Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Robert Hagan
Robert Hagan, who retired as a UC Davis professor of water science in 1987 after being associated with the university for 50 years, died on July 3, 2002, following complications from a stroke suffered in April. He was 85 years old.
Hagan believed that a major role of the university is to develop and communicate reliable scientific data to decision-makers at all levels. Through his leadership and achievements in numerous roles, he lived this commitment to facilitate communication between water experts and public citizens, planners and policy makers.
In 1980, Hagan received UCD's Magnar Ronning Award for teaching excellence. "I try to encourage my students to think of how they would solve the related problems if they were in a position of authority," he said. "I constantly emphasize applications to problems of the real world."
These interests led Hagan to be a founder of the Water Education Foundation, a Sacramento-based, nonpartisan public-education organization, established in 1977.
Locally, Hagan served the Davis and Yolo County communities in many ways. He was a founder of International House, to welcome and support foreign students and scholars, and he was instrumental in getting a seniors living facility (the University Retirement Center) built in Davis. He also served 16 years as a director on the board of the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, his term ending in December 2001.
Hagan was also very proud of his long association with Rotary International. On international trips, he often visited meetings of the local Rotary clubs. In 1992, Hagan was named with his late wife, Rachel Knapp Hagan, to receive the city of Davis' Covell Award as Citizens of the Year, one of many honors received in recognition of his lifetime of public service.
Robert Mower Hagan was born in Oakland on Dec. 6, 1916, to Hugh Lawrence Hagan, the district attorney for the city of Oakland, and Geneva Mower Hagan, a teacher and headmistress at the Anna Head School in Oakland. He grew up in Oakland where he was an Eagle Scout and active in the youth group of Oakland's First Presbyterian Church, where he met Rachel Alice Knapp.
Bob and Rachel marriage in 1939 and remained together until Rachel's death in 1996. The friendships that Bob and Rae forged in their church youth group during the early years of the Great Depression proved unusually durable, many lasting a lifetime.
Following his graduation from UC Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, Hagan came to UC Davis in 1937, at the age of 21, to work as an associate in the botany department's agricultural station. In 1939, he transferred to work in UC Berkeley's soils department. There he received his master's degree in soil physics in 1942.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hagan served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army as an ROTC instructor teaching military science and tactics to cadets at Berkeley.
In 1946, Hagan returned with his family to Davis to continue his work at UC Davis. There he earned his doctorate in soils and plant physiology and joined the UC Davis faculty in 1948.
As Hagan's career unfolded as a researcher, mentor for graduate students and department chair for irrigation, his reputation grew as expert in the relationships between plants, water and soil. He worked with water scientists, officials, and other policy makers in the former Soviet Union, India, Asia, Latin American and the Middle East.
Throughout his career, Hagan worked to find common ground between agricultural water users and environmental groups in disputes over water development and resource management. He served on science advisory committees to the U.S. president, California governor, World Bank, Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation and many other institutions.
Hagan is survived by his companion, Gennie Riddle; two sons, Larry Hagan of Reston, Va., and Jim Hagan of Cupertino; their wives, Darlene and Linda; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 27, at Davis Community Church, 412 C St. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to International House, 10 College Park, Davis, CA 95616, or the Water Education Board (www.water-ed.org).
Nellie M. Clapper
Nellie Mae Clapper died at her home in Davis on July 15, 2002. She was 91 years old.
She was born on April 22, 1911 in Danville, Va.
She lived most of her life in Ohio and was a member of the Sugar Grove Methodist Church near Duncan Falls, Ohio. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, the Association of American Retired People, of Chandlersville Senior Citizens and Davis Senior Citizens Inc. During the past four years she lived in Davis with her daughter, Louise Fisher.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Irvill Clapper, and son, Richard Clapper.
She is survived by two daughters, Louise Fisher of Davis and Rosemary Hrinko of Florida; daughter-in-law, Una Clapper of Ohio; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Mumper of New York and Garnetta Warne of Ohio; and a brother, Bill Moore of Ohio.
A memorial service was scheduled for this morning at Davis Lutheran Church. The funeral and Burial service will be Saturday in Ohio.
