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Herman J. Phaff
Herman Jan Phaff died suddenly on Aug. 24, 2001, while on vacation in the Caribbean. He was a Professor Emeritus of Food Science and Technology at UC Davis.
Dedicated and modest, Phaff possessed an encyclopedic mind, and the loss to his family and friends, his university, and to the worldwide scientific community is immeasurable. He led a truly rich, lustrous life, and he touched many with his quiet warmth and boundless intellectual curiosity.
Born in Winschoten, the Netherlands, in 1913, Phaff spent his childhood in the environment of his family’s winery, which stimulated his interest in microorganisms and consequently had a strong impact on his later life. He attended the Technical University in Delft, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering with a thesis on “The elaboration of extracellular pectin-hydrolyzing enzymes by fungi, ” a subject of importance to the wine industry.
In 1939, at the recommendation of renowned microbiologist A.J. Kluyver, Phaff came to California to pursue graduate study at UC Berkeley in the Division of Fruit Products, later known as the Department of Food Technology. His initial research was done with Emil Mrak (later chancellor at UC Davis), and in his Ph.D. studies he worked under the direction of Maynard Joslyn and H.A. Barker. His research focused on yeast taxonomy, ecology and physiology. Phaff was studying in the United States during World War II; his brother, who fought in the Dutch resistance, was lost to the Nazi forces.
In 1943 Phaff accepted a faculty position at UC Berkeley, and he moved to UC Davis in 1954 when the Food Science Department was transferred. In all, he was an active member of the University of California faculty for 58 years. During that time, he published two books and hundreds of research papers and was the recipient of numerous awards, including being named as UC Davis Faculty Research Lecturer in 1969. In 1985, Phaff co-authored a definitive bibliography of viticulture and enology publications with the distinguished professor Maynard Amerine.
Although he officially retired from full-time research in 1983, Phaff maintained a very active research laboratory. He continued daily study and work on a collection of more than 6, 000 yeast strains, representing more than 400 of the 700 known yeast species - many of which are available only from his collection. The collection contains the strains Phaff collected on global expeditions throughout his research career, and also includes several hundred yeast strains collected in the 1930s by Professors Mrak and Cruess. Few microbial culture collections of this size and diversity have been collected and maintained by any institution, let alone by a single researcher. This collection is utilized by academic and industrial researchers throughout the world.
On Oct. 4, 1996, the UC Davis Department of Food Science and Technology and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences held a symposium presented in Phaff’s honor, at which The Herman J. Phaff Culture Collection: Yeasts and Yeast-Like Microorganisms was formally dedicated as an official biological collection of the University of California.
Phaff was also noted for his professional skill as a cellist and his passion for the arts and culture. He was a founding member of the Davis Comic Opera Company and the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra - playing in its inaugural concert in 1959 - and a dedicated player in chamber music groups in the Bay Area and Davis for five decades. He was chairman of the Committee for Arts and Lectures at UC Davis, and in 1960 was made an honorary member of the music department.
Phaff and his wife, Diane, shared a love of music and the arts, and the couple sponsored visiting musicians on campus, hosted performances in their home, and were longtime supporters of UC Davis Presents and other community cultural groups.
Phaff’s former wife, Marinka, who died in 1985, was also a strong supporter of the Davis community cultural scene and is well remembered for her involvement with the arts.
As a fitting bookend to his illustrious life, Phaff was awarded the College of Agricultural and Biological Sciences Award of Distinction for 2001. Sadly, notification of the award arrived only on Aug. 27. His wife will accept the award in his honor.
Phaff never stopped learning and seeking to enrich the scientific community, and the Phaff Culture Collection is the culmination of his life’s work as a scientist. The family asks that gifts in his honor be directed to the Herman J. Phaff Culture Collection, UC Davis Food Science Department, Cruess Hall, Davis, CA 95616. The culture collection is online at www.phaffcollection.org.
