ’27 in the Lowell gym when I was hired as a gym teacher in the late 1940s for one school year. She was my mentor and good friend forever. We exchanged dance workshops after I left Lowell to teach at Hillsdale High in San Mateo.”
GUS GUIBERT recounts, “I graduated from Cal, then from USF Law School, and was sworn
15 Alumni Serve on Lowell Faculty
Lowell’s current varsity baseball team (with the help of some frosh/soph players) managed a 6-5 walk-off win against the alumni in April at West Sunset Park. Over 25 former Lowell baseball players came out to play, making it the biggest turnout of alums that we’ve ever had. The former players’ graduation dates spanned four decades, with players from 1980 to 2012 participating! For anyone wishing to come out and join us in the future, our annual alumni game is always held the last Saturday of April, 3pm at West Sunset Park. For more information, please contact coach John Donohue at (415) 310-1251 or jdonohue@ netzero.net or Romeo Aurelio at (415) 601-1921 or rome2323@gmail.com.
Top row (from left): Emil DeAndreis ’04 (assistant coach), Herb Wartens ’97, Tomas Sanchez ’07, Olivier Ngo ’00, Dan Nemiroff ’05, Brandon Scale ’99, Max Schumm ’08, Marc Chase ’99, Elan LaVie ’07, Danai Leininger ’04, Joe Bien-Kahn ’07 (assistant coach) and John Donohue (coach, 31st season). Bottom row: Isaac Jones ’99, Nick Tam ’12 (frosh/soph assistant coach), Roger Seto ’97, Victor Nguyen ’02, Romeo Aurelio ’92 (assistant coach), Mike Lazarus ’08, Carter Rockwell ’07, Justin Huey ’99, Gaston Guibert ’08, Fritz Huizenga ’97 and Dan Harrington ’85. Not pictured: Tim Harrington ’80, Jack Dyogi ’87, Daryl Semien ’87, John Steinmetz ’00 and Chris Mullaney ’05.
Lowell alumni currently serving as faculty members at Lowell posed recently for this photo. Thanks to all for their service to today’s students! Front row (from left): Jonathan Fong ’95 (Science), Alice Kwong-Ballard ’80 (Social Studies department head) and Steve Shimmon ’81 (Social Studies). Middle row: Samantha Yu ’04 (English), Brian Danforth ’84 (World Languages), Mike Ambrose ’88 (Math), Christine Hosoda ’94 (PE) and Milt Axt F’54 (PE). Back row: Ivan Yee ’76 (Counseling), Tony Lee ’69 (Counseling), Tony Mana ’65 (Math), Lisa Hong ’97 (Math) and Claire Puretz ’00 (English and Social Studies). Missing: Kim Dinkelspiel Johnson ’73 (Science) and Sam Williams ’99 (World Languages).
Spring 2013 u Lowell Alumni Association u Page 17
In Memoriam 1929 VALDA NORTON SCHAEFFER, a church and community volunteer as well as a San Francisco public school teacher, died in Mill Valley on December 12, 2012 at the age of 101.
1930 KATHLEEN “KAY” SLATTERY HIATT, beloved wife of the late Wilbur Hiatt, passed away peacefully January 31, 2013 at the age of 100.
1934 LUCILLE BERTELSEN BAKER died on February 4, 2012. HELEN COHEN PALMER died in December 2011 at the age of 94. Helen thoroughly enjoyed attending the Lowell Alumni Association’s Southern California luncheon in August 2011. LAURA FINO KAIN died January 29, 2013. WILLIAM SCHOENFELD has passed away.
1935 GEORGIA HELLER BELLAMY, who was instrumental in planning her Lowell class reunions, passed away on February 2, 2012. Her family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Lowell Alumni Association. ADELANE JOSEPH HOROWITZ, a third generation San Francisco, passed away on December 30, 2012. In the late 1970s, Adelane managed the Expectation Shop in Strawberry Village. She later took over management of Mother-To-Be in Northgate. When her husband Don passed away in 1981, she took over his business as a manufacturers’ representative selling maternity apparel. She volunteered for many years at Petaluma Valley Hospital and for Sacks Hospice Gift Shop in Petaluma, the thrift shop benefiting Hospice by the Bay. Survivors include children Joan Horowitz Lisetor F’56 and Alan Horowitz F’63.