The family suggests that remembrances be sent to Sugar Grove Methodist Church c/o Duncan Falls Methodist Church, Duncan Falls, Ohio 43734.
Ilene T. Eveland
Ilene Tipton Eveland died on July 14, 2002, at the Palms Garden assisted living residence in Woodland. She was 87 years old.
She was born on Aug. 25, 1914, in Esparto to Richard and Bessie Spence.
A lifelong resident of Yolo County, she attended both grammar and high school in Esparto and was a noted basketball player. After high school, she worked for the Yolo County in the Welfare Department. She left that position to begin a career with the state of California where she worked as a training officer for the Department of Employment Development. She retired after 32 years of service.
During her employment with the state, she served as a member of the board of directors for the State Employees Credit Union. After her retirement she and her husband Lloyd spent time at their home in Carmel as well as Woodland. They also traveled extensively.
She was an avid tennis player, winning many championships, including the Woodland city singles championship in 1961 and 1962. She also won the doubles championship in 1961.
Later in her life, she was ranked as high as No. 5 in the United States in the senior division. She traveled around the world playing in senior tennis matches. Her travels included Russia, Australia, New Zealand, England, Germany and various parts of the United States.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Lloyd Eveland of Woodland; three nephews, Robert Eveland and his wife Terri of Dunsmuir, John Pflug and his wife Linda of Alamagordo, N.M., and J.D. Eveland of California; two nieces, Marlene Stout and her husband Steve of Davis, and Ruth Ann Eveland of Maine; as well as several great-nephews and nieces.
A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Monument Hill Memorial Park. in Woodland.
The family would prefer memorials to Yolo Hospice, P.O. Box 1014, Davis, CA 95617.
McNary's Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Patricia E. Stacey
Patricia E. Stacey died unexpectedly at her home on July 14, 2002. She was 78 years old.
She was born on March 22,1924, in Sherman.
She lived in Davis for 30 years, working with Lyon & Associates since 1987.
She was a Yolo County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and a docent at the California State Railroad Museum. She served as a reading tutor in local schools and started the Monday night bridge group at the Davis Senior Center. Other activities included membership in the Republican Women's Club, the Yolo Historical Society and the Audubon Society.
She is survived by a sister, Alice Whettam of Southern California; three daughters, Joan Priday and Nancy Stacey Brown, both of Bend, Ore., and Jan York of San Jose; five grandchildren, Jeff Kammerer of San Diego, Julie Clever of Charlotte, N.C., Laura Francis of San Francisco, Derek York of Davis and Kevin York of San Jose; two great-grandchildren, Jenna Clever and Riley Francis; and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, 38141 Russell Blvd. Donations in her memory may be made to Yolo County CASA.
JoAnn Bradshaw
After many years of battling cancer, JoAnn Bradshaw died on July 14, 2002, at her home in Rosarito, Mexico. She was 64 years old.
She was born on Sept. 11, 1937, in Carthage, Mo.
She loved classical, music, opera and books. An accomplished artist, she painted and sold reproductions of the masters, portraits, animals and landscapes.
While living in Mexico for the past several years, she fell in love with the people, their culture and the land.
A courageous, loving person, she valued her family, insisted on enjoying each moment and experienced life with a sense of humor.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lorine Elinor Hilton and Loima Williamson; her husband, Frank Goodner; and an infant daughter, Bessie Lorine.
She is survived by her longtime partner, Leo Bradshaw; three daughters, Connie Jones and her husband Buzz, Bonnie Goodner and JoAnn Goodner Burke; three grandchildren, Rebecca Krochmalny, Sarah Goodner Van Valkenburgh and John Adam Van Valkenburgh; two brothers, John Young Sr. and Michael Williamson; and a sister, Leona Narr and her husband Walt.
She is further survived by a niece, Anita Boone and her husband Jeff; and four nephews Paul Narr and his wife Michelle, Walter Narr III and his wife Cathy, John Young Jr. and his wife Katie and Jim Young and his wife Heather.
She was loved dearly by family and friends.
A private service is pending.
Remembrances may be made to the UC Davis Cancer Center, 4501 X St., Room 3033, Sacramento, CA 95817.
