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THE WEBB SCHOOLS webb.org
SUMMER 2021 WEBB MAGA ZINE
In Memoriam FORMER TRUSTEE Former Webb Trustee SARA ADLER passed away June 21, 2021, in Washington, D.C. from complications of ALS. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Robert, their children, JOE ’96 and CAROLINE ’00, and four grandchildren. The Adlers generously supported Webb for nearly three decades, with Sara serving on Webb’s Board of Trustees from 2017-18 and Robert serving as board chairman from 2004-11. Sara was professor emerita of Scripps College in Claremont, where she led the teaching of Italian studies at The Claremont Colleges for more than 40 years before retiring in 2018. She was a graduate of Smith College and was awarded a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1975.
FORMER FACULTY & FRIENDS We were saddened to learn that KEVIN KIMBER died October 1, 2020 in Wyoming, Minn. He was a loving father, a kind veterinarian and a gifted athlete, coach and teacher. Michael Bennett ’94 remembers chemistry class with Mr. Kimber, who also served as a dorm head and coach. Former English teacher LYN KRINSKY died March 25, 2021 at age 93. Jennifer Wong Gatewood Holzman ’92 wrote: “I am indebted to Ms. Krinsky for teaching me the fundamentals of English writing during my freshman year. Her teaching served me well over many years.” MIMI PAUWELS passed away March 15, 2021 after many months of illness. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Jacques, and two sons, Eric ’79 and Michel. Mimi was born in Algeria, where she met Jacques when he was serving in the French Navy during the Algerian war. They lived for some time in France before coming to the United States. The Pauwels moved onto the Webb campus in 1975 when Jacques joined the faculty as a French teacher. Mimi was an active member of the Webb community, tutoring students in French and welcoming many into her home. She also worked at the Ontario-Montclair School District and retired in 2005. In retirement, she traveled extensively and especially enjoyed her last trip to Sedona, Ariz., to see the colors of the Painted Desert. Mimi was active
with her church, North Hills SDA. Due to the complications of gathering during the pandemic, the family will hold a memorial service on the first anniversary of her passing in 2022. Because of the incredible impact she had in a variety of roles in the City of Claremont, Mimi’s biography was read at the March council meeting by Claremont Mayor COREY CALAYCAY ’88. The Jacques & Mimi Pauwels Fund for Excellence in World Languages & Cultures, established in 2015 by Eric to honor his parents, will ensure Mimi’s legacy forever at Webb. English teacher BRIAN ROGERS passed away February 17, 2021, after a valiant battle with brain cancer. Read about his contributions to the Webb community on page 52.
1940 GERALD “JERRY” OPPENHEIMER died May 4, 2021 at the age of 98. At Webb, Jerry was a prefect and the business manager of El Espejo. He was also known for his fencing, tennis and horseback riding. He was a bridge enthusiast and considered one of the best players. After Webb, he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces and attended Curtis Wright Technical Institute before founding an aviation components business serving the defense industries. His customers included Lockheed and North American Aviation. He was a civilian flight instructor during WW II at the Thunderbird Field in Glendale, Ariz., and flew F84 jets for Strategic Air Command during the Korean War. He also launched several successful business endeavors in the banking, automotive and high technology worlds. He dedicated his life to philanthropy and supported many causes, including the Stein Eye Institute, Veterans Park Conservancy, Hollywood Canteen Foundation, Gerald Oppenheimer Foundation, UCLA Center for Longevity and the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.
1943 THOMAS C. LEIGHTON passed away January 31, 2021. At Webb, Tom was involved in almost every aspect of campus. He was a member of Block W for his prowess on the basketball and track teams and also a member of the Peccary Society and Rifle Club.
1945 ROBERT L. “BOB” EMMET died December 20, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Mary Anne, daughter, Lindy, two sons, Robert and James, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. At Webb, Bob earned varsity letters in both football and basketball and was a bass singer in the glee club. He joined the U.S. Navy, where he served in the South Pacific on an aircraft carrier during WWII. Upon his return from the war, Bob attended Claremont McKenna College, where he received a B.A. in business administration and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, having set conference and school records in discus and hurdles. He eventually started his own business and served as the chief executive of Emett & Chandler Co., a national insurance brokerage, for 25 years.
1946 BURNET F. WOHLFORD died January 31, 2021. He was a member of Block W and left guard for the football team. As a student, he was described by faculty as being extremely hard working and conscientious. He was a dedicated alumnus who gave to Webb nearly every year for more than six decades.
1947 ROLAND JOSLYN passed away September 18, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, sons, GREGORY ’72 and Daniel, and his daughter, Amy. Roland was an active student at Webb. He was a member of the track and field team and well known as a fantastic piano player. He attended Pomona College, where he studied architecture. He went on to attend Northrop Institute.
1949 ANTHONY E. SOWERS died February 5, 2020. At Webb, Anthony was known as the king of Webb’s Radio Shack for his uncanny ability to fix anything electrical. He was also a member of Block W and a member of the Rifle Club.
1951 We just learned that RONALD JOHNSON passed away January 28, 2021. He resided in South Pasadena and is survived by his wife, Barbara.