1936 DOROTHEA FALTIN SCHULTZ, who enjoyed her cheerleading days at Lowell, passed away in 2012. HARVEY MARVIN MASONEK, successful businessman and life-long supporter of Lowell High School, passed away on April 24, 2013. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Harvey served during WWII in the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer attached to the British Army serving under the command of Lord Louis Mountbatten in Delhi, India. Harvey started his own export company in 1958 with his late partner Francis Cappel. M-C International became one of the largest independent trading companies in the U.S. with offices in the Pacific Rim and Asia. 27 years ago, Harvey married Eve Heyman whose late husband Sam was a good friend of both Harvey and his first wife Bette. Harvey was a man of deep wisdom, quick wit, deep love for Eve and the family, and boundless patience. If your quest is to find a person, a single person in this world, who speaks of Harvey with other than love and respect, you will search forever. Everyone who crossed his path, be they his employees or Pi Lambda Phi fraternity brothers, came away enriched by the experience. Harvey had no former friends, only current ones. He worked hard to foster and nurture relationships. His grandchildren, and recently his great grandson, rarely went very long without talking to their Poppie. No friend of Harvey felt forgotten or ignored. If you were in Harvey’s world you felt included and important. Harvey supported numerous causes and organizations. His main interests were education, such as the Masonek International Symposium, the World Affairs Council and United Religions in their effort to stop religious
wars. Thanks to Harvey’s generosity, the Harvey Masonek Scholarship assists graduating seniors with their college expenses. ROBERT CHRISTOPHER CREIGHTON died January 16, 2012 in Beavercreek, Ohio at the age of 91. After earning his undergraduate degree in political science from UC Berkeley and graduate degrees in business and political science from the University of Southern California, Robert saw service in WWII in the U.S Navy. He then embarked on a long career with the city of Long Beach, retiring as Assistant City Manager. He is survived by Patricia, his loving wife of 64 years, along with two daughters and four grandchildren.
1937 MELVILLE “MEL” HARVEY died March 1, 2013, survived by his wife Florence. GEORGE JEONG, long-time public servant and successful businessman, died on April 3, 2012. Born in Guangdong Province, China, he came to the United States at age 7 with his father. A member of the Lowell track team, George later graduated from UC Berkeley and, after service in the U.S. Army, began what became a 35-year career with the SF Department of Public Works in 1947. Beginning as a draftsman, he rose through the ranks, first as a Civil Engineer, then a licensed Civil Engineer, Senior Civil Engineer, Deputy Director of Building Inspection and finally as Principal Engineer. Following his retirement from DPW, George started his own consulting business with a focus on city-sponsored construction projects. Through his own natural talents and the encouragement of others, he succeeded in life thanks to his patience, dignity and tolerance, never expecting acclaim or material gain. Survivors include his wife Audrey and children Gordon ’73, Gerald ’76 and Angela. ELEANOR MCGAHIE died January 29, 2013. Survivors include her sister, Barbara McGahie Sawyer ’43. DOROTHY MENSCH PEELER died in 2011 at the age of 89.
1938 RUTH BRENNER LIPMAN passed away peacefully at Zen Hospice at the age of 91 on October 3, 2012. Ruth so enjoyed traveling, fine food, entertaining her many friends, mahjong and her grandson. PATRICIA HARVEY VAN TONNINGEN passed away January 11, 2012, in San Jose. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Jack van Tonningen, in 2001. Pat attended UC Berkeley, where she was active in Alpha Chi Omega. While raising three children in Bakersfield, she was a community volunteer with Junior League, Cub and Girl Scouts, school libraries and her church. In San Jose, Pat was active in her church and living community. She is survived by three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. JEAN SMITH passed away on September 4, 2012.
1939 MARJORIE WEBER BURKE passed away on September 24, 2012 at age 89 in Belmont, California. ROSEMARY WHERRY MCENTEE died in 2010. PHYLLIS WHITE MINER died in April 2012.