Phaff is survived by his wife Diane; his sister, Resina Phaff of London; his nephew, Japp Phaff and his wife Madelon and their three children, of Breda, Netherlands; his niece, Helma Phaff and her son, of Heemstede, Netherlands; his nephew, Frans Frederik Wethmar of Amsterdam, Netherlands; his stepdaughters, Kim Rowland and Correy Rowland Cavanaugh; his son-in-law, Paul Cavanaugh; and his granddaughters, Maggie and Julia Horowitz. He is also survived by his cat and two beloved terriers.
A memorial service for Phaff will be held Oct. 29 at the Alumni & Visitors Center on the UC Davis campus. His family invites all his students, colleagues and associates to attend and celebrate the life of a great scholar, teacher, musician, family man and friend.
A memorial service for Herman J. Phaff (1913-2001) will begin at 3 p.m. Monday in the AGR room at Alumni & Visitors Center on the UC Davis campus. Dr. Phaff's friends and colleagues are invited to attend.
Susan Lamb Cook will play cello with Jerome Rosen on clarinet. Peter Wehhouse, Agnes Perroud (violins), and Robert Bloch (viola) will join Cook for the Beethoven quartet. The service will be followed by a reception.
Phaff, professor emeritus of food science and technology at UC Davis, died suddenly on Aug. 24, 2001, while on vacation in the Caribbean. Dedicated, modest, possessed of an encyclopedic mind, he was a role model to many graduate students and post-doctoral associates who went on to careers in yeast taxonomy and the food industry.
Many former students plan to attend the service, coming from all points in the United States, The Netherlands, Canada, Italy and Brazil.
Phaff and his wife, Diane, shared a love of music and the arts, and the couple sponsored visiting musicians on campus, hosted performances in their home, and were longtime supporters of UC Davis Presents and other community cultural groups. Phaff's late wife, Marinka, who died in 1985, was also a strong supporter of the Davis community cultural scene and is well remembered for her involvement with the arts.
Phaff never stopped learning and seeking to enrich the scientific community, and the Phaff Yeast Culture Collection is the culmination of his life's work as a scientist. The family asks that gifts in his honor be made out to "UC Regents" and directed to the Herman J. Phaff Culture Collection, UC Davis Food Science Department, Cruess Hall, Davis, CA 95616.
PHELPS
Jerry Phelps
Long-time Sacramento resident Jerry Phelps died on Aug. 17, 2002. Born on May 1, 1940, he was 62 years old. He lived in Davis during his high school years.
On Nov. 6, 1993, he received the gift of life; a heart transplant from donor Robert Singer. In 1996, nephew Scott Phelps gave him a kidney and thereby enhanced his quality of life.
Although he fought and survived multiple surgeries through these years, a stroke of the spine on May 29 of this year left him paralyzed from the waist down. He was hospitalized and that's when "the angels arrived to take him home, " family members said.
He was preceded in death by his father George.
He was survived by his loving wife, Virira; children Troy, Wanda and Tami; sons-in-law Randy and Greg; grandchildren Justin, Brittany, Kevin Tyler, Tara and Colby; parents-in-law, Ray and Virginia; brother Don; sister Cheryl; and mother Edna.
He was an active member of vital volunteers of Golden State Donor Services and New Hearts Support group. He worked for Superior Door for many years.
A memorial service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at William Land Park. The park is at Freeport and 14th streets across from Sacramento City College. Casual attire is requested. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Jerry's Memorial Fund c/o Tami (Phelps) Mikaelsen, 8233 Whitesands Way, Sacramento, CA 95828.
PHILLIPS
Blanche Emily Phillips
Blanche Emily Phillips of Woodland died Saturday, July 13, 2002, at Alderson Convalescent Hospital at the age of 94.
Mrs. Phillips was born on Oct. 1, 1907, in Missouri. Family members reported that Mrs. Phillips devoted her life "to loving Jesus, her family and her friends."
Mrs. Phillips had been a resident of Woodland since 1938.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Katherine Phillips of Arkansas; as well as by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years Henry Phillips.
A graveside service is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, at the Woodland Cemetery on West Street.
Kraft Bros. Funeral Home of Woodland is assisting the family with arrangements.
PHILLIPS
Carolyn Yvonne Phillips
Carolyn Yvonne Phillips died at Cottonwood Healthcare in Woodland Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005, at age 59.
