Sterling Ebel

October 20, 1920 ~ January 11, 2013

Sterling Fisher Ebel, 92, of Brookings, OR, passed away Jan. 9, 2013, after a short battle with extensive pneumonia. He was born Oct. 20, 1920, in Brookshire, Texas, to Fred and Jean Ebel. Sterling grew up in Brookshire except for a short stay in San Marcos, Texas, while his mother earned her teaching certificate. He had one brother, Fred Jr. His parents and brother preceded him in death. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing and various sports, especially baseball and track and field. His hobbies included collecting firearms, cooking, reading, classical music and singing. After graduating from Katy (Texas) High School in 1938, he did some carpentry work. In 1940 he moved to Southern California and worked for Lockheed Aircraft as a general assembly supervisor. Sterling was drafted and joined the U.S. Navy in 1944. Because of his training at Lockheed, he worked as an aviator metalsmith and was stationed at Norman, Okla. During his two years in the Navy, he also sang for different chaplains. In 1945 he married Marguerite Green. They had one daughter.

Sterling earned a bachelor's degree in music (voice) at the University of Oklahoma in 1950. He then returned to Southern California where he earned a master's degree in music (voice) at the University of Southern California (USC) in 1951. His dream was to sing opera professionally, but his work path eventually took him in a different direction.

Sterling worked as the assistant to the Dean of the School of Music at USC and later as the assistant to the Dean of Admissions. In 1955 he began working for Stephens College, a private women's college in Missouri, as an admissions recruiter. Beginning in 1965 he was employed by The American College Testing Program.

When transferred to Portland, he met Dolores "Dee" Yount. They married Aug. 6, 1966. Work took them back to California, and he became an admissions counselor at California State University Sacramento (CSUS) in 1970. While at Sacramento State he volunteered as a crisis-line counselor. He enjoyed advising and counseling students to help them succeed in life. He retired in 1990 on his 70th birthday.

Sterling placed his personal faith in Jesus Christ as his savior in 1975. His philosophy was "things go better with God." He often wore a lapel pin that said, "Try God."

After retirement, Sterling and Dee moved to Brookings. They soon settled in the Brookings Presbyterian Church as their spiritual home. As his physical condition began to decline, he was moved to Ocean Park, an assisted living facility, where he spent the remainder of his years.

He is survived by the two people he loved "totally and completely" — Dee, his wife of 46 years and Sydne Marie, his only daughter who resides in Colorado Springs, Colo. Also surviving are his sister-in-law Lois Ebel of Lancaster, Calif.; two nephews and nieces, and their respective families in various locations in California.

Julie Claire Hanretty

January 30, 1950 ~ January 18, 2013

Julie Claire Hanretty took her last breath on this earth, surrounded by the laughter of her family and was carried by our Lord into eternal life on January 18, 2013, after living with ovarian cancer for the past 3 1/2 years. She was a lifelong resident of Sacramento who attended All Hallows grammar school, St. Francis High School and Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. She worked for the Sacramento County Public Defender's office where she had the distinction of being the first female criminal investigator in Sacramento County. She also was an associate professor of Criminal Justice at Sacramento State University.

She served in many capacities during her lifetime including the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 61, California Defense Investigators Association, St. Anthony's Church, St. Ignatius of Loyola Church, Families First and the Sacramento Food Bank.

Her love of her family was her greatest passion. She was predeceased by her parents Peter Thomas Hanretty, Sr., Ada Giannoni Hanretty, and her brother Peter Thomas Hanretty, Jr. She is survived by her brother John Hanretty (Karen), her sister Theresa Anderson (David), her cousin Mack Whipple (Sharon) and her nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Remembrances in her honor may be made to St. Jude's hospital.

Ilene Conrad Muller

July 10, 1927 ~ February 9, 2013

Ilene Conrad Muller was born on July 10, 1927, to Floyd and Blanche Ditzler on their farm in Octavia, Nebraska. She passed away on February 9, 2013. She married Richard Conrad and lived in Schuyler, Nebraska where she had five children, Cynthia, Mark, Christopher (Kit), Jennifer, and Jacqueline. She was a resident of California for over 50 years. She married Wayne Muller in 1998 and they created a wonderful life together and loved each other tremendously. She was immensely loved by family and many friends and returned that love. She worked for many years within the California State University system at Chico State and Sacramento State. She was a devout follower of Jesus Christ throughout her whole life and was a true warrior when it came to overcoming numerous health issues. She thoroughly enjoyed her 85 years of life. She was preceded in death by her children Mark and Jacqueline; her parents, Floyd and Blanche Ditzler; and her brother Marlo Ditzler. She is survived by her sister Clea Meyers; her children Cynthia Jackson, Kit Conrad (wife Lory), and Jennifer Schwenk (husband Kurt); her nieces Jean Green and Jan Krueger; her stepchildren Ann Elise Muller (husband Robert Fisher) and Philip Muller; her grandchildren Amanda (Schwenk) Broggie (husband Dave), Benjamin Conrad, Jesse Schwenk, Kimberly (Conrad) Paiva (husband Renato), and Jacob and Max Muller; her great grandchildren Abbigail Gracie Schwenk and Marina and Alana Paiva.

