The Memorial Wall

Bob (Robin) Zarider passed away in La Mesa, California on Sunday, July 2nd surrounded by his family. Bob was 61 and a long-time resident of Allied Gardens.

He served as Director, of the Investment Division at Neuman & Neuman Real Estate Inc. of San Diego. As a graduate of San Diego State University, Bob loved all things San Diego from his Aztecs and Padres to the San Diego Chargers.

Bob enjoyed civic activities and loved the game of golf and enjoyed playing with his group of friends for many years.

Bob is survived by his sons Zachary, Nathan and Jeffrey; father, Frank Zarider; brother, David Zarider and sister-in-law, Barbara; sister, Karen (Zarider) Johnson and husband Jeff. Bob’s cherished wife, Fran and beloved mother, Ruth, preceded his death.

Bob will be missed and forever will remain in our hearts. Donations to The Parkinson’s Resource Organization on Bob’s behalf would be most appreciated. Parkinson’s Resource Organization, 74-090 El Paseo, Suite 104, Palm Desert, CA 92260 (760) 773-5628.

Louis A. Fisher, 80, died in La Quinta, California on May 5, 2017. He was born to Louis Alfred and Virginia Claire Fisher on June 13, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan.

Lou graduated from Portsmouth Priory School in Rhode Island in 1954, lettered in football and enjoyed hockey, softball, and track. He attended the University of Georgetown, Washington, DC and graduated from the University of Detroit where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1958.

Following his enlistment into ROTC, Louis was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corp and served honorably as First Lieutenant until 1961. He then served in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1965.

Lou later moved to San Diego where he met and married Beverly Frie and it was here that their beautiful daughter, Monica was born.

After many annual visits to the Palm Desert area, Louis and Beverly decided to move to La Quinta, California where he enjoyed actively playing golf and polo. They spent their summers in Haley, Idaho, fly- fishing, biking, and camping.

Lou was preceded in death by his daughter Monica, and his brother William (Bill) Fisher. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; sister’s, Claire Lauinger and her husband, Philip; Anne Dingeman and her husband Jim; sister-in-law, Andrea Fisher; and his many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Parkinson’s Resource Organization.

George Tcharos, 87, of Cathedral City, California passed away on March 11, 2017 in Cathedral City. He was born on April 17, 1929, to Nikolaos Tsororos and Aristea Loumakis in Quebec City, Canada.

He married Emily Pappas on April 17, 1966 in Quebec City. He was a restaurateur and sales representative in the wholesale foods business (Center Meat Company) for over 45 years. He was Provincial Scout Commissioner and Troop Master in Canada, a Master Mason-Scottish Rite 33rd degree, founder and community organizer for both the Greek Orthodox Church communities of the Annunciation in Quebec City, Canada & St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Palm Desert, CA. He served in the Royal 57th Battery from 1944-1948 as a Reservist.

He is survived by spouse, Emily Tcharos of Cathedral City; daughter, Stefanie Tcharos (Matthew) Kourakis; son; Nicolas (Ariadne Sarros) Tcharos; grandchildren, Jacob Kourakis, Anisia Kourakis, Theoharis Tcharos, and Alexander Tcharos; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and loving friends.

Bill was born on May 13, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - the oldest of four children. His education consisted of graduating from Villanova University with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  He graduated from Notre Dame with his Masters and then went on to receive his doctorate in Electrical Engineering at Notre Dame.  After obtaining a fellowship at Purdue University he went on to work for the state department overseas for several years in Moscow in the 60’s and later Frankfurt Germany.  He was never able to tell us what his job was overseas. He came back to the states and continued working for companies that contracted with the US Government until his retirement.  

He was an avid Sculler and rowed in college on the Schuylkill River and then rowed regularly on the Potomac.  When he wasn’t rowing he cycled and walked everywhere! He bought his first house in Arlington, Virginia where he met and married Rosanne. He was 50 years old.  They traveled extensively and it seemed it was blissful for them - until he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 55.  He had gone to see a physician for bone spurs because he was having trouble walking and his one foot was dragging…

Bill had Parkinson’s for 25 years and never once complained.  He never gave up hope that he would beat this hideous disease.  His spirits were always good and his wife, Rosanne, along with the family, were there and gave him much support.  Our mother was in her 90’s by the time Bill and Rosanne sold their home and moved to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania to be near her and our brother Bob and his wife, Deni, who were also living there.  Unfortunately, there was no support for the family or spouse so what we learned about Parkinson’s we learned through our own research and muddled about as much as we could.  Our mother passed away in 2004 and his three siblings are still alive.  His wife, Rosanne passed away on Thursday February 10, 2022.

