The Memorial Wall

AN VORST, Richard George Richard George Van Vorst was born on May 14, 1927, passed away on September 21 at Monte Vista Grove Homes after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He is survived by Connie, his devoted wife of 52 years, his three daughters Louise, Kristen and Marianne, sons-in-law Daniel and Robb and his eight grandchildren Christopher and Carrie, Claire and Tanner, Zac, Taylor, Marissa and Skyler, and many relatives and friends. Richard was born in Los Angeles, raised in San Marino and spent his early educational years at Harvard Military School. Upon graduation he entered the army, and served in World War II. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Claremont Men's College and his Masters degree from The University of Southern California. He joined his father in the family mattress and furniture business, C.B. Van Vorst Company, until he owned and operated Modern Plastic Co., a custom thermo-plastic injection molding company until his retirement in 1980. His passion was service to others and he served as director/trustee with the following organizations: Westridge School for Girls; Credit Managers Association; Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic; California Casualty; Blue Cross of CA; Thomas Jefferson Research Center; United Way; All Saints Church, and was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Safari Club International, LA Speakers Club, Young Presidents Organization and World Business Council. He served his alma mater, USC, not only as an avid and loyal fan of all sports, but in the following capacities: member of the Board of Trustees; director of the Kenneth Norris Jr. Comprehensive Cancer Center; president of Cardinal and Gold, The General Alumni Association and The Downtown Trojan Club. He was a member of the USC Commerce Associates National Board of Directors and chairman of the SCions Scholarship Program. In 1981 he was awarded USC's distinguished Alumni Service Award. He and Connie enjoyed many activities and traveled the world with fellow YPO and WBC members. Morning workouts at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, lunches at the Jonathon Club, duck and big game hunting and fishing were hobbies he pursued with enthusiasm. 

Dave Russell, 82, died from complications brought on by liver cancer and Parkinson’s Disease, on September 25, 2006 at his home in Redwood City. Dave was born in Los Angeles on January 13, 1924 and was adopted by Hazel Kaye and Jack Russell. He attended the Jerry Voorhees School and graduated from Covina High School in 1941. Dave proudly served as a signalman in the US Navy during most of the major battles of WW II. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor’s degree in 1950.Dave worked at Lenkurt Electric for 28 years, and helped many start ups in Silicon Valley as a financial controller. After his retirement, Dave served on the board of the Parkinson’s Patients Support Groups, Inc. (PPSG). He also loved gardening, traveling, golf and exercising with his friends at the Cardiac Therapy Foundation in Palo Alto. Dave and his family lived in Portola Valley for 38 years before moving to Redwood City in 2002.Dave survived his wife, Marie, who died in 1997, as well as his son-in-law, Woody Lawrence, who died this Spring. He is survived by his children: Steven, and Alan, Alan’s wife Stephanie, daughter Marilyn Lawrence, and grandchildren C.J and Nico Russell, and Justin and Jason Lawrence, and his very special friend and companion for the past six years, Wanda Iverson.

Bill Meistrell was a pioneering waterman and lifeguard whose inventions, talents, and exploits helped transform surfing and diving into worldwide phenomena and billion-dollar industries. He died from Parkinson’s disease on Tuesday, July 26th at his home in Rancho Palos Verdes surrounded by family and friends. Bill was 77.

Bill and twin brother Bob are two of the three watermen named to both the surfing and diving halls of fames. Bill and Bob were born in Booneville, Missouri; Bill on July 30, 1928, and Bob 20 minutes later on July 31st. Bill and Bob started diving as kids in the farm’s pond using an oilcan for a helmet and a bicycle pump and a hose for air. Bill and Bob had big dreams as Missouri farm-boys. Bob Meistrell explains, “We had three goals when we were small boys: own a submarine; go deep-sea diving; and treasure-hunting. Somehow we managed all three.”

A former business partner murdered their father when the twins were only four years old. Bill and Bob moved to Manhattan Beach with their mother, two brothers and three sisters in 1942. Bill attended Redondo Union High School and graduated from El Segundo High School in 1947. Bill, a Korean War veteran, was awarded the Bronze Star. Bill and Bob were among the first crop of Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguards in the 1940s and were among the first generation of California surfers and divers who blazed a path for generations to follow.

Bill bought into their retail store Dive N Surf in Redondo Beach in 1953 with brother Bob, legendary surfboard maker Hap Jacobs, and renowned surfer and diver Bev Morgan. Dive N Surf was the first and is the oldest surf and dive shop of its kind in the South Bay of Los Angeles. Bill and Bob became sole owners in 1958. Bill, Bob, and partner Morgan, are best known for inventing (in 1953) the first practical wetsuit, which revolutionized surfing and diving. Bill came up with the phrase “fits like a glove” and Body Glove was born. Body Glove’s boned-hand, which Bill helped design, is one of the most globally recognized brand logos.