Wayne H. Maeda

July 10, 1927 ~ February 9, 2013

Wayne Maeda, 65, passed away in Sacramento on Feb. 27, 2013. Born on Aug. 26, 1947 in Dayton, Ohio, he retired in 2011 after teaching 40 years at CSU Sacramento. He also taught at UC Davis and Sacramento City College. One of the founding faculty of the CSUS Ethnic Studies Program, he curated the 1992 Sacramento History Museum exhibit, "Continuing Traditions: Japanese Americans, Story of a People, 1869-1992," and authored "Changing Dreams and Treasured Memories: A Story of Japanese Americans in the Sacramento Region" (2000). He was a current and former board member of the CSUS Japanese American Archival Collection Advisory Board, the National Japanese American Historical Society, Jan Ken Po Gakko, Wakamatsu Gold Hill Colony Foundation and the Nichi Bei Foundation. Predeceased by parents Masao and Ayako Maeda. Wife Lorrie Toohey passed away on March 2, 2013. Survived by daughters Yumiko Maeda (Carly Tan) of San Mateo, Calif. and Sachie Maeda of Torrance, Calif.; and ex-wife Elaine (Matsumoto) Maeda of Sacramento. Surviving siblings are Catherine H. Maeda and Ralph S. Maeda.

Richard E Fauber

March 22, 1936 ~ March 2, 2013

Sacramento State College, Instructor, Spring 1965; BA University of Wisconsin, MA University of California, Berkeley, pursing advanced study in economic history at Wisconsin. On History staff through the 1971 academic year; thereafter taught part-time intermittently. Alongside his study of history and economics, he was passionate about playing, studying and teaching chess. An excellent player, he reached Master status (over 2200 points on the Elo System) in the 1970s. He wrote a chess column for the Sacramento Bee from November 14, 1971 through 1989, each with an annotated game and comments. At that time, an interest in chess in the U. S. was sparked by the emergence of the incomparable Bobby Fischer who, in 1972, became world champion and the greatest Grand Master with an unprecedented rating of 2785 points.

Fauber published The Impact of Genius: 500 years of Grandmaster Chess in 1992. In it he tells the story of the greatest players in the modern era and places chess in the context of the evolution of culture in Europe and America. The book with its unique format was very well-received. It is out of print, but new and used copies are offered on Amazon from $44 to $140 depending on condition.

Fauber had several notable maxims to help his chess pupils understand the game and improve their play: one was “the mistakes are all there on the board waiting to be made”; another was “things are often what they appear to be”; and, another most instructive when he perceived a reckless gleam in a pupil’s eye “… don’t get any ideas!”

Fauber regularly attended Chamber Music concerts at Sacramento State; he was very interested in classical musical, opera and literature – he was an aspiring novelist, in politics – he was a lifelong Democrat, in wine – he was an experienced connoisseur, and in American capitalism. He supported his family for years as a self employed professional investor in the stock market with a particular affinity for – and considerable success – with puts and calls (which he would patiently explain to an uncomprehending audience.)

He was cultured, witty, outspoken and surprisingly knowledgeable on a broad range of subjects. He liked his dogs, his Porsche and the Green Bay Packers. He was an “unforgettable character” and will be missed.

He died of a heart attack on Saturday morning, March 2. He is survived by his wife, Joan, and a son from a previous marriage, Bennett; no services are planned.

(Frank Garosi, principal author; additional research by Gregg Campbell; primary information from Bob Long. For further information contact Garosi@csus.edu)

Rosella "Suzy" Fenton

December 21, 1923 ~ March 15, 2013

Suzy was born in Jersey City, NJ, on December 21, 1923. She died on March 15, 2013 in Carmichael, CA from a stroke. She is survived by her loving husband, Wayne Fenton, and their three children, daughter, Pennie Fenton Hink and her fiance, Brian Kelley, son, Dr. Wayne Fenton, Jr., his wife, Jeanne, and their two sons, Timothy and Christopher and his fiance, Karen Fong, son, Ronald Fenton and his wife, Jennifer Crotteau; niece, Alice Davis-Kelly, and several other nieces and nephews in the New Jersey area.
Suzy attended Teachers College in Jersey City, NJ, and in 1942 was recruited into the Curtis Wright Women's Engineering Program at Penn State University. Upon completion of this program, Suzy worked at Curtis Wright in Buffalo, NY. In 1944, Suzy enlisted as a Navy WAVE, serving 3 years during WW II as a Link Trainer operator training Navy pilots in instrument flying. She achieved the rank of Petty Officer, First Class. After her active duty, she got her civilian pilot's license. Suzy returned to Penn State University to continue her education, where she met a special classmate, Wayne. They both earned their B.S. degrees in Aeronautical Engineering in 1949, and were married in February, 1950 in Ann Arbor, MI. When Suzy started her family in 1952, she was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserve, which was protocol at that time.
In 1955, Suzy and Wayne moved their young family to Sacramento. She taught classes in the California State University, Sacramento, Physics Department, for 38 years. After her retirement, Suzy established an endowment which awards an annual monetary award to an outstanding physics major student.
Suzy was a loving wife and devoted mother. She was an avid reader, loved traveling, and crossword puzzles. Suzy was in the first docent class of the Sacramento Railroad Museum and continued to volunteer there for 20 years. She was one of the founders of the Stunt of the Month Club, friends who have met regularly for over 50 years. Suzy was also a life long Nittany Lion fan.

