Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Edward C. Olson
Church volunteer
Services will be held Saturday, October 2, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, for Edward C. Olson, who died September 23 after a long struggle with lung cancer. He was 46.
Born in Toronto, he moved to the United States at the age of 8. Mr. Olson graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and earned a master's degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University. He marriage Debra Ann Bacharach in 1976, and lived in Dallas before moving to California in 1983. He was last employed as director of alliances at Hitachi Computer Products.
Family members said Mr. Olson was an active volunteer at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and the Child and Family Institute in Menlo Park. He taught Sunday School for many years and served on the vestry, the rector search committee, and the stewardship and finance commissions. He was liason board member from the church to Trinity School and was on the board of directors of the Child and Family Institute.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed traveling, gardens, music, bicycling, motorcycling, skiing, hiking, sailing and fishing. He also coached basketball and soccer for his sons' teams and assisted with their Cub Scouts troops.
He is survived by his wife, Debra; his sons, Andrew, Stephen, and Eric; his father, C. Donald Olson; and his stepmother, Nancy Olson.
The memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 330 Ravenswood Ave., in Menlo Park, at 10 a.m. Burial services will be private.
Donations may be made to the Child and Family Institute, 330 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025; or to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 330 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025.
Ann B. Riddle
Active in community
Ann Bockwinkel Riddle, a longtime resident of Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Los Altos, died at Stanford Hospital on September 23. She was 64.
Mrs. Riddle was raised in River Forest, Illinois, and was a 1957 graduate of Wellesley College, where she remained active in allumni affairs as "Chairman of Clubs." She founded the San Francisco Wellesley Women for Art.
She was active in several community organizations. As a docent for the Stanford art museum, a family member says, Mrs. Riddle enjoyed attending art history courses at Stanford. Flowers were a large part of her life. She was a member of the garden clubs of Winnetka, Illinois, and Palo Alto, California. She was also a member of the Evanston, Illinois, and Palo Alto junior leagues.
Mrs. Riddle loved to play golf, tennis and swim, family members say. She was a member of the Menlo Country Club, the Glenbrook Golf Club in Nevada, and the Foothills Tennis and Swim Club. She also swam as an AAU competitor as a student at Wellesley College.
Family members say Mrs. Riddle was a dedicated volunteer and served on many boards and committees. She was board president of the MidPeninsula Family Service Association and board member of the National Family Service Association. Mrs. Riddle was national treasurer of the Family Foundation Board.
She was active as a board member and president of the Senior Coordinating Council of Palo Alto. She was also a founder and president of the Age Center Alliance. Mrs. Riddle has been a longtime member of the Peninsula Ball Committee and was recognized as the honorary chairman of the Debutante Ball in 1998.
She was a member of the Portola Valley Presbyterian Church where she met and marriage her husband John. Later, she moved to the Los Altos Methodist Church, where she served as chairman of the Administrative Board.
She is survived by her husband John; daughters Lynn Barton of Medford, Oregon, Sarah Lilja of Mapleton, Minnesota, and Susan Veroff of Newtonville, Massachusetts; stepsons Bruce Riddle of Bardstown, Kentucky, John "Jed" Riddle of Atherton; a brother George W. Bockwinkel III of River Forest, Illinois; and a sister Sarah Sowersby of Brevard, North Carolina.
Mrs. Riddle's ashes were scattered at sea. Private and public services were held. Memorial donations may be directed to the Community Breast Health Project, 545 Bryant St., Palo Alto, CA 94301.
William Keene Langhorne
Pilot, Portola Valley resident
William Keene Langhorne, a resident of Atherton and Portola Valley for 47 years, died September 23 at his Portola Valley home.
Services will be held at Christ Church at Glendower, Albermarle County, in Virginia where he was born into a large, lively and often outspoken family that included, among others, his aunt Lady Astor, the first women in British Parliament, according to his family. The importance of family and community remained with him his whole life.
After graduation from Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg in 1937, he attended the University of Virginia where he was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity and president of the interfraternity council. Having learned to fly in Lynchburg, he cut short his studies at the start of America's preparedness for World War II in order to train Royal Air Force cadets in Clewiston, Florida. He marriage Jane Cobb Skillern of Philadelphia in 1943.