James W. Lannert, age 79 years, of Oswego, IL, died Saturday, May 6, 2006 at Alden Courts of Waterford in Aurora, IL. He was born November 21, 1926 in Chicago, IL, the son of the late William H. and Margaret (nee Flynn) Lannert.
Jim was employed as a mechanical engineer at Maytag, Whirlpool, All-Steel, G.F. Business Equipment and Lyon Medal Products, prior to his retirement in 1990. He was a graduate of Purdue University in 1949 as well as a member of the Alumni Club. He was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Oswego, IL, the Rush-Copley Healthplex and a long time volunteer at Rush-Copley Medical Center serving the needs of others.
Jim is survived by his wife, Ann (nee Schirra), whom he married on March 22, 1946 at Fort Leavenworth, KS; five children; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grand children.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 from 3 to 7 PM at the McKeown-Dunn Funeral Home, Ltd. & Cremation Services at 210 Madison St. in Oswego, IL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM at St. Anne Catholic Church, 851 Boulder Hill Pass in Oswego, IL on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 by Rev. Dan Stempora celebrant. Burial will take place at Pearce Cemetery Oswego, IL.

Schlosberg, Irving M., 89 of Boynton Beach, died on May 1 of Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Basin Schlosberg; his daughter Dr. Cophelia Pertz, DVM of Hopewell, NJ; his son David I. ? Schlosberg, ESQ of Miami; and his grandson T. Josiah Pertz of San Jose, Costa Rica. Mr. Schlosberg obtained his law degree from NYU and then served in the Army in WWII as a Warrant Officer in the European theater. After the war, he practiced law in NYC until his retirement to Florida in 1982. 

Donald Kroll Donald Kroll, born April 23, 1944, to Elizabeth and Ferdinand Kroll, died April 19, 2006, at Alamitos Belmont Rehabilitation Hospital in Long Beach. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Sandra; daughter, Katie Kroll; sister, Carol Kerr; and nieces, nephews, an aunt, uncles, and cousins.

Don grew up in Los Angeles, Downey, and Garden Grove, graduated from Rancho Alamitos High School, completed a Bachelor's degree at California State University Long Beach and a Master's at San Diego State University. From 1966 to 1999 he was employed by the Long Beach Unified School District as a teacher aide, teacher, librarian, and library-media specialist at Tincher and Edison Elementary Schools, Stevens Junior High School, and Millikan and Wilson High Schools.

During his career Don was a member of several professional organizations, including the English Council of Long Beach and Long Beach School Librarians Association, both of which he served as president; and the American Federation of Teachers and Teachers Association of Long Beach. He was also active in Friends of the Long Beach Public Library, serving on the Blanche Collins Forum. As a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach (UUCLB), he served on various committees, taught Sunday school, and assisted in many of the programs. With his daughter, he was involved in Indian Princesses at the YMCA for a number of years. 

His enjoyment of music was a recurring theme in Don's life. One of his great joys was leading groups of adults and children in song on his cherished Martin guitar. He spent countless hours listening to his extensive record collection and many evenings in concert halls, enjoying a variety of musical styles, from heavy symphonic music and opera to rock'n'roll and folk. Don took great pleasure in performing in front of a group, and found venues around campfires, at his church and church camp, and in schools. For several years he belonged to his church's choir, participating with them in the Mozart Festival Choir, and he sang with the choir at his church's General Assembly. Don enjoyed other performance opportunities in addition to singing. Many of his friends remember his hilarious performance as "Trudy the Bag Lady," a Lily Tomlin invention. For that, he was billed as "Don Kroll in drag." Don loved spending time outdoors, whether it was in the backyard or on camping trips with family and friends. With his family, he enjoyed extensive U.S. travel including more than one cross-country road trip, as well as travel to Europe, Canada, and Mexico.

He treasured his home and enjoyed handiwork and small repairs, which gave him a sense of satisfaction. He had a strong interest in film and photography. He was a generous person and loved to share whatever he had with other people - whether it was a piece of pie, a Randy Newman CD, or something larger, such as his home or his talent. He was easy-going and mellow, always eager to honor others' wishes rather than impose his own agenda. His kind wit and welcoming smile will be dearly missed by his many friends who remember him as both a gentleman and a very "gentleman."

Don's family requests that donations go to Friends of the Library, 101 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802; or to UUCLB: Music Special Fund, 5450 Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815; or to Parkinson's Resource Organization (Donald Kroll Memorial Fund), 74-090 El Paseo, Suite 102, Palm Desert, CA 92260-4135.