Alice Cain

December 21, 1923 ~ March 15, 2013

Alice Cain, 73, a 55 year resident of Sacramento, passed away Friday morning, March 1 from complications related to pneumonia. Alice was born to the late Donald and Alice Allen of Spokane, WA in 1939. She married her college sweetheart, Lew Cain, in 1958. She is survived by husband, Lew, her brother Don Allen and wife Carolyn, three children Jeff Cain, Allison Gabbert and husband Jeff, Derek Cain and wife Kelly, and nine grandchildren. Alice worked in offices in the San Juan and Grant school districts before accepting a secretarial position in the Department of Criminal Justice and then as the administrative assistant in the Foreign Language Department at CSUS until her retirement in 1997. Alice loved to write poetry, was an avid seamstress, gourmet cook, and creative "carder"especially her Christmas cards. She enjoyed relaxing on their boat at the Sacramento Yacht Club, traveling, making handmade blankets, volunteering for many years in the member's lounge for the Broadway Series and the Music Circus, and her favorite pastimeutilizing her Harrah's Diamond Card.

Edgar H. Kolstad

September 9, 1920 ~ April 4, 2013

Ed, Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa led a full life. He was married 64 years, served in the Navy as air-flight controller and aircraft mechanic. He earned a B.S. from University of Utah in Mechanical Engineering. He worked at US Steel in Utah, moved to California in 1961 to work for McDonnel Douglas on the Apollo project as a rocket test engineer, and retired from Sacramento State University teaching mechanical Engineering. He was involved in many organization to support the community such as Shriners, Friends of Macular Degeneration and faithful to his church. He gave to many charities and had a big heart full of compassion. Ed loved his family and his wife. He took amazing care of his wife while she suffered diabetes and blindness. They traveled together many years in their motor home. He loved to fish, golf, and wasn't afraid to experience new things. Ed was independent and capable until the end when he fell and broke his hip. He missed his wife dearly, she just passed away February 15. He is survived by sister, Joan Healy, Utah; son, Brent Kolstad, Texas; son, Bruce Kolstad, CA.; daughter, Peggy and James Jones, CA; Four grandsons, two granddaughters, five great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

Marion Vogel

November 7, 1927 ~ May 12, 2013

Born November 7, 1927, in Jamestown, NY, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2013 in Roseville, CA. Marion is survived by her husband of 37 years John Vogel; son James Harmon (Deborah); daughter Judy Leamy; and step children Nancy Littlefield (Don), Marcia Piper, David Vogel (Susan), and Scott Vogel. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Marion worked at CSU, Sacramento in the Purchasing Department for 31 years, retiring in 1984. For many years after retirement Marion enjoyed making porcelain dolls, doll clothing and traveling with John. Marion was always very generous and caring of her family. Her family will miss her.

Jo Lonam

October 16, 1931 ~ May 12, 2013

Jo A. Lonam, a world traveler and scholar who helped establish interior design as a field of study at California State University, Sacramento, died May 12 of cancer, friends said. She was 81. With a refined taste and love of art, Ms. Lonam was instrumental in elevating interior design from a home economics course – like cooking or sewing – to a separate bachelor's degree program at CSUS. She joined the faculty in 1966 and was a professor for 28 years.

"She was the founding mother of the interior design program," said Lee Anderson, a retired design professor and chairman. "She wrote the courses and put everything together for the department."

Ms. Lonam spent two years as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and represented CSUS as a member of the statewide California State University Academic Senate. Friends said she retired in 1994 but taught courses in Asian and American design part time as a professor emeritus.

"She was very student-oriented and a very hard worker," Anderson said. "She influenced so many students working in design today."

Ms. Lonam, who was particularly interested in Asian art and culture, traveled widely for pleasure and academic study. Besides many trips to Japan, she visited Turkey, Jordan, Thailand and Burma and countries in Europe.

With CSUS professor Lee Kavaljian, she led local teachers on research trips to India and China funded by the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad program of the U.S. Department of Education.

She collected Chinese papercuts, a folk art, which she exhibited in lectures and a showing at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco.
"She was always interested in art and wanted to pursue an advanced degree in art history," Kavaljian said. "But she didn't because she had to take care of her mother."

Born Oct. 16, 1931, in Iowa, Ms. Lonam grew up in Santa Barbara and earned a home economics degree from UC Santa Barbara. She earned a master's degree from Columbia University and a master's degree in art history from the East-West Center at University of Hawaii. She taught at California State University, Chico, before moving to Sacramento.

Ms. Lonam, who was not married and had no children or other immediate survivors, pursued many cultural and community interests with close friends.

Besides visiting museums and attending Berkeley Repertory Theatre, she volunteered at the Sacramento State library and evaluated artworks donated to the American Cancer Society's Discovery Shop.

