The Memorial Wall

One of Santa Monica’s best-known philanthropic leaders died recently but her name lives on in the community thanks to a lifetime of community work. 

Susan Barrett, of Barrett’s Appliances died earlier this month from Parkinson’s Disease and while many locals shopped from the store she ran with her husband Pete, others may also recognize her name from her generous community work.  

Born to Julian and Amada Jimenez on December 16, 1938, on the dining room table in Lincoln Heights, Susan was the eldest of three children proceeding her brother Julian Jr. and sister Juanita. She attended Lady Help Of Christian School in Los Angeles, Sacred Heart Academy, and college of the Holy Names in Oakland, California where she majored in education and Spanish. Her deep love of learning drove her to continue her education at St. Joseph College in Orange; Queen of the Holy Rosary College in Mission San Jose; Loyola University; Pepperdine University; and CSU Long Beach.

Friends said Susan will be remembered for her strength of character, her genuine faith in people, and the steadfast manner in which she dedicated herself to recognizing excellence and supporting the journeys of others. As a nun, an educator, philanthropist, friend, and family member, she proceeded always with generosity and meticulous thoughtfulness. 

From childhood, Susan wanted to be a nun and manifested that reality with as much conviction and faith as she went about all aspects of her life. In 1958, she entered Dominican Sisters of San Jose. During the 18 years in the convent, Susan taught in primary schools in San Jose, Los Angeles, and Portland, where she also worked as a principal.

After she left the convent in 1975, Susan moved to Santa Monica and was hired as a first-grade teacher for the Santa Monica School District. 

It was there that she met her husband, Pete Barrett. When Susan’s students wanted to construct a post office for the classroom, Susan went to Barrett’s Appliances on Main Street, where Pete made sure to deliver the necessary materials; mainly, a large refrigerator cardboard box. 

It was the beginning of a lifetime of creative collaboration and 23 wholesome years of marriage.

She has left a legacy that reflects the utmost care she poured into the many communities she served throughout her life.

With Pete, she created and sustained a life consistently driven by humanitarian concern. She volunteered substantially with the YMCA; the Santa Monica College Foundation; the American Heart Association; the National Conference of Christians and Jews; the Santa Monica/Malibu Education Foundation; Family Service of Santa Monica; the Senior Health and Peer Counseling Center; and the Santa Monica Heritage Museum, among many other organizations. 

After Pete’s death, Susan continued her work and was very involved in the establishment of the Cornerstone of Women’s Leadership at Saint Monica’s Parish.

The couple’s name still sits on the Pete and Susan Barrett Art Gallery at SMC. 

A member of the SMC Foundation Board of Directors, Susan was credited for working tirelessly on SMC Foundation’s capital campaign. 

“Each year, the Barrett Gallery at Santa Monica College showcases the work of professional artists as well as blossoming student talent,” said SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn Jeffery. “Gallery attendees enthusiastically come from all across the Los Angeles metropolitan region and beyond, and it is the generosity and vision of Pete & Susan Barrett that made this possible. We are indeed so sorry to hear of Susan’s passing. Here at SMC, Pete and Susan’s light will continue to shine on, for years to come.”

As dedicated as Susan was to her community work, she and Pete found time to enjoy their leisure time. They both played golf regularly as members of Mountain Gate Country Club, forming many close friendships there, while also traveling to the world’s renowned courses to try their skills. They enjoyed seeing the world and built wonderful memories from their journeys. Susan, also a legendary and generous hostess, was known for her delicious as well as beautiful dinner parties.

Susan Barrett is survived by her sister Juanita Jimenez, as well as her nephews Julian, Brian, and Andrew Jimenez.

Diane Margolin and Juanita Jimenez contributed to this story.

Richard Bernard Kranzdorf, aged 80, passed away on April 17, 2018, at Bob & Corky’s assisted living home in San Luis Obispo.

Early in life when Parkinson’s disease was unforeseen Richard said he wanted four words to mark his tombstone: “he gave a damn.” His wish became a self-fulfilling prophecy: his life made a positive difference to so many.

Born in New York City, the only child of Fannie and Joseph Kranzdorf, he grew up with loving parents and a close extended family of Schulman and Kranzdorf relatives, located in New York, Pennsylvania, and southern California. Add to good roots his innate qualities and you have the man Richard became: curious, puckish, idealistic, empathetic, trusting, and scrupulous.

Like many of his generation, he sought advancement through education. After obtaining a Bachelors of Arts in 1958 and a Masters of Arts in 1959 from the University of Pennsylvania, he worked as an editor in Boston. Two years later he decided to pursue a doctorate in Political Science from UCLA, which was awarded in 1974. His passion for the piano and music, nourished by his mother, remained an avocation.