NEWMAN-Herbert M. Newman, born in Seattle, WA Aug. 5, 1922, passed away April 6, 2006, at home in West Covina, after a brave battle with Parkinson's disease. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy (1943) as both a line & executive officer (navigator) in the Pacific aboard a patrol craft escort; Honorably discharged in 1946, he returned to the University of WA, & received a degree in Ceramic Engineering ('48). He then worked in So. America in construction engineering. In Peru, he met his future wife, Livia, marrying in 1954. They settled in West Covina raising 3 children. For 29 yrs. he worked for Southwestern Portland Cement, as a technical service & sales engineer; & was active in the American Concrete Inst. & Structural Engineer's Assoc. of CA. He used his professional knowledge to help many worthy causes, including the renovation & expansion of his temple, Temple Shalom. He was an active Boy Scout leader & baseball coach for his sons. He enjoyed salt/freshwater fishing, golfing, photography, travel, and being a "do-it-yourselfer". He is survived by his loving wife Livia Newman; sons David (Ellene) & Sam Newman (Judie); daughter Jeannette Velez (Victor); 7 grandchildren: Hallel, Shemarya, Justin, Sarah, Janelle, Sammy Jr. & Andrew; and brother Paul (Lila). He is missed dearly.

Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the Parkinson's Resource Organization 74-090 El Paseo, Suite 104, Palm Desert CA 92260.

Gordon C. Nichols Sr., 82, a former resident of East Arlington, died Oct. 31, 2005, at the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, with Parkinson’s disease.

He was born April 17, 1923, in New Haven, Conn., the son of Leon Leroy and Marion (Houyou) Nichols.

He received his education in Danbury, Conn.

Mr. Nichols was a U.S. Navy veteran having served during World War II and attained the rank of boatswain’s mate second class.

He married the former Dorothy Florence Mead Oct. 21, 1942. Mrs. Nichols died in 2001.

Mr. Nichols was self-employed as a carpenter, painter and wallpaper hanger.

He was a member of American Legion Post 69 in Arlington.

He enjoyed automobile racing and founded the S.N.Y.R.A. He was a member of Star & Near Antique Racing Clubs.

Survivors include eight children, Sandy Nichols of South Yarmouth, Mass., Lee Nichols and David Nichols, both of Chester, Julie Medland of Longwood, Fla., Jeff Nichols of Deerfield, N.H., Ken Nichols of Los Angeles, Calif., Beth Albert of Arlington and Gordon Nichols III of Weston; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Donald Buddy Nichols of Hawleyville, Conn., and Leroy Nichols of Waterville, Maine; two sisters, Lois Read of New Milford, Conn., and Nancy Brown of Bethel, Conn.; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The memorial Mass was held Friday, Nov. 4, at All Faiths Chapel of the Vermont Veterans Home with the Rev. Michael Demasi officiating.

Burial with military honors was Saturday, Nov. 5, in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bethel, Conn.

John Martin Hiss, Jr., 83
Prominent Physician With a Lifelong Passion for Music

John ('Jack') Martin Hiss, Jr., an esteemed physician who specialized in nuclear medicine from 1966 until his retirement in 1987, died on October 3 in Mandalay Shores, California, where he had resided for the past 15 years. He was 83 and died peacefully at home with family and friends at his side.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, on October 1, 1922, Jack moved to California with his family in 1931. Following his pre-med training at the UCLA School of Medicine, he was awarded his M.D. at Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia. He completed his internship at the University of Chicago before beginning his residency in internal medicine at San Joaquin General Hospital. In 1948 he served as a Flight Surgeon in the Air Force in Tokyo. From 1974 until 1987 he was Chief of Nuclear Medicine at Santa Monica Hospital.

Jack loved jazz and classical music. He played drums and percussion, was a member of the Doctors Symphony and had his own small jazz band. Nothing brought him more joy than the sounds of the Buddy Rich Orchestra or the Jeff Hamilton Trio; nothing brought tears to his eyes like the music of Brahms, Beethoven and Mozart. He will be remembered for his heroic efforts to continue attending concerts even when his Parkinson's might have kept him from doing so. He will be missed by those who were moved by his undying and infectious passion for composers and performers alike.

Jack is survived by his sisters, Marion McCulla and Jane Bourland; four children and four grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Resource Organization: 74-090 El Paseo, Suite 102, Palm Desert, CA 92660, (877) 775-4111.

MILDRED DRESNER died of Parkinson's disease on July 22, 2005, at 87. She is survived by her husband, Sol; son, Dr. Steve; daughters, Marcia Kabaker and Joanne; five grandchildren; sister, Elaine Michaelson; and brother, Sidney Auster. Hillside