She served as president of the Sacramento Center for Textile Arts and secretary for the Sacramento State Emeritus Association."She was very likable," Kavaljian said. "She dressed well and kept her home well. She had high standards – not showy, but there was always some level of elegance."

Leonard Kennedy

June 22, 1925 ~ May 29, 2013

Our husband and father, Leonard Kennedy, passed away May 29. He is survived by wife Mary and daughters Beverley Van Santen and Tricia Carlson. Leonard was born in Beaverton OR, June 22, 1925, graduated from La Grande Or High School, served in the Navy during WWII. He was a Professor of Education at Sac State until 1982. After retirement, Leonard volunteered for the American Heart Association, Sacramento Airport and Sacramento Railroad Museum. Services for Leonard will be held at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, June 10, 2 pm. A celebration his life will be following services at 8408 Grinnell Way, Sacramento. Family requests donations in his memory to the Sacramento Railroad Museum Foundation in lieu of flowers.

Victoria Jew

Died June 9, 2013

Our colleague Professor Emeritus Dr. Victoria Jew, College of Education, Bilingual/Bicultural Department, died on June 9th.
From Sharon Alexander

Sid Inglis

October 14, 1927 ~ June 13, 2013

With sadness, the family of Dr. Sidney Inglis announces his passing after a lengthy battle with several illnesses. Sid passed away peacefully at the Orangevale home that he and his loving wife Arlene created and enjoyed for many years. Sid is survived by Arlene, his wife of 47 years, sons John Green (Marti), and Kevin Green (Sue), daughter Debbie Green (Terry), sister Patricia Newton (Erle), 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Elizabeth Inglis Hummel. He will be missed by his family and by the many friends he and Arlene loved throughout their personal and professional lives.

Sid was born in Seattle, WA and grew up in the Bay Area. After graduating from El Cerrito High School he enlisted in the United States Army at age 17 near the end of WWII and served in the National Guard. He went on to acquire numerous diplomas, credentials and certificates in a remarkable career in education, including a B.A. in English and History from UC Berkeley, an M.A. in Educational Administration and Pupil Personnel Services from CSU Sacramento, and a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Politics and Policy-Making from UC Berkeley.

Sid's career in education began in 1952 as a seventh-grade teacher at Arden School in the San Juan Unified School District and ended when he retired in 2009 as a member of the faculty at CSU Sacramento. His professional resume lists 16 different teaching, administrative leadership and consulting positions. He was a teacher and administrator in the San Juan Unified School District from 1952-72 and administrator at CSUS 1972-74. Sid served for 14 years as a Staff Consultant with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, from 1974-88, then served as a part-time faculty member at CSUS until he retired in 2009 at age 80. Sid was a published author of several articles that focused on educational policy issues and testified before various California legislative committees. He also invested in and developed commercial and residential properties in the Sacramento and Roseville areas.

Sid worked as a volunteer in a variety of capacities to the benefit of many civic and governmental agencies in the greater Sacramento area. Notably, he was a member of the Sacramento County Policy Planning Commission from 1997 to 2003; a member of the Orangevale Community Planning Advisory Council from 1989 to 1992; a member of the Sacramento City/County Human Rights Commission from 1981 to 1986; and a member of the Sacramento County Parks and Recreation Commission from 1973 to 1981. Sid was also a member of numerous Chamber of Commerce affiliated organizations and committees and was active in the political campaigns of several local elected leaders.

Sid was an avid outdoorsman and fly fisherman throughout his life and loved his hiking trips to the Marble Mountains Wilderness Area. He often travelled to Alaska to fly fish for salmon. He travelled extensively with Arlene around the world. Earlier in his life, Sid and Arlene took advantage of his private pilots license and travelled by small airplane to many locations in the western U.S. Sid and Arlene created a unique landscape on their two and a half acres of land in Orangevale that capture the distinct habitats found in California and was featured in stories in the Sacramento Bee. Sid's wildlife and landscape photographs were mounted and displayed throughout their home. Their annual Christmas parties and July 4th events were regularly attended by their numerous friends and family.

Sid was always quick to share stories, experiences and perspectives he gained through a remarkably active, rich and giving life. He sought out challenges, both physical and intellectual and befriended people who were similarly motivated. He will be missed by us all.

David Bressler

September 7, 1923 ~ June 14, 2013

David Wilson Bressler was born in San Francisco on 7 Sept. 1923, the 1st of 3 children born to David and Marguerite Bressler. He attended Polytechnic High School, graduating in 1940, and then hopped a freighter to China. He enlisted in the Coast Guard immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, operating a landing craft on the troop carrier USS Leonard Wood for the entire war, serving in the European theater, North Africa, and the Pacific. He was honorably discharged in San Francisco in October, 1945. He married Corrinne Roosman in 1949. The G.I. Bill enabled him to work toward an advanced degree; he received a PhD in mathematics from UC Berkley in 1957. He taught at the University of British Columbia for 14 years, 1 year at Tufts University in Boston, and 5 years at the Istituto di Matematica in Florence, Italy. He moved his family to Davis, California in 1978, and taught at Sacramento State University. During this time, he received a Third Mate Deck Officer's License, with which he made two 3-month voyages, one of them around the world. Proximity to the San Francisco Bay allowed the family to maintain a boat there, the more than 100 year old 45' gaff rig sloop Polaris, from which he derived much pleasure. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, his daughters Anne and Elsa, grandson Medric, sister-in-law Patricia Bressler, son-in-law Norman Riley, nieces Linda, Wendy, and Cindy, nephews David, Robert and Rodney and their respective children. "A wonderful family," he said often.