1940 MARJORIE BOWMAN FRY, who was predeceased by her husband Carl Fry ’40, died January 10, 2013.
ANNE BRUNTON WEETER died October 20, 2012. RUTH MORSE passed away in San Francisco on April 15, 2013 at the age of 89. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, from which she also received a Master of Public Health degree and studied at Berkeley’s Boalt Hall Law School. Ms. Morse’s professional life spanned 39 years in which she was an admired professional organizer and fundraiser for voluntary and non-profit agencies on the local, state, and national levels in Oakland, San Jose, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Some of the agencies for which she worked include The Mental Health Association, The American Cancer Society, and the American Red Cross National Headquarters. After the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, she was persuaded to come out of retirement in order to assist the American Red Cross Bay Area in emergency fundraising. Since 1998, Ms. Morse resided at The Sequoias in San Francisco where she remained instrumental in support of the programs and services that enhanced the lives of all the residents. FREDERICK FELLOWS WARNKE passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in the presence of his family on January 30, 2013 after suffering a stroke two days earlier. After serving with the Army Corps of Engineers in the South Pacific during WWII, Fred earned bachelors and masters degrees in Landscape Architecture from UC Berkeley. He served 30 years with the Office of Architects and Engineers at UC Berkeley, retiring as Manager of Grounds Services in the 1980s. In retirement, he and his wife Margaret were fortunate to travel with memorable trips to Alaska, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Fred was an avid reader and animal lover, and the greatest joys were his family and friends and the beautiful gardens he designed and tended for many years. He is survived by his wife Margaret, two daughters and three grandchildren.
in the U.S. Army Air Corps under General Joseph Stillwell in China Burma India (CBI), he attended Golden Gate College and co-founded Ad-Art Sign Company of Stockton. Along with partners John and Lou Papais, he transformed the company into a dominant industry leader and installed many notable landmark projects throughout the United States, including some of the most exciting designs in industry history in Las Vegas and elsewhere. Dan was known to his family for being a consummate gentleman, for his great sense of humor, and his kind way, while always keeping in mind he was Irish. Dan was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Albina Rossi O’Leary. He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Beverly Ann, as well as five children and 14 grandchildren.
1942 PATRICK SIMMONS, born in San Francisco on St. Patrick’s Day in 1924, passed away peacefully December 27, 2012. A WWII veteran and retired San Francisco Police Department Lieutenant, he was an honorable man, a fine policeman, loyal husband, loving father, dedicated grandfather and “one hell of a friend.” Pat loved his family, his loyal dog “Shadow,” summers at the Russian River, attending the Sonoma County Fair for the annual horse races, playing golf, and a little J & B. He loved to tell stories and had an outstanding sense of humor. Pat was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Pauline “Dolly” Simmons.
1943 EDWARD BENNETT died September 25, 2012. His twin brother William ’43 also passed away in 2012. WILLIAM BENNETT died July 21, 2012. His twin brother Edward ’43 also passed away in 2012.
1941
ROBERT MIELKE died December 17, 2012.
JUNE EIJIMA died December 7, 2012.
JOYCE NORWALL CHESNUT died March 20, 2013.
DONALD GRANNIS passed away on April 26, 2013. Survivors include his brother Frank Grannis ’42. VERA KREEKIS JAMES died July 9, 2012, at her home in Woodside surrounded by her family, after a long struggle recovering from a fall. She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Microbiology and met her future husband Dr. Harry E. Bryan while working on post-graduate studies in discovering a plague vaccine at the University of California in San Francisco. After their marriage, she aided her husband with his studies and earned an additional doctorate of education from Stanford. Shortly after the birth of their first daughter, they went on a mission to create a Public Health Service in Thailand. There, her second daughter was born with only the assistance of her husband in the midst of gunfire of an attempted coup d’etat in Chonburi. After returning to the states, Harry began his role as Director of Student Health at Washington State University, where they completed their family with two additional sons. Although she continued to keep up her credentials in microbiology, she expanded her interests, joining, and eventually leading as president of the American Association of University Women. In 1961, the family moved back to their beloved California where Harry established a private practice in Psychiatry, and taught at Stanford University. Vera became president of the California League of Women Voters, and president of the Woodside Hills Garden Club, while also serving on Woodside’s Planning Commission. ELSIE LANDRY died March 23, 2012. GENGO GEORGE MIYAHARA died in January 2013. DANIEL GREGORY O’LEARY, who attended Lowell in the 1940s but left early to join the war effort and was later awarded an honorary Lowell diploma in 2003 at age 80, passed away at home on December 11, 2012. After service
ALAN ORR, a great Lowellite and long-time class reunion organizer, died January 31, 2013. His easygoing manner and positive spirit will be truly missed.
1944 SHARON DEMICK BRANDT has passed away. EVELYN FILICE STANTON died December 29, 2012. LORRAINE LEONG JEUNG died February 1, 2012. BARBARA MARCH SMITH died December 13, 2012. She and her husband Edgar enjoyed 64 wonderful years of marriage with three children and five grandchildren. SAMELE AUDREY MONCHARSH SAMUEL died March 22, 2013. WINIFRED MORGAN WOOD died July 7, 2011 in Mountain View, California. WILLARD RUSH passed away November 30, 2011.