Mrs. Phillips was born June 30, 1946 in Ardmore, Okla. to Arthur and Nellie (Maricle) Hillmon. She attended Lorena High School in Wichita Falls, Texas. She had been a Woodland resident for five months and a Sacramento County resident for 30 years. For five years, she worked as a flight attendant.
Survivors include Mrs. Phillips' mother, Nellie Moore and her husband Gary of Kingwood, Texas; her brothers, Gary L. Hillmon of Woodland and Leonard W. Moore of Kingwood, Texas; her niece, Angela Smith; her nephew, Randy Hillmon, both of Woodland; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.
The family requests memorials in Mrs. Phillips' name be directed to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., 2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 710, Washington, D.C. 20036.
Services: A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. today, Wednesday at Woodland United Fellowship, 240 N. West St., Woodland. Evergreen Funeral Service of Woodland is assisting the family with arrangements.
PHILLIPS
Fred Phillips
Fred Phillips died at Cave Springs, Ark. Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at age 86.
Born March 29, 1917 in Benton County (Colville Township), Mr. Phillips was the son of Berlin Phillips, and Ethel Hartman Phillips. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Campaign of World War II. He raised poultry, cattle and farmed most of his life. He was a member of the Bentonville American Legion, and the First Baptist Church of Cave Springs.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Lucille Phillips of Cape Springs, Ark.; sons, Larry Phillips and wife Rosalinda of Chico, and Bruce Phillips and wife Margaret of Woodland; daughter, Marlene Sands of Cave Springs, Ark.; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Gary Lynn Phillips in 1981; grandson Wayne Sands; son-in-law, Howard Sands; and five sisters.
The family requests memorials be directed to Phillips Cemetery, 478 Shores Ave. Cave Springs, Ariz., 72718. Arrangements are under the direction of Stockdale Funeral Services of Rogers, Ariz.
Services: Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, June 16, at Phillips Cemetery, west of Cave Springs, Ark., with John Meredith officiating. There will be a gathering after the service at the home of Marlene Sands.
GORDON
Fred “Freddie” J. Gordon
Fred Gordon died at Kaiser North in Sacramento Sunday, July 17, 2005 at age 73.
Mr. Gordon was born April 4, 1932 in Smithfield, Utah to Kenneth and Vendla Gordon. He graduated from Woodland High School in 1950 and was a long-time owner of Gordon's Kentucky Grocery. In addition, he worked in construction with Dale Warren and was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Survivors include Mr. Gordon's wife of 54 years, Ruby Gordon; his children, Michael Gordon and his fiancée Michele Pizzo, Terri Sue Branigan and her husband Terry, Doug Gordon and his wife Becky, Gary Gordon and his fiancée Karen Avila and Linette Alms; 15 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; his sisters, Gloria Warren, Mary Ann Robinson and her husband David; his brother, Kerry Gordon and his wife Mikel; his sisters-in-law, Alice Gordon, Dorothy Hornbeck, Bonnie Fulton and her husband John; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Dennis Lee, Keven John, Rex Donald and Kenneth Verl Gordon; and his brothers-in-law, Dale Warren and Jerry Hornbeck.
The family requests memorials in Mr. Gordon's name be directed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or to the charity of the donor's choice.
Services: Visitation is scheduled for 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday, July 21 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Woodland Stake Center, 850 Pioneer Ave., Woodland. A funeral will follow visitation at 11 a.m. Interment will follow the funeral at Monument Hill Memorial Park. Kraft Bros. Funeral Directors of Woodland is assisting the family with arrangements.
PHILLIPS
Mrs. H. E. Phillips
MRS. PHILLIPS DIES
WOODLAND (Yolo Co.), May 9, 1913 - Word has been received here of the death of Mrs. H. E. Phillips, which occurred Thursday at Los Angeles. The body will be brought to Yolo for burial, arriving here Saturday afternoon at 4:40. The funeral will be held direct from the train. Mrs. Phillips was the mother of Mrs. D. N. BROWN, of this city. She is also survived by three other daughters and two sons.