Irving Herman

June 6, 1920 ~ July 4, 2013

Irving Leonard Herman passed away peacefully on July 4th, 2013 at the age of 93, surrounded by his loving family. Irving was born on June 6, 1920 in Seattle, Washington where he was also raised. He graduated magna cum laude from University of Washington in 1942. It was there that he met his wife, Jeanne, with whom he shared his life for almost 67 years. During World War II Irving served in the US Army with the 32nd Infantry Division and subsequently worked under General MacArthur in the South Pacific. Shortly after the war, he obtained his Ph.D. in Industrial Psychology from Stanford University and later joined Aerojet General Corporation where he became Director of Training. During his tenure at Aerojet, Irving was involved with the development of the Polaris and the Minuteman solid rocket motor programs.
In 1969 Irving became a professor of Human Resources Management in the School of Business Administration at CSUS. Later he was appointed Dept. Chairman and obtained Professor Emeritus status after 26 years. During his tenure at the University, he garnered numerous awards for his teaching excellence and tireless devotion to his students.
Although he loved his students and teaching, Irving was happiest when spending time with his family. He taught by example, gently guiding all who were lucky enough to know him. His purpose in life was to help others at every opportunity. Irving led a life guided by faith and kindness to all, and his memory will be forever cherished by his loved ones.
Irving is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his children, Michelle (Richard) Ferkel and Debbie (Tad) Shapiro. He also leaves his grandchildren, Eric (Rachel) Ferkel, Amy (Derek) Ishaque, Megan (Greg) Earhart and Barry Shapiro. Additional family include his nephew, Jeffrey (Irit) Winston and his family and his nieces, Lynn Catania, Joan (Alan) Epstein and Julia Winston.

Donna Brougher

February 17, 1937 ~ September 19, 2013

Donna Marlene Brougher passed away peacefully Thursday September 19, 2013, in her home in El Dorado Hills, at the age of 76. Donna Marlene was born in San Bernardino, California on February 17, 1937. The youngest of Orville and Elaine Potter's four childrenl. Shortly after high school, she met the love of her life, Earl Brougher and they wed on April 7, 1956. Married for over 40 years, Donna and Earl had three children, Teresa, Robert and Diane. In 1964, the family moved to Rancho Cordova where Donna began taking courses at Sacramento State University and later went on to earn her teaching credential. In 1975, after her children were grown, Donna found herself working for Sacramento State University where she would work until she retired in 2000. During that time, Donna and Earl built their dream home in El Dorado Hills where Donna was actively engaged in the community. Her heart led her to Foothills United Methodist Church where she attended and volunteered countless numbers of hours. Additionally, she volunteered with Snowline Hospice, Food Bank of El Dorado County, Friends of the Library, S.I.R.S., Sigma Lambda Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and El Dorado Rose Court. Now joined with her true love Earl and rejoicing with the angels, Donna leaves behind her daughters Teresa Dean and Diane Eisenhour along with her son Robert Brougher; eight grandchildren, Lisa, Janet, Eugene, Wayne, Allison, Chip, Kyle and Cassie and four great-grandchildren, Olivia, Noah, Jack and Mabel.

Jose Montoya

May 28, 1932 ~ September 25, 2013

Jose Montoya, one of the most influential and inspirational figures in California Latino history, died Wednesday surrounded by family in his midtown Sacramento home. He was 81.

As a boy, Montoya picked grapes with his family in Delano and Fowler in the blistering Central Valley heat. He vowed that farm work would not be his destiny, and instead became an artist and poet whose work galvanized the Chicano movement in the 1960s and '70s. One of Sacramento's poet laureates, Montoya was co-founder of the Royal Chicano Air Force, a collection of artists-turned-activists who used their words, music and images to fight for justice and equality for farmworkers and other marginalized Americans.

His colorful, expressive paintings with bold strokes have been shown worldwide. His poetry mixed English, Spanish and barrio slang, exploring themes of struggle and injustice.

"With the passing of Jose Montoya, our community lost a gentle soul with an extraordinarily creative mind," said Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna, whose late father, Mayor Joe Serna, launched his political career with Montoya's guidance. "His poems gave us cause to reconsider our individual and cultural condition, called us to action when needed. He taught me respect for art as well as public service – his beautiful words crafted to make us think, feel and act with conviction will live on."

The son of farmworker champion Cesar Chavez, Paul F. Chavez, and United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez said in a joint statement, "We will always cherish Jose for how he inspired us as well as so many others through his art. But we will also remember him for the countless times when he walked picket lines, helped organize UFW events and fed the farmworkers during every major strike, boycott and political campaign. He was truly a servant of the farmworker movement and we will always be in his debt."

Montoya touched the lives of thousands of students during his 27 years as a professor of art, photography and education at California State University, Sacramento, along with high school and junior college students at Leland High School in Wheatland and at Yuba Community College.