Mr. Langhorne became a pilot for Pan American World Airways in 1945, and soon transferred from Miami to Rio de Janeiro. In those early days, it took four days to get from Miami to Rio in a DC3. At the time of his retirement in 1979, he flew the same route with the Boeing 707 in a matter of hours.
Stationed primarily in San Francisco, Mr. Langhorne also was based in Frankfurt, Germany, where he flew food and supplies to Berlin in the early 1950s, and later in Hong Kong for five years, where he flew Pan Am's R&R planes during the Vietnam war.
Sailing off Fiji in 1962, he and eight others were shipwrecked for more than 24 hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued. After 1967, the Langhornes began dividing their time between Portola Valley and Sun Valley, Idaho.
Mr. Langhorne was always a Virginian at heart and known for his generous Southern hospitality, said his family. An inspired cook, he invented many recipes, but, unfortunately, didn't write them down.
He volunteered at the Portola Valley Library and the Westridge committee and was a member of the Civil War Round Table and the Menlo Country Club.
Mr. Langhorne is survived by his wife, Jane; daughters, Julie Langhorne of Portola Valley, Terry Morawitz of Half Moon Bay, Dana Howell of Sun Valley; brother, Harry Langhorne; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild, named Keene.
Henry Walter West
High-tech pioneer
A descendant of two San Francisco pioneer families, Henry Walter West died September 25 at the age of 73 in his Menlo Park home where he lived for 45 years. His death was due to complications of Alzheimer's disease.
A high-tech pioneer, he was part of the highly classified team that put up the first spy satellite to photograph Russian military airports from space.
Born in San Francisco, he grew up in a summer resort near Mount Lassen, started by his father in 1926. He parlayed his early passion for all things flying into a 31-year career with Lockheed in Sunnyvale as a satellite design engineer. He attended Stanford University for his senior year in high school, and then joined the Naval Reserve as an apprentice seaman as soon as he was 18. He remained in training at the University of California, Berkeley, until August 1945 when he returned to Stanford, graduating in 1949 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Mr. West met Verna Steele, an accomplished skier from Wyoming, through the Peninsula Ski Club. They were marriage in 1953. He obtained his pilot's license in 1954 and expanded his piloting skills to include home-built gyrocopters, hot-air balloons and gliders. He was a member of the Experimental Aviation Association and served in the Civil Air Patrol and National Ski Patrol for many years. Both Mr. and Mrs. West flew a Cesna 172 for the Oceanic Society, monitoring environmental conditions around the Bay Area.
One of the Bay Area's first windsurfers in the 1970s, Mr. West was the oldest one to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge in the first race across the treacherous strait in 1975. Always seeking heights, he fell from a tree in 1993, broke his neck and survived.
Mr. West is survived by his wife, Verna; three daughters, Judy West of San Francisco, Donna West of Malibu, Audrey Vaggione of Saratoga and his son-in-law Mike Vaggione; two grandson, Chris and Grant Vaggione; and a sister Barbara Padovan of Sacramento.
A memorial service for Mr. West was held October 3 at the West home. Contributions in his memory may be made to Peninsula Volunteers at Rosener House in Menlo Park.
Ronald L. Campbell
Architect
Ronald L. Campbell, a Woodside resident for 50 years, died September 6 in San Mateo. He was 93.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mr. Campbell graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a master's degree in architecture in 1929, and remained active in the university's alumni association.
In 1931 he established an architectural and city planning practice in San Mateo. During that period, family members said, he co-authored the California State Planning Act, which mandated the establishment of county and city planning commissions. He also served as planning director for San Mateo County, and during World War II he served as planning adviser to the office of the president of the United States.
In 1946 Mr. Campbell joined the David D. Bohannon Organization. As executive vice president he directed the design of community development projects, including Hillsdale, San Lorenzo Village, and the Bohannon Industrial Park.
He was president of the California Planners Institute, the San Mateo County Development Association, and a life member of the Urban Land Institute Board of Trustees. His club affiliations included the Pacific Union Club, the Palo Alto Club, and the Menlo Country Club. He also served on the governing board of the Filoli Estate.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth T. Campbell; daughter Lynn C. Spielman; granddaughter Cailean S. Sherman; and great-grandson Robert C. Sherman.
A private service has been held. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Eleanor F. Wilder
Peninsula Newspaper retiree
Eleanor F. Wilder, a retiree from Peninsula Newspaper Inc., died September 2. She was 93.