In 1971 a fortuitous event changed his life. Attending a west coast conference, he learned that Cal Poly had an open teaching position in the Political Science department. He received the position and began a new chapter. In Richard’s words, “The boy from New York City found nirvana in San Luis Obispo.” He loved teaching, the company of colleagues, and his beautiful hometown.

The list of what Richard cared about is extensive: social justice, the students that he taught as a Political Science professor at Cal Poly from 1971 to 2008, and the town of SLO. Over the decades he partnered with kindred spirits, the Sierra Club, environmentalists, and city officials to help maintain the town’s quality of life. An incomplete record reveals the extent of his activism: statements to the City Council, letters to newspaper editors, radio broadcasts, and many speeches at critical events. Besides civil persuasion, he marched, protested, and supported worthwhile causes and candidates. He was progressive in its classic meaning: “an advocate of better conditions who employs liberal ideas and embraces new and experimental methods to effect change.” His contribution was best summarized by a friend: “SLO would not be the same without Richard.”

In 1961 he joined the Peace Corps and began his travels in Africa, teaching journalism and piano at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka for two years. Later, he said of the Peace Corps stint that it made him a more empathetic university teacher. He went on to travel around the world. Some trips, like his Fulbrights to Pakistan, Poland, and Hungary and teaching semesters in Cal Poly’s London program, had an academic focus; others were simply for pleasure. A lovely scroll that lists these trips attests to his amazing energy and love of adventure.

Unconventional, Richard spent his time and money on what he deemed important: causes, travel, and people in need. He indulged himself in simple pleasures: concerts, films at the Palm theatre, running, his men’s group, getting together with friends, keeping in touch with distant loved ones, food, outdoor activities, books, and newspapers.

His contributions to the world are noteworthy but what made him special was personal: his reflexive decency, his incredible kindness to others, and his ability to savor and share the moment. He shared and gave pleasure to so many people.

Richard anchored his active life with family, a wide circle of cherished friends, and colleagues. At a birthday celebration and well-attended ‘roast’ in 2012, he said with arms extended in an embrace, “I have no wife or children; you are my family.” His SLO ‘family’ — along with a caring, attentive fiduciary and many loving caregivers prolonged and enriched his last years. Even as Parkinson’s eroded his body and mind, Richard would say, “I’m a lucky man.” This characteristic gratitude explains why he was surrounded by people who cared for, and about him, until the end.

What will linger in memory is his essence: his warm, deep, welcoming voice, the throaty chuckle that emanated when he saw you, the way he threw his head back in delight when making a clever retort, and his smile so wide that it crinkled the skin around his eyes. Rest in peace, dear Richard; you will be sorely missed.

Predeceased by his second wife, Ilona Ing, who died in 2008, he is survived by remaining loving cousins and their families and by many devoted former colleagues and friends in SLO and elsewhere.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at 4:00 pm, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Congregation Beth David. Your contacting sherri39@charter.net if you plan to attend would be greatly appreciated.

On Thursday, April 5, 2018, Elva C. Gonzalez, 84, went home to be with her loving Husband, Federico B. Gonzalez, and our Lord Jesus Christ. She was born in Donna, Texas but moved to California at the age of 14. She is survived by her 6 children, Olga S. Castro, Linda S. Alvarez (Vince) Ida S. Ochoa, Federico C. Gonzalez (Karen), Lorena Gonzalez, Yvonne Gonzalez (Tony), 24 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Also, her sister, Esperanza Hernandez. She was preceded in death by her husband, Federico, parents, Antonio and Dolores, Sisters, Juanita, Margarita, Angela, Elida and brothers, Manuel and Antonio. Elva was a hardworking, loving mother and businesswoman.

From the age of 9, she worked to support her family. For most of her young adulthood, she worked in the agriculture industry as a foreman. With the love and support of her husband she opened and successfully owned/operated several small businesses in the Coachella Valley. She also served as a planning commissioner for the City of Coachella and was in charge of organizing the fiestas mexicanas held in the City of Coachella. She worked at the Riverside County courthouse for several years as an interpreter. She retired from Riverside County Nutrition Program as the Nutrition Supervisor for the Coachella Senior Center. Of all her accomplishments, her greatest joy was her family and helping others.

She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. Services will be held to honor her memory on Wednesday, April, 11, 2018 from 5:00pm-9:00pm at Forest Lawn in Coachella with a rosary to be held at 6:00pm.