"Jose taught us how to be bold, how to be courageous, how to be clear, how to be strong and that example empowered many people, generations of farmworkers who were subjugated and oppressed," said Juan Carrillo, former director of the California State Arts Council, who helped Montoya co-found the RCAF. "In 1967, there was no Latino caucus in the Legislature, no Latino political presence and Jose Montoya absolutely helped politicize Latinos."

Montoya died Wednesday from a large lymphoma around his aorta in his home on D Street, said the oldest of his eight children, Gina Montoya, who, like her father, is an activist.

At the end, he would roll his eyes and say, "Get the horses, I have to get into the sun," and was also talking to his older brother and mother in the spirit world, Gina Montoya said.

Jose Montoya was born May 28, 1932, in Escobosa, New Mexico. In a 1998 interview with The Sacramento Bee, he recalled how his mother stenciled the interiors of homes and churches. "We helped grind colors and mix them. We made stencils from discarded inner tubes and gathered colorants from creek beds. I remember chasing horseflies for her. She would dry them and grind their tails and mix them with egg yolk to produce an iridescent blue color that she was known for.

"Later, when I was a student at the California College of Arts and Crafts, I learned about egg tempera. It was the same thing."

His family eventually came to the Central Valley looking for work and moved from Delano – where the United Farm Workers movement was born – to Fowler, 10 miles south of Fresno. He played football and served as art editor of the yearbook and was a big man on campus at Fowler High School, his daughter said. While picking grapes, he began drawing on the paper used to dry grapes into raisins.

He joined the Navy during the Korean War, then went to San Diego City College on the G.I. Bill and moved to the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland to get his teaching credential. He taught art at Wheatland High School and Yuba Community College.

In 1969, he and other Latino educators were invited to get their master's degrees through the Mexican American Education Project at California State University, Sacramento. There, he and several other sons of migrant farmworkers formed the Royal Chicano Air Force, an artists' collective committed to supporting the UFW while bringing art to the people.

Originally named the Rebel Chicano Art Front, its initials led people to believe they were part of the Royal Canadian Air Force. "I said we're not Canadians, we're Chicanos, but we have an air force, we fly adobe airplanes," Jose Montoya once said. "We wanted to be outrageous, we didn't want to be boring so we now had an air force we could incorporate into the movement, which was about boycotting Safeway" to keep the chain from selling table grapes until farmworkers' conditions improved. "We would show up to Safeway dressed in Air Force uniforms and driving a World War II jeep," which got the media's attention, Montoya said.

Montoya and his fellow artists used Joe Serna's garage to make silk- screen posters, and drafted their kids to picket every weekend. They helped Manuel Ferrales become one of the first Latinos elected to the Sacramento City Council, Gina Montoya said.

During the Vietnam War, Montoya noticed it was poor students or students of color who were getting drafted, so he would put on the Rolling Stones "and blast it so loud because he was crying and didn't want us kids to hear him," his daughter recalled. "When I saw him over the stereo, just crying, it moved me, and I made my first protest sign in sixth grade and got sent to the principal's office."

Jose Montoya became an organizer for the UFW throughout the Central Valley and spent every single Friday and Saturday on the picket line. "He held farmworkers deep in his heart and agonized over the excruciating work they did," Gina Montoya said. Once, while her dad was playing golf, next to a field, he saw a farm labor contractor chastising some workers, and threw down his golf club, jumped the fence and interceded. "He told them, 'You have rights, you don't have to take that,' and then he realized, what rights do they have?" she said.

Montoya went on to mentor two generations of artists and activists at Sacramento State, where he taught art and ethnic studies for 27 years.

"Jose Montoya made tremendous contributions to the intellectual, cultural and social fabric of our nation, and I will always appreciate the many opportunities he created for students as a Sacramento State professor," said CSUS President Alexander Gonzalez. "He made Chicano art and culture accessible to millions of people during a transformative time in California's history."

A tall, handsome hipster, Montoya celebrated the zoot-suit era of the 1940s, when he and other pachucos wore suits with high-waisted, wide-legged, tight-cuffed, pants and a long coat with padded shoulders and wide lapels. He put people at ease with his good humor and genuine interest in their lives, and channeled his passion in poetry, murals and song.

Around 1970, Montoya and the RCAF opened a community center on 32nd Street and Folsom Boulevard in east Sacramento, where they put on plays and music and offered silk screening and mural training. "Because my dad was such an extrovert and good at so many things he was just a natural leader, people looked to him for leadership and advice," Gina Montoya said. "He'd always say to me, `you have gifts, but stay humble.' That was a very important message for him. When asked his greatest accomplishment, he'd say, "my kids."

His children have carried on his legacy of art and activism: Gina Montoya is now vice president of community education for the Mexican American Leadership Defense and Education League, a civil rights organization that's taken cases to the U.S. Supreme Court. Jose Montoya Jr. is an award-winning poet and writer who founded Poetry Unplugged at Luna's Cafe. Carlos Montoya is founder, chairman and CEO of Aztec America Bank of Chicago. Richard Montoya is a filmmaker and playwright. Malaquias Montoya is also an executive for Aztec America. Vincent Montoya is an award-winning musician and co-founder of the two bands, Tattooed Love Dogs and Seventy. Tomas Montoya is a student at the Art Institute of Sacramento; Qianjin Montoya is a children's art studio manager.