A native of Canada, Mrs. Wilder lived in Menlo Park for 20 years. Her husband John G. Wilder preceded her in death.
Mrs. Wilder is survived by her stepchildren Barbara and Paul Armstrong of Redwood City; step-grandchildren Terry Tringali and Robin Kurotori and their respective families; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was held at St. Raymond's Church and a private Burial took place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Menlo Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oakwood Community of Retired Nuns; St. Raymond's Church, 1100 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025; or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Martha Blackwelder Merk
Long-time Portola Valley resident
Martha Blackwelder Merk, a Portola Valley resident for 39 years, died on July 21. She was almost 92.
Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Mrs. Merk moved to Stanford in 1924, when her father, Dr. Eliot Blackwelder, became head of the school's geology department. She graduated from Castilleja School in Palo Alto, earned a Stanford degree in classics and got a master's degree at San Francisco State. She also lived in West Menlo Park with her husband.
Mrs. Merk enjoyed the outdoors, backpacking and hiking throughout the world. She continued to ride her bike until age 85, and she was a strong supporter of the environment. As a research assistant, she studied primates at Veterans Hospital in Palo Alto.
She is survived by her children, Emily Danford and Eliot Merk of Hilo, Hawaii, and Richard Merk of Portola Valley; her sisters Lois Fuller and Marjorie Alden of Palo Alto; her brother Richard Blackwelder of Missouri; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sempervirens Fund, Defenders of Wildlife or the Sierra Club Foundation. A memorial gathering will take place in August.
Frank J. Lodato
Stanford volunteer
Longtime Menlo Park resident and Stanford volunteer Frank J. Lodato died at home after a long struggle with cancer July 24. He was 73.
A lifelong resident of the Midpeninsula, Mr. Lodato headed the search committee that led to Bill Walsh's first major head coaching job. "He gave me a chance," said Mr. Walsh. "He was the essence of Stanford University and its athletic program."
Over the past 30 years, Mr. Lodato served on Stanford's Board of Trustees, the hospital board, the athletic board, and as a university fellow. He was a founding associate of the Center for Economic Policy Research and a co-founder of the Humanities and Science Forum.
Mr. Lodato also established the DAPER Investment Fund. With starting capital of $300,000, the fund is now valued at $40 million after contributing more than $10 million to the Stanford Athletic Department, family members said.
After the passage of Title IX legislation mandating support for women's athletics, he was instrumental in establishing Stanford's Cardinal Club to support women's athletics, family members said.
Mr. Lodato was the first recipient of Stanford's Outstanding Service Award, which now bears his name. He was given Stanford's Gold Spike Award in 1988.
Family members said his passion for volunteerism and business savvy were rooted in necessity. As the son of an immigrant railroad worker, he worked his way out of Depression-era poverty through hard labor and determination. At age 17, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving as a first sergeant in the Asia Occupation Forces at the age of 19.
He went on to graduate from Stanford University with a bachelor's degree in economics and he earned a master's degree in education in 1954. He then received a master's degree in political science from Princeton University in 1956.
With his then brother-in-law Gregor G. Peterson, he co-founded the Sutter Hill Companies, venture capital firms which were acquired by Genstar Corp. in 1969. He continued working in venture capital for the next 30 years, founding a number of companies which were later acquired by corporations, and served as chairman or board member on other startup companies, family members said.
When riots erupted in Peninsula schools in the late 1960s, he became active in Counterpart, heading a volunteer task force that assisted in strengthening the East Palo Alto community, family members said. He also served as the director of the San Mateo Boy Scouts Council, president of the board of trustees of the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, and has received awards from the Menlo Park PTA and the city of East Palo Alto for his work in the community.
Mr. Lodato is survived by his wife Dorothy; children Thomas, Jane, Douglas, Mark, Lori, and Karen; and eight grandchildren.
Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fran J. Lodato Fund for Cancer Research and Patient Care, c/o George Fisher, Medical Director, Oncology Clinic, Room M-211, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305.
A short version of this obituary appeared last week due to space limits.
Harry E. Degnan
Founded Degnan Printers
Harry E. Degnan, who had lived in Menlo Park for 40 years, died July 12. He was 85.
In 1953, Mr. Degnan started Degnan Printers in Menlo Park and later moved it near the Redwood City-Atherton border. The company is now managed by his son, Woodside resident Jim Degnan and his two grandsons, Mark and Jeff.