Mass will be Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Church in Coachella at 11:00 interment at Coachella Valley Cemetery. Services under the direction of Forest Lawn

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Parkinson’s Resource Organization Parkinsonsresource.org or mail to 74-090 El Paseo, Suite 104, Palm Desert, Ca 92260

Bertram Kermit Massing, 84, passed away peacefully at home on March 6, 2018, after a long, happy, and fulfilling life.

Bert is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Phyllis; his children Greg Massing, Robert Massing, and Lisa Aronson; and his grandsons Harrison, Luke, and Jake.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1933, Bert moved with his mother to Los Angeles in August 1948 and attended L.A. High School. In 1955, he graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Accounting. From February 1955 through October 1960 – except for 21 months he served in the U.S. Army – he worked at the public accounting firm of Price Waterhouse where he became a CPA. He attended night school at the University of Southern California Law School, graduating in 1960. While at USC, he was a top student in the Tax Law class taught by Professor John W. Ervin, who invited Bert to join his law firm, Ervin, Cohen & Jessup, upon graduation. Bert spent his entire law career there, retiring in 2016, having created and led the firm’s Corporate Law Department. He specialized in corporate governance, public and private finance, mergers and acquisitions, and compliance with securities laws.

Bert was an active member of the American Jewish Committee for over thirty years, serving on the Executive Board of the Los Angeles regional chapter and as a member of AJC’s National Board of Governors. He was active in and served on the Board of Directors of the UCLA Alumni Association, from 1974 to 1976 as Vice President, and from 1980 to 1982 as General Counsel. Bert also served on the Board of Directors of the UCLA Friends of Jazz. Bert was a lifelong Dodgers fan (with a faint memory of his love for the Cleveland Indians), and loved music, especially jazz, and theater. His favorite musical was “My Fair Lady.” Donations in his memory may be made to the American Jewish Committee, Los Angeles Chapter; the Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO)

Bill Seal passed away peacefully at his summer residence overlooking Balboa Bay in Newport Beach, California surrounded by his family. He died from infection complications following back surgery.

Bill was raised in St. Helen's, Oregon. He was active in high school, co-captain of varsity football and voted "most inspirational." He received his B.S. in History from the University of Oregon, where he was a member of Theta Chi. Bill was a retired Captain of the United States Army Reserve. Bill's career included over 20 years at Georgia Pacific, followed by Forest City Trading Group after which, ahead of his time, Bill made what was then the unconventional decision to join his wife at Barbara Sue Seal Properties, focusing on corporate relocations. Over the years, Bill and Barbara Sue had opportunities to travel nationally & internationally associated with their careers. 

Bill married Barbara Sue Cortese in Rochester, New York on November 30, 1963. Together they raised three children, eventually settling in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Bill was generous with his time and energy for his children and community. He coached his sons in soccer, basketball and baseball. Bill served on the Foundation Boards of the University of Oregon and Portland State University, and for over 20 years on the Board of Goodwill Industries. He was a member of the University Club, Lake Oswego Country Club, Waverley Country Club and Astoria Country Club. Beginning in 1989, Bill and Barbara Sue began splitting their time between Lake Oswego and Palm Desert, California, where the Seals joined Ironwood Country Club. 

Bill was a voracious reader, particularly of military and world history. He loved golf, forming lasting friendships as a result of the game in Oregon, Palm Desert and Newport Beach, CA. He never tired of a view of the water, spending countless hours overlooking lakes, bays and oceans at home and while traveling, usually with binoculars. He and his wife treasured all their friends…frequently hosting impromptu dinner parties and being sure to celebrate milestones for many of them. But more than anything, Bill loved time with his family—he and Barbara Sue hosted many family reunions in places he knew his children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews would enjoy. Each and all of them remember Bill as someone who was unconditionally enthusiastic about every call or visit from his family, and all of them remember Bill as someone whose generosity, love and kindness gave them valuable life lessons. 

In the last 15 years of his life, Bill battled Parkinson's Disease. Despite considerable and advancing challenges, Bill remained positive and energetic about all that he still could do, providing yet another valuable lesson his family and friends will remember. And every evening at 5pm, he and his bride Barbara Sue would enjoy a glass of wine with each other. They continued this tradition of cherishing one another, right down to the evening he came home from the hospital and began Hospice care.

Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara Sue and his children, Debbie (and Jeff Paulson), Scott, and Craig (and Prae Seal), his six "perfect" grand-children, Spencer, Avery, Laurel, Joseph, Wil and Maggie, and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. His is pre-deceased by his sister Norma Heurung and survived by his brother Deane.