Montoya is also survived by Mary Ellen Montoya, his first wife; his second wife, Juanita Jue, who brought her daughter Maya into the family; 19 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

John Maykovich

Died October 9, 2013

John J. Maykovich, a longtime fixture in the Mathematics Department at CSU, Sacramento, passed away on October 9th at the age of 82. At the time of his passing he was residing in a senior care facility in Carmichael. Mr. Maykovich dedicated his life to education and the teaching of others. He obtained his B.S. degree in Mathematics and Physics from the St. Procopius College of Chicago, Ill. in 1952. He then entered military service and received a diploma from the Army Language School as a Russian Language Interpreter. After serving in the military intelligence branch of the Army in Frankfurt, Germany, he returned to the states to continue his education.

Mr. Maykovich received his M.A. in Mathematics from San Jose State College in 1964. He subsequently entered the doctoral program at the University of California at Berkeley, obtaining his Ph.D. in Mathematics Education in 1966. While working on his doctorate, he taught graduate classes in mathematics and statistics at Humboldt State College and at Holy Names College in Oakland, CA. Mr. Maykovich was also a consultant for the Lockheed Missiles & Space Company for many years as a specialist in operations research and applied probability.

Mr. Maykovich married Minako Kurokawa in December of 1968. The two were at each others side until her passing in 2007. They had no children. He is survived by his two nieces, Barbara Jorgensen and Beverly Curtis. Both of San Antonio, TX.

Mr. Maykovich began his tenure as a professor of mathematics at CSU, Sacramento in 1969 and went on to teach thousands of students over the next 25 years. During part of his tenure he headed the university's graduate program in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. He retired from CSUS in 1994.

Joachim "Goldy" Goldsmith

Died October 13, 2013

Joachim "Goldy" Goldsmith - beloved husband, father, brother, zaydeh, Sac State professor of Criminal Justice, and neighborhood consiglieri - died on October 13 of leukemia. A memorial service will be held at Temple B'nai Israel on Sunday, October 20, at 1:30pm. To honor his life of providing for those in need, attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for donation to the Central Downtown Food Basket. Born in 1942 to Holocaust refugees, Goldy was in foster homes at age four, orphaned at eleven, and landed at the Milton Hershey School, an orphanage for boys. Despite a childhood spent in want of love and support, Goldy created a loving and nurturing home with Janet, his wife of 42 years, for their three children. His positive influence extended to the countless students he advised, the young people he mentored, and so many more. During his time at UC Davis Law School he launched a voter registration drive that ultimately won students a voice in city and county politics. At Sac State, Goldy initiated the degree program in Fire Service Management. He established an external degree program for California law enforcement and correctional officers to take college courses where they worked, from Santa Maria to Sacramento, allowing them to achieve a higher level of professionalism and benefitting the communities they served. Goldy passed away surrounded by his family, and will live on through the lives he has touched and good works he has done.

Ordell Calkins

March 12, 1925 ~ November 2, 2013

The world lost a dearly loved husband, good father, and extraordinary grandfather on November 2, 2013, in Roseville, California. Delbert Ordell Calkins was born in College Place, Washington, on March 12, 1925, to Clare and Myrtle Calkins. Ordell proudly served his country in the Army of the United States in World War II, receiving the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Victory Medal. Ordell received his BS in Business from Walla Walla University in Washington where he met his wife, Margaret. They were married on June 20, 1948, in Portland, Oregon. After serving as missionaries in India, Ordell and Margaret lived in Loma Linda and Angwin, California, before moving to Orangevale where Ordell was a professor of finance at California State University Sacramento. Ordell received two masters degrees in areas of business, and then went on to receive a doctorate, DBA, from the University of Southern California. Ordell enjoyed stamp collecting, coin collecting, and reading, discussing, and debating history, politics, and religion. Ordell helped found the Citrus Heights Seventh-day Adventist church before joining the Orangevale Seventh-day Adventist church where he remained active. In addition to spending time with his many friends and extended family, Ordell's greatest joy was mentoring and caring for his grandchildren, Addy and Jake, who he lovingly cared for with Margaret during their childhood when their parents were at work. Ordell was predeceased by Margaret last Thanksgiving Day 2012, and when the pillow was tucked behind him last weekend in bed, he said, 'That feels just like Mama is here. I can't wait to be with her.' Ordell is lovingly survived by his children, daughter Dr. Beverly Calkins, son Merle Calkins, and son Duane (Karen) Calkins. Ordell leaves behind his grandchildren, Addy and Jake, who called him 'Papa,' and whose wisdom and knowledge of the world were shaped by his inspirations. In addition, Ordell is survived by his brother, Francis. He was predeceased by his brother Don and sister, Margaret. A host of friends and extended family also survive him.