Fred W. Kerr
Fred William Kerr, a resident of Vacaville since 1986, died on July 16, 2002, in Davis. He was 75 years old.
He was born on Oct. 8, 1926, in Alliance, Ohio.
In 1990, he retired from the Simon Mattress Co. in Vacaville. He was a 50-year Mason with the Conrad Lodge #271 of Alliance, Ohio.
His wife of 40 years, Helen Kerr, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his daughter, Janet Winther and her husband Chris of Vacaville; son, Fred Kerr and his wife Michelle of Pleasanton; and daughter, Salley Kerr Pletcher and her husband Drew Pletcher of Alameda. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Sarah and Chris Winther of Vacaville and Liam Pletcher of Alameda; a sister, Virginia Ross of Rocky River, Ohio; a brother, Donald Kerr and his wife Betty of Las Vegas, Nev.; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Frieda.
A memorial service will be held in Alliance, Ohio, at a later date. Inurnment will take place at Fairmont Memorial Park in Alliance.
Memorial contributions can be made to Yolo Hospice, P.O. Box 1014, Davis, CA 95617.
George R. Loewen
George Robert Loewen, a Woodland native and graduate of Woodland High School, died unexpectedly on July 13, 2002, at his home in Patterson. Born on April 3, 1960, he was 42 years old.
After attending Santa Rosa Junior College and Yuba College, he received his journalism degree in 1984 from Cal State Fresno. Since January 2001, he worked in Patterson as a reporter for the Patterson Irrigator.
During his years at Woodland High School, he played football and was voted the most loyal player on the 1978 varsity team.
Although he graduated in 1979, he returned to Woodland one weekend a month as a volunteer docent at the Heidrick Ag History Center and the Hays Antique Truck Museum.
Before joining the Patterson Irrigator's staff, he reported for The Davis Enterprise, The Daily Democrat and The Dixon Tribune.
His collegues will remember him for his positive attitude and sense of humor.
He is survived by his father, Walter R. Loewen of Woodland; brothers, Thomas K. Loewen and his wife Catherine of Woodland and Gerald D. Loewen and his wife Kate of Louisville, Ky.; sister-in-law, Carol M. Loewen of Sacramento; nieces, Heather Barnes of Davis, Samantha Loewen of Louisville, Melissa Smasal of Paradise, Marsha Jones of Sacramento and Stephanie Mouser of Woodland; and nephews, Brian Loewen of Gilroy and Nicholas Loewen of Louisville.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Sally M. Loewen, and his brothers Daniel R. Loewen and Frederick R. Loewen.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in St. John's United Church of Christ, 432 Cleveland St. in Woodland, the church where Loewen was baptized and confirmed. The Rev. Derril Peabody will officiate.
The family requests that any rememberances be sent to a charity of the donor's choice.
The Neptune Society is assisting in the arrangements.
Evelyn N.R. Pistorius
Evelyn Naomi (Rodgers) Pistorius died July 22, 2002, at Alderson Convalescent Hospital in Woodland. She was 93 years old.
She was born on Sept. 7, 1909, in Stockton to Elsie Helen (Johnson) Rodgers and Benjamin Elias Rodgers. In 1961, she moved with her family to Woodland, where she was a homemaker and licensed daycare provider.
She loved to write poetry and received an award for her poem "Wake Up America," one of two poems she had published.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest W. Pistorius, three brothers and a sister.
She is survived by her daughters, Cheris Johnson of Woodland, Carol Clemens of Dunsmuir, Marva Robinson of Eureka, Arlene Andrews of San Jose and Sharon Taylor of Woodland. She also leaves a son, Raymond Pistorius of Fair Oaks, and a sister Helen Gammara of Danville.
She is further survived by 20 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Friday at 1:30 p.m. at McNary's Chapel in Woodland.
Bailey R. Smith-Rogers
Bailey Renae Smith-Rogers, the infant daughter of Eric Burdett Rogers and Sarah Sullivan Smith, died July 20, 2002, at Woodland Memorial Hospital.
In addition to her parents, survivors include maternal grandparents Douglas and Kathleen Smith of Woodland and paternal grandparents Harold Rogers of Paradise and Kimberley Chavannes-Gupton of Woodland.