1945 ANNE MARIE MCCAULEY LAVEZZO died November 28, 2012. WILLIAM MURRAY passed away on April 30, 2011. RUTH SCHWABACHER CECCHETTI died in Berkeley on February 24, 2013. A graduate of UC Berkeley, she was a passionate educator who taught English as a second language for nearly 50 years. She devoted much of her
continued on page 18
Page 18 u Lowell Alumni Association u Spring 2013
In Memoriam continued from page 17 career to helping young people become global citizens focusing her time and effort on the Congress-Bundestag exchange program aimed at providing high school students experience in American and German culture and language. She was proud to receive an award from the German government for her work. Ruth was active in many groups, discussing books, writing her stories, and enjoying speaking German and Italian. Along the way, she embraced her adopted Italian culture, its people and history and her family there. She found people and their stories fascinating, having lengthy conversations with both new acquaintances and old friends of all ages all over the world. She was generous with her time and energy; and always had a smile for family and friends. Ruth was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Giovanni Cecchetti.
1946 BETTY ANN AMOS MULHOLLAND died October 15, 2012. JOAN MARIE ISAACS SWENDSEN died November 8, 2012.
1947 PAUL MAIER passed away in 2012. After fleeing Germany with his family in 1936, Paul graduated from UC Berkeley and then Boalt Hall Law School before serving in the military as the legal advocate for the postwar military intelligence unit. He was actively involved in the civil rights movement, traveling to Selma, Alabama, to register African-American voters and later moving his young family to Berkeley to participate in the country’s first voluntary school integration program. A long-time trial lawyer in San Francisco, Paul attained the first conscientious objector status for an enlisted man at the start of the Vietnam War. He represented entertainment industry clients including the Doobie Brothers and George Lucas and established free agency status for local basketball star Rick Barry. Paul was deeply involved in Berkeley politics and participated very actively in the local Jewish community. Most of all, he savored the time spent with his family, sharing his love of the Sierras, gardening, music and life. He leaves behind a legacy of impeccable integrity, support and wit. We are each a little bit better and wiser for having had him in our lives. Paul is survived by his wife Lee, three children and seven grandchildren. WILLIAM MEDINA NEFF, oldest son of legendary Lowell basketball coach Ben Neff and Ruth Medina, died in February 2013. At Lowell, he was senior class President in 1947 and a member of the track and swim teams. He and his fellow swimmers were known as the “Blue Boys” for swimming in the frigid waters of Fleishhacker Pool. He continued his education at Stanford University, receiving a B.A. and Ph.D. in Biology. He then taught at Knox College in Illinois, Chico State University and retired from City College of San Francisco. He always loved the ocean and spent many happy hours free-diving for abalone. Family and friends enjoyed the feasts. He was one of the first SCUBA divers in the ’50s. He is survived by his wife Joan Frisbie Neff ’47. IVAN RAINER passed away on February 8, 2013. ANTHONY “TONY” STRATTA, an avid and talented athlete, passed away on March 29, 2013. Competitive in long distance running and tennis for the better part of 60 years, he played tennis in Golden Gate Park for three decades, and counted among his good friends Rosie Casals, a world-class tennis champion. He was very involved in the Bay Area Tennis League and brought his team to victory countless times. His collection of trophies, medals and T-shirts is overflowing. His running career included 59 Dipsea Races, 174 marathons (over 50 of those 50 milers, and the S.F. Marathon 18 times) and he first ran the Cross City Race, later to become the Bay to Breakers at the age of 16 in 1946. He entered the Western States 100 miler three times with his best finish 86 miles.
He ran around Lake Tahoe twice in the Pepsi 72 miler. He ran the Bay to Breakers over 60 times and was a member of the San Francisco DSE Running Club, Pamakids Running Club and the Northern California Veteran Boxers Association. He was instrumental in having the field at Jackson Park in the Potrero district of S.F. named for Tony Lazzeri, an Italian American baseball legend, and also worked tirelessly to have S.F. baseball legend Lefty O’Doul honored in Cooperstown. Two of Tony’s children and two of his grandchildren will run the 2013 Dipsea to honor his memory. Tony is also survived by his wife Mary, to whom he was married for 53 years. TAKETSUGU “TAK” TAKEI passed away unexpectedly on January 18, 2013. During WWII, Tak’s family was interned at Santa Anita Racetrack and later at Utah’s Topaz Relocation Center. After returning to San Francisco, he graduated from UC Berkeley before serving in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence Service in Japan and Korea. Tak then earned his law degree from Hastings College of the Law and was admitted to practice in 1961. Tak’s career spanned all three branches of government: Legislative — Joined Legislative Counsel of the State of California in 1961; Executive — Appointed Director of California Department of Consumer Affairs by Governor Jerry Brown in 1975; Judicial -- Appointed Judge of the Santa Clara County Superior Court, where he was the county’s first Asian-American Superior Court Judge in 1976. Tak was also one of the original five attorneys to the newly formed Santa Clara County Office of the Public Defender in 1965. After spending 20 years on the bench, Judge Takei retired in 1996. He is survived by his wife Lilly, three children and six grandchildren. VICTOR TORRES died March 25, 2013. PATRICIA WALKER JONES died February 26, 2013.