Mr. Degnan enjoyed gardening and artistic and poetic endeavors.
His first wife, Lillian, died in 1994. He is survived by his second wife, Florence Griffith, whom he marriage in 1995. They were active community members of Sunnyvale, where he lived most recently.
Other survivors include another son, Hal Degnan, of Los Osos, California; a grandaughter Holly; and six great-grandchildren.
Services were held July 16 at Woodside Village Church.
Ione Schindele
Menlo resident for 50 years
Ione Schindele, a Menlo Park resident for 50 years, died July 19. She was 83.
Born in Stickney, South Dakota, Ms. Schindele attended school in Iowa and later marriage Erwin W. Schindele in Idaho, where he was stationed at the Pocatello Army Air Base. After moving to Menlo Park, Ms. Schindele worked as an executive secretary for 20 years at the American Hardware Mutual Insurance Company. She retired in 1997, at the same time her husband retired from United Airlines.
Ms. Schindele enjoyed music, travel, and service to her church.
She is survived by her son, David Schindele and his wife Vicki of Fullerton, California; and three grandsons, Brent, Scott and Todd.
A memorial service was held July 25 at the First Baptist Church of Menlo Park. Arrangements were made by the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the First Baptist Church of Menlo Park Music Fund.
Evelyn Lucille Labadie
Author
Evelyn Lucille Labadie, a longtime resident of Menlo Park, died July 6. She was 82 years old.
Mrs. Labadie attended the University of California at Berkeley, graduating with a degree in textile design. Her textiles were exhibited at the San Francisco World's Fair in 1939. Family members said it was on a ferry from San Francisco to Berkeley that she met her late husband, Emile, with whom she raised a family that included six children and 11 grandchildren.
With her husband, she co-authored three books on native California plants. She was working on a cookbook at the time of her death. Her passion for weaving led her to attend many conferences and a two-week stint living with a Hopi textile designer in a New Mexico village.
She is survived by her children Emile Labadie of Piedmont, Dean Labadie of Davis, Bruce Labadie of Santa Cruz, Denise Snell of Longmont, Craig Labadie of Orinda, and Cheri Miller of Menlo Park; and 11 grandchildren. Her husband of 55 years, Emile, preceded her in death.
Memorial donations may be made to Peninsula Volunteers Little House Senior Center, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025.
M. Marjorie Collins
Worked for H-P
Mary Marjorie Collins, who lived in Menlo Park for 26 years, died July 11.
Mrs. Collins, a longtime employee of Hewlett-Packard, lived in Los Trancos Woods near Portola Valley for 17 years before moving to Menlo Park.
Known to family and friends as Marge, Mrs. Collins was born in 1916 in Washington state, the daughter of ranchers. As a young adult fresh out of high school, she studied cosmetology and became a licensed beautician and cosmetologist. She also marriage a physician and naval officer, William W. Collins, who died in 1952.
Mrs. Collins moved to California in 1956, and began her tenure with Hewlett-Packard that year. She worked as an administrative assistant until her retirement in 1981.
Among her interests were traveling, golf, bridge, and fishing for salmon from her boat in Santa Cruz. Her love of nature was surpassed only by her love for her family and friends, according to her family.
Mrs. Collins was preceded in death by her son Michael. She is survived by her son William Collins of Menlo Park, and two grandchildren.
Eleanor Ann Cahalan
Longtime Atherton resident
Eleanor Ann Cahalan, a 36-year resident of Atherton, died July 22. She was 71.
Born Eleanor Ann Donahue in Berkeley, she moved to Palo Alto as a teenager, completing her secondary education at the Sacred Heart School. At the age of 22 she marriage Dr. Gerald E. Cahalan and later studied visual arts at San Jose State College.
Family members said she was a talented painter who patiently and courageously fought a 28-year struggle with cancer.
She is survived by Dr. Gerald E. Cahalan, her husband of 49 years; children Michael, Mariana, Barbara, Margaret, John, James, Monica, and Bill; and 13 grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Mary Terrill, brother James P. Donahue, aunt Dorothy Burke, and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Pius Conference, 1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City, CA 94061; or to Mid-Peninsula Home Care and Hospice, 201 San Antonio Circle #135, Mountain View, CA 94040. Services have been held. Arrangements were made by Spangler Mortuaries in Menlo Park.