Kathleen Dunham

July 1, 1952 ~ November 23, 2013

Kathy left us to be with the lord far to soon succumbing to breast cancer on November 23rd. Beloved daughter of Virginia Reckers, loving wife to husband of 33 years Gary, loving mother of Chris (Michelle), Dawn (Don), and Garrett (Shannon) and devoted grandma to her seven precious grandchildren: Christopher, Brandon, Isiah, Anissa, Rykert, EJ, and Victoria. She is also survived by her sister Karen Buckley (Terry), and brothers Tim Reckers and Matt Reckers (Kim). She was predeceased by her father Norm Reckers and brother Tom Reckers. After a 30 year career at CSUS Kathy retired in 2007 and enjoyed retirement traveling around the country in her RV, visiting over 30 states. However, her true love was spending quality time with family and she was particularly proud of and loved spending time with her grandchildren. Kathy was hostess/cook for family gatherings for most holidays and other get togethers and thoroughly enjoyed having family outings. She will be remembered for her contagious laugh, friendly nature and for being a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. Kathy was born July 1, 1952 in Chicago, grew up in Rancho Cordova, and lived in Folsom since 1979. Services will be on Tuesday December 10th at 2pm at the Miller Funeral Home in Folsom. There will be a gathering at Gary and Kathy's house in Folsom immediately following the service. Kathy will be deeply missed by family and friends and her love and her smile will never be forgotten. Remembrances to the Sacramento Food Bank or the charity of your choosing.

Yea tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Psalms 23:4.

Cindy Hester

November 28, 1960 ~ December 14, 2013

Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin on November 28th, 1960 Cindy (Rosenfelder) Hester passed peacefully in Sacramento on December 14, 2013 holding her son Patrick's hand as she transitioned from this world surrounded in love by her mother, Phyllis Rosenfelder, her children Patrick and Joey Hester, her long-time soul mate Bob Hausch, her sisters Wendy Hausch and Lynn Hester, Lynn's husband Danny, and her nephew John Hausch. Cindy is also survived by her brother Howie Rosenfelder and Phillip Cruz.
Cindy grew up living near her many aunts, uncles, and cousins in Waukesha and was active member of the Silhouettes Color Guard and Drill Team for many years. Moving West with her family as a teen Cindy marched with the Blue Devil's Drum and Bugle Corp, winning a national championship titles with both those organizations. Cindy was known as a loving spirit who will be remembered as the quintessential, classic mother and homemaker. Her two boys were her greatest loves in life. She was an enthusiastic cook and home decorator, no one left her home without gaining a few pounds from being endlessly fed and mothered, and she took great pride in decorating her home to make it a loving and inviting place for her family and friends. She carried that same enthusiasm for order and perfection to her work at both Cal State San Bernardino and later at Sacramento State University where she developed many deep and lasting friendships. Cindy will be remembered most as that Midwestern girl who moved to the West Coast bringing the spirit and nostalgia of mid-west values and living with her. She was always concerned for others and looked to lend a hand to everyone she met. Her deep sense of family, love, and care for others along with her enthusiasm, quirks, and giving heart will be deeply missed by all.
Cindy is also survived by many nieces, nephews and a large extended family as well as many friends.

Patricia Ann Stapleton

Died December 11, 2013

Pat Stapleton died unexpectedly at the age of 80 on December 11, 2013, in the assisted living facility in which she resided in Springfield, Oregon, having been in decline with Alzheimer's for several years. Pat was born and raised in Kansas City, MO, the daughter of B.W. and Alice McDaniel. She was a graduate of Central High School and Central Missouri State College (1955) before attaining a MA in Education and MFA from the University of Missouri, Columbia, while also teaching art in various high schools and eventually as Professor of Art at Central College, Fayette, MO. Pat was married to John Stapleton from 1956-1979, and is survived by her children Ann Brydon (Bob), Amy (Andy), John (Tiffany), grandson Sean Stapleton and brother Jerry McDaniel. Following a stint at the Medical Center at the University of Missouri, Pat moved to Sacramento in the mid-1980s, where she served in staff positions at UC Davis, and ultimately at Sacramento State where she was the secretary in the Department of Art. She was artistic to her fingertips, especially with watercolor, and she also traveled widely in Asia and Europe, with a special interest in the handicrafts of India. Pat's laughter and energy, her marvelous talent, her love of life…all will be missed by those fortunate enough to have known her.

Eugene C. Kim

Died December 25, 2013

I would like to inform you, with much sadness, that Dr. Eugene C. Kim, who retired in 1995 after being a faculty member for 29 years in the Department of Teacher Education and was also affiliated with the Department of Ethnic Studies at Sac State, passed away at the age of 85 on December 25, 2013. I attended a wonderful memorial service that was held on December 30, 2013 in San Diego, where he and his surviving wife lived after his retirement in a close proximity to his son and daughter and their families. It was a sad but truly beautiful celebration of his life with a series of wonderful heart-warming tributes (including poetry and music) dedicated by his two children, four grand children, and his other family members. I am emailing you on behalf of his wife, Dr. Sue Kim, who is a retired faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at Sac State.
In case anyone wishes to contact Sue and his surviving family, I am providing her email address:
Dr. Sue (Chung Sul) Kim: chungsul32@gmail.com
Submitted by Hyun-Sook Park