1948 DIANA ANSON MORASCH, educator and supporter of the arts, died in January 2011. Diana earned her bachelors degree and teaching credential from San Jose State, then began work as an elementary school teacher in San Francisco before moving to Yuba City, where she taught until her retirement in 1994. An active supporter of local fine arts, she participated in local high school productions directed by her husband, Ben, who survives her. Diana was also involved in local social and political organizations, including the Yuba City Senior Commission. THOMAS GLIKBARG, athlete and successful restaurateur, passed away on February 13, 2013 at the age of 82 at his home in Atherton surrounded by his loving family, after a long battle with multiple myeloma. A baseball and All-City basketball player at Lowell, Tom earned a business degree from Stanford in 1952. He was well known for his achievements as President of Lyon’s Restaurants, with 86 locations at the time of his retirement. An avid sports fan and regular at Stanford games, Tom attended more than 50 Big Games. He was well known for his exceptionally sharp wit and great sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth (Betsy) Fletcher Glikbarg ’54, three children, eight grandchildren and many other relatives. MARY KURTZWEIL NORDBERG died December 6, 2012 in Florence, Oregon. JOANNE SELENE NAPP passed away peacefully at the Woodside Terrace in Redwood City on January 21, 2013. A graduate of Commodore Sloat Elementary School, Aptos Junior High School and Lowell, she moved to Daly City in 1955, where she lived for the next 38 years. She worked in Marketing Research until she retired in 1993. Joanne loved talking on the phone and socializing with both friends and strangers, so this was the perfect field for her! One of Joanne’s proudest accomplishments was raising her three children as a single mother. She truly loved her family. Joanne called Woodside Terrace in Redwood City her home for the past 19 years, where she lived the last few years of her life in
a simple fashion spending plenty of time communicating with friends and family near and far, watching her favorite TV shows and old movies, and keeping up with celebrity gossip and the latest fashion trends. Persevering through difficult times in her life with tremendous resiliency, Joanne always maintained a positive outlook on life. She loved her family and will always be remembered as someone who cared for others even before caring for herself. We will never forget her sense of humor and her contagious smile! KURTIS MAYER, who escaped Nazi Germany and became a champion Lowell debater despite not learning English until the age of 10, passed away on November 13, 2012 in Tacoma, Washington. Kurt attended College of the Pacific in Stockton (now University of the Pacific) as well as Hastings College of the Law. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army as an interpreter in Germany and later worked for the Red Cross in Anchorage, Alaska. After moving to Tacoma in 1957, he opened Mayer Built Homes in 1964 and eventually developed subdivisions comprising several thousand homes and apartments in Washington, Idaho, Colorado and California. He championed desegregation by selling homes in previously all-white neighborhoods to minority families. In 1982, he and other developers sued the federal government for violating contracts they had with HUD and, after several years of litigation, the developers prevailed before the U.S. Supreme Court. Kurt once said, “This is a great country, where an immigrant can sue the government and win!” Kurt was invited to lecture at Pacific Lutheran University at a Holocaust Studies course in the 1970s. That began a relationship that would forever shape his life. After many years lecturing in Holocaust Studies and at the PLU business school, Kurt was asked and became PLU’s first Jewish member of the Board of Regents. Later, with help from friends and family, Kurt was instrumental in creating an endowed chair in Holocaust studies at PLU in his name, thus making Holocaust Studies permanent there to honor the memory of his relatives who died in the Holocaust. In 2009 Kurt published his autobiography, My Personal Brush with History, and donated all of the proceeds to the Holocaust Studies program at PLU. In 2011, he was invited by The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. to sign copies of his autobiography. Kurt was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He touched many lives with his friendship, wisdom, and humor. Kurt believed more than anything in the American Dream and lived it throughout his life. His sharp mind and wit were there up until the last day.