A prayer service will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Holy Rosary Church in Woodland. Interment at St. Joseph's Cemetery will follow.
McNary's Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Duncan C. McCormack Jr.
Surrounded by his loving wife and children, Duncan Cook McCormack Jr. died July 19, 2002, at his home in El Macero. He was 72 years old.
He was born Aug. 31, 1929, to Duncan and Elizabeth McCormack. He spent his childhood on the family farm near Rio Vista. After graduating from Rio Vista High School, he received his degree in agriculture from UC Davis.
In 1950, he marriage his wife Ruth Beauchemin. The couple built their home on the family farm on McCormack Road and raised their three children. In August 1967, he and his family moved to El Macero to be nearer to their newly purchased ranch in the Yolo Bypass.
He was active in the livestock industry and its related associations. He was a member and past president of National Wool Marketing Association, Cal-Wool Marketing Association, and Solano County Wool Growers Association. He was also a member of the California Cattlemen's Association, California Wool Growers Association, Yolo County Farm Bureau, Woodbridge Masonic Lodge, El Macero Country Club and the National Rifle Association.
He had a great interest in protecting private property rights and was a generous donor to the Pacific Legal Foundation. In addition, he and his wife were active parent leaders for the Solano County 4-H Club.
His interests and hobbies were varied and diverse, however, his most gifted pastime was meeting and helping friends. His kindness and sense of humor will be remembered and dearly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ruth McCormack, and their children, Duncan III, Leslie Tuel and Linda Bowling. He is further survived by seven grandchildren, Duncan McCormack IV, Christy McCormack, Houston Tuel III, Stacey Tuel, and Elizabeth, Henry and Olivia Bowling.
A celebration of his life will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at the Rio Vista Congregational Church. A luncheon reception will immediately follow at The Point Restaurant in Rio Vista.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to FamiliesFirst, 2100 Fifth St., Davis, CA 95616 or to Sutter VNA Hospice, 2800 L St., Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95816.
Stanley L. Rooney Jr.
Stanley L. "Mickey" Rooney Jr. died July 18, 2002, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 64 years old.
A descendant of the western Yolo County pioneer families of John Schaupp and John Ralston Jones, he was born in Woodland on May 16, 1938.
He received his early education at The Gordon School, a one-room school that was located on the Gordon land grant east of Madison. He attended the Esparto schools when The Gordon School closed its doors because of unification.
During his high school years, he was active in sports, played the drums in the Esparto High Band and served as the Esparto High student body president. He was also belonged to Future Famers of America and received the state farmers degree. He graduated from high school in 1956.
His professional career centered around agriculture. He farmed the family ranches east and south of Madison after his father's death. Beginning in the late 1960s, he was employed at the Esparto Barber Rowland Fertilizer Co. He later worked as a manager of the company's facility in Willows.
He was also employed as a licensed fertilizer and herbicide sales representative for Pure Gro Farm Chemical Co. in the Sutter Basin area. Most recently, he devoted his time to farming his rice ranch in Colusa. Given his interests and family's farming legacy, he was accepted into the California 100-year agriculture legacy program.
He was active in Esparto Little League, Esparto FFA Advisory Committee, Esparto Water District Board, Esparto Lions Club, Woodland Elks and Esparto Citizens Committee. He spent his leisure time building and fixing items in his shop, traveling with his trailer and visiting family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Stanley L. Rooney III, and his parents Stanley and Ilene Rooney.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Anne of Esparto; and their four daughters: Tammie Griffin and her husband George of Winters, Stephanie Castro and her husband Joseph of Winters, Stacey Campbell and her husband Michael of Woodland and Gretchen Adan and her husband Casey of Woodland.
He is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Natasha Matsumura and Fallon Griffin of Winters; Joey, Autumn, Raven and Cale Castro of Winters; April, Caitlin and Chase Campbell of Woodland and Hannah and Elise Adan of Woodland. He is further survived by his sisters, Jean Errington of Woodland and Betty Wintz of Chicago; aunts, Gessie Mae Hayes and Imelda Rooney of Woodland.
A graveside service is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Capay Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Friends of Esparto Regional Library, P.O. Box 787, Esparto, CA 95627 or to the donor's favorite charity.