1949 ORRA CROSBY HYDE died December 6, 2012. RICHARD RHODES died April 23, 2012.
1950 JOHN LAZAR, loving husband, dear father, cherished friend, mentor and community leader, died peacefully on April 25, 2013. After graduating from the University of California and earning his MBA from Stanford, John had a distinguished career in real estate and was an early and ardent supporter of fair housing rights. He is survived by his wife Ginna, ex-wife Joanne, six children, five grandchildren and his brother Alan Lazar ’53. JAMES MORRIS has passed away. GALE WRIGHT, U.S. Army veteran and retired San Francisco Police Department Sergeant, passed away peacefully at home on March 23, 2012. After Lowell and his Army service, Gale spent more than 27 years with the SFPD, mostly in the Accident Investigation Bureau with his final eight years in charge of the Hit & Run Detail. Gale loved camping, boating, waterskiing, reading, drawing, cruising, and house painting, including painting many houses in the Sunset District. He loved NASCAR and Mickey Mouse, and taking care of his second home at Lake Berryessa. Gale was preceded in
death by his wife Louise, to whom he was married for 57 years.
1951 ZENA ABERS FISH died in her sleep November 18, 2012, surrounded by her loving family, after a valiant fight against cancer. Zena was Editor of The Lowell and later graduated from UC Berkeley. A tireless volunteer, she worked for various Marin country groups, including the local school board, the Marin Civic Ballet and the City of Hope. Zena then began a new immensely satisfying career as a paralegal. Zena was an avid golfer and an active member of Lake Merced Golf and Country Club, serving as captain of the Ladies Golf Association. Zena, never without a book at her side, shared her love of reading by mentoring children through the Peninsula Jewish Coalition for Literacy. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Leon, as well as three daughters, seven grandchildren and sister Lynn Abers Miller ’57.
1952 DALE TABER passed away on May 14, 2012.
1953 ROBERTA HAMILTON ROLLING died April 12, 2010. MICHAEL LEASKOU, an outstanding Lowell basketball player who is a member of the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame as well as the Lowell Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, passed away on December 21, 2012 after a short illness. After Lowell, Mike attended USC and served in the U.S. Army. A loyal and loving man, he will be missed by many and, most of all, by his loving wife Betty. Donations in Mike’s memory may be made to the Lowell Alumni Association, to be directed to the Ben Neff Scholarship Fund.
1955 GUENTER MERKLE died January 5, 2013.
1956 KEVIN HARRINGTON, a passionate defender of the undefended and a true Renaissance man with interests in music, art and books, died on January 7, 2013 in the presence of his wife Peggy at their Mill Valley home. After Lowell, Kevin graduated from Yale University and earned his M.D. with honors from UCSF Medical School. Following his internship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and service in the U.S Army, he did an orthopedic residency at UCSF and was assistant chief of orthopedic surgery at San Francisco General Hospital from 1972-77 before entering private practice. He held numerous academic appointments, authored more than a hundred papers on orthopedics and presented at professional meetings worldwide. Kevin served on the Medical Admissions board for UCSF for many years and was a consultant to the National Football League Players Association. He served on the board of the San Francisco Boys Chorus and The American Bach Soloists. Kevin Harrington epitomized his dedication to the Hippocratic Oath “to preserve the finest traditions of his calling and to long experience the joy of healing those who seek his help.” To that end, Kevin gave unstintingly of his time and expertise, volunteering at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Haiti and at the “Hole in the Wall Gang” camp in Connecticut, and, finally, after retiring from private practice in 2003, Dr. Harrington committed his time, talent, and great enthusiasm to the Marin Community Clinics, where he spearheaded and expanded orthopedic services to the underserved of Marin County. He was awarded the “Community Champion” award by MCC in 2012 for his commitment to the ideal “that all patients deserve quality care and attention no matter what their financial circumstances.” Kevin is survived by his wife Peggy, their five children, five grandchildren and by his first wife, Margaret Plumley Stephenson.
Spring 2013 u Lowell Alumni Association u Page 19
PHILLIP RUPPRECHT has passed away.
him to retire. He is survived by his wife Candy and three children.
1957 RICHARD SELIG passed away January 31, 2013.
1966 PATRICIA ANN CHIN died in 2011.
CAROLYN SUSNOW died in 2012.
MICHAEL MCKENZIE died April 28, 2013.
RICHARD AUSTIN KROGER passed away in June 2012.
JOY ROTHSCHILD passed away in 2012.
1967
1960 DONALD ROSS SILBERSTEIN died on December 4, 2012 of complications from surgery. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Melody, daughter Staci, sister Marcey, brother Alan and many, many friends.
KATHRYN MCBRIDE died in 2012. SHELDON WONG passed away in 2011. GWENDOLYN YEE died in 2012.
1968
1961 DIANA HANSEN February 19, 2013.
BROGOITTI
died
DIANNE OWENS SHEMANO died in January 2013.
1962
JACK MARGID passed away on February 1, 2013 at the age of 61. Jack graduated from UC Berkeley and spent 35 years with Wells Fargo Bank. He was an avid Life Grand Master Bridge player and is survived by many cousins and close friends.
Carolina. He was a gifted writer who made us laugh, an inspired artist who found ways to turn things like old tires and rusty bolts into amazing wall art, a wonderful son and friend. He also left behind a treasure of great stories, paintings, and memories that his family will always cherish. After Lowell, he bounced around in Minnesota, New York, Washington, Florida, Rhode Island, Virginia, and North Carolina, as well as overseas. In his memory, a tree was planted in the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park on April 15. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Matthew’s name. CARLA TRELAUN TOCCI died April 22, 2013, leaving behind her devoted husband Sidino and her daughter Elizabeth, as well as sisters Ariane ’80 and Martine ’85 and a large loving community. Carla’s mother is Sara Trelaun, a cherished member of the Lowell faculty from 1963 to 1998.
Faculty
2014
JACQUELINE ANDERSEN passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of February 2, 2013. After teaching English at Lowell from 1983 to 1988, she retired to read, travel and enjoy her life and the San Francisco 49ers. Her mind was sharp until the end, evidenced by the Scrabble game left unfinished in which she scored a triple word. She loved reading literature and later listening to audio books as her vision faded. She was probably one of Amazon’s best customers. She modeled a strong social and political conscience from the early days of civil rights and anti-war rallies in San Francisco to her profound joy in the President’s re-election in 2012. She was active in forming and nurturing the San Francisco teachers’ labor union. Ms. Andersen is survived by three daughters, seven grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.
1970
STEVEN STANFORD, died October 18, 2012 in Waldport, Oregon. After graduating from Lowell, he spent four years in the Air Force and then was a police officer in Palm Springs before moving to Alaska. Steve spent 30 years in Anchorage as a Logistics Support Specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration before retiring with his wife Sue to Oregon, where they became involved in a variety of volunteer work in their community and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. Steve is survived by his wife, two children and two grandchildren.
CANDIE SNOW died February 7, 2013.
1976 TIMOTHY FEENER has passed away.
1980 ROBERT DAVID WONG died May 29, 2012.
1965
1985
HAMILTON LEONG died July 25, 2012.
DANIEL CHANG KIM passed away in 2008.
ERNEST NACKORD III died December 18, 2012. RICHARD SUSNOW died in November 2011 after a long illness. A Lowell football player and members of Scroll & L, he was a great friend to many. Richard graduated form UCLA and had a successful legal career before his illness forced
1986 MATTHEW SHINNICK passed away February 25, 2013 at his home in Raleigh, North
come difficulties, and are eternally grateful that she was always there for us when we had struggles as well. Han would lighten our moods every time we saw her, and would give us one of her trademarked tight hugs, the ones that made your chest hurt. Her happiness was contagious, and when she started laughing, so did we. Han has definitely made a lasting impression in our lives, and we are unbelievably grateful and glad that we had an opportunity to know an adorable and remarkable person like her, and will treasure her memories forever. What ultimately keeps us going is knowing that Han, of all people, would’ve wanted us to stay happy, remembering the good times and still laughing at the inside jokes. Hanren, your body is taking a break from Earth, but your spirit is still here. You are watching over us, and just know that you will always be in our hearts and minds. You always made life more cheerful with your brilliant smile and humor. You taught us how to enjoy each and every day. We love you.
HANREN CHANG died in a tragic accident on March 2, 2013 after being struck by car driven by an alleged drunk driver while walking across Sloat Boulevard at Vale Street. Her classmates offer the following remembrance: We are proud to say that Hanren was one of our best friends. Through the joyful and fulfilling friendships, she blossomed into the unique and wonderful person many people knew her as. We have always admired her determination to over-
An Illustrated History of Lowell High School 1856–2006
I
n celebration of Lowell’s sesquicentennial, the Lowell Alumni Association is proud to announce the publication of the definitive history of the West’s oldest public high school, spanning Lowell’s colorful 150-year history.
A limited number of this keepsake hardcover book are still available. The book includes: ◆ A complete narrative history of Lowell, from its 1856 founding as Union Grammar School to today ◆ 300 pages, including nearly 150 photos (many in color) ◆ Complete histories of many Lowell activities, including music, drama, forensics, JROTC, etc. ◆ Detailed accounts of the history of various Lowell sports, from football to swimming An accompanying CD-ROM provides several special features, including: ◆ Complete graduation lists of every class from December, 1859, through June, 2007 ◆ A listing of every Lowell faculty member ◆ Special lists (student body presidents, editors of The Lowell, etc.) ◆ Selected images from the Lowell Alumni Association archives This commemorative history is being sold for $50, including tax, shipping and handling. Just complete and return the order form below to take advantage of this very special offer. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact us at (415) 759-7830 or lowellaa@lowellalumni.org.
YES! I would like to order ________ copies of An Illustrated History of Lowell High School 1856–2006 ($50 each). Enclosed is my check (made payable to Lowell Alumni Association) in the amount of $___________. Name ______________________________________________Class ________ Last Name at Lowell (if different) _____________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________ City ________________________________ State _________ Zip __________ E-mail __________________________ Phone __________________________ Mail to Lowell Alumni Association PO Box 320009 San Francisco, CA 94132
LOWELL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PO BOX 320009 San Francisco, CA 94132-0009
Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit 7857 San Francisco, CA
Lowell Alumni Association PO BOX 320009 • San Francisco, CA 94132 • (415) 759-7830 E-Mail: lowellaa@lowellalumni.org Visit our website: www.lowellalumni.org for information about reunions, special events at Lowell and alumni news
Spring 2013 — Lowell Alumni Newsletter
Attention Parents Help us ensure that your son or daughter receives this newsletter in a timely manner. If your child has a new permanent address, please let us know so that we can update our records. Contact us at (415) 759-7830 or, via e-mail, at lowellaa@lowellalumni.org. Thank you!
Lowell on Twitter Check out general Lowell news @lowellalumni and Lowell sports news @lowellsports
Sports Round-Up: 15 City Titles, More In The Works Lowell athletes continue to dominate the Academic Athletic Association in most sports, earning 13 AAA titles this semester with several others likely later this month. Both our varsity and JV girls basketball teams were undefeated in league play this year, resulting in the fourth consecutive city title for both teams. Our boys basketball teams didn’t fare as well, with the varsity squad missing the playoffs and the frosh/ soph team dropping in the semi-finals. The Lady Cardinals ran the table in girls soccer, finishing with an 8-0 victory over Washington in the AAA championship game. The same story played out for our varsity and frosh/soph girls volleyball teams, where both went undefeated and took city titles this year. Our swim teams continued their city championship streaks as well took AAA titles in all four divisions: boys JV, girls JV (7th consecutive title), boys varsity (17th consecutive title) and, most impressively, girls varsity (24th consecutive title). No school other than Lowell has ever won the
girls varsity swimming championship in the AAA. Legendary baseball coach John Donohue guided the varsity squad to their first appearance in the AAA championship game at AT&T Park since 2008 and the results were the same as five years ago – Lowell defeated a strong Washington High School squad, this time in an 8-0 shutout. Our frosh/soph team recorded an undefeated season and also blanked Washington in the championship game, making this our fourth frosh/ soph title in the past five years. In fencing, Lowell won the overall title for the fifth straight year and the girls varsity championship for the third year in a row. Lowell grapplers came within a halfpoint of taking the All-City team title, with Cardinal wrestlers winning four of the 14 weight classes. Lowell’s boys volleyball team came back from a 2-0 deficit in the championship to win the final three games against Galileo to earn their second consecutive AAA championship. And our boys tennis team won yet
Boys volleyball team celebrates after their come from behind championship win
another AAA team title this year, their fifth consecutive team title and 22nd team title in the past 23 years. Lowell’s Andy Huynh and Nick Haddad took the AAA tennis doubles title. In several other sports, Lowell teams are
in the midst of playoffs as of press time, including our undefeated girls softball and boys golf teams. For more Lowell sports info and detailed schedules, visit www.lowellathletics.com or www.cifsf.org
Boys tennis team captures AAA team title
Lowell’s AAA baseball champions.
photo credit: Godofredo Vasquez