We miss Bill every day and whenever his name is mentioned it always brings a smile…

Elliot M. Finkle: October 16, 1940 – January 31, 2017. Resident of Los Gatos Elliot Finkle died peacefully in his home. Born in Newport News, Virginia, he attended medical school at the University of VA in Charlottesville, specializing in radiology. He served in the U.S. Army as a physician in the Vietnam war. He married the love of his life, Betty, and moved to California soon after. Elliot was a respected radiologist for 30 years with the San Jose Radiological Medical Group. He and his wife of 48 years raised two loving children in Los Gatos.

He was a very adventurous man. He loved sailing, whitewater kayaking, flying small airplanes, scuba diving, motorcycle riding, rock climbing, hang-gliding, among many other outdoor activities. Elliot fought a courageous battle with Parkinson’s. He will always be remembered for his quiet, kind, selfless, and gentle ways as well as all of the laughter he brought through his wit and dry sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, his son Kevin, his daughter Amy, his granddaughter Makiah, and two grand-doggies Willow and Ginger.

Claude Michel Steiner PhD, Clinical Psychologist, was born a Jew in Paris France, January 6th 1935. He died, on January 9 th 2017, in comfort and with dignity, on the shore of Pennyroyal Lake on his Round Mountain Ranch in Ukiah California, surrounded by family and nature’s beauty. For over a decade he struggled with the subtle and brutally relentless disability from Parkinson’s disease. His final words before peacefully dying were “Love is the Answer” and “I’m so lucky”. He is the author of the Warm Fuzzy Tale and Achieving Emotional Literacy among numerous other books. These two books embody his theories of emotional intelligence, about which he lectured and gave workshops around the world. He is survived by his children, Noemi Mimi Doohan, Eric Steiner and Denali Nicholson Lumma; his wife Jude Steiner Hall; his grandchildren Matthew Doohan, Bella Doohan, Alex Steiner, Mariel Steiner, Adric Lumma and Dylan Lumma; his siblings Miguel Steiner and Kati Quibell; and his nieces Allyson Quibell Wilinsky, Valeska Steiner, Cecilia Steiner and nephew Julian Quibell. 

John F. Stone, age 79, of Palm Desert, CA, formerly of Minneapolis, MN,  joined our Heavenly Father in the early morning hours of December 31, 2016.

John was the love of Phyllis’ life, and will be remembered by his kids as a committed, loving father and grandfather.  John was born on December 24, 1937, in Bismarck, North Dakota. He attended the University of North Dakota for both his undergraduate degree and law degree. During his college years, he had his own dance band called “John Stone and the Pebbles.”

He was invited to play his trombone for Lawrence Welk, but declined the opportunity to follow his dream of practicing law, a profession he enjoyed for over 30 years. John had a passion for volunteer activities.

He served for many years with the Minneapolis Aquatennial, the Minneapolis YMCA, St. John’s Ecumenical Institute,  Colonial Church of Edina, and Silver Sands Racquet Club in Palm Desert, CA.

He is survived by wife, Phyllis; children, Brad Stone (Claudia), Shelley Appel (Todd), and Pamela Stone; grandchildren, Cameron, Michael, Devin, Brittany, Brooke, Kyle, and Alexander;  and brother, Richard Stone.  He was preceded in death by parents, J. Lloyd and Grace Stone, and brother, Jim Stone.

Loving memories of John: 

• Floating on the dance floor with Phyllis to the tunes of  big bands
• Poppy playing with his grandchildren in the swimming pool.
• Returning Dad’s frustrating, spinning drop shots on the tennis court.
• Riding a float in the 1976 Rose Bowl Parade as Commodore of the Minneapolis Aquatennial.
• December 24 was a celebration of John Stone’s birthday first, and Christmas Eve second.
• John was revered for his holiday punch, BOOM!
• Dad was the best Santa ever: cookies and milk left by the fire, Christmas mornings with presents stacked to the ceiling. He always exclaimed ‘Santa had come!’
• En route to the family cabin in Detroit Lakes, MN we always stopped at our favorite restaurant in Little Falls for chocolate milk shakes and greasy burgers. The cabin was the place for many family reunions and lasting memories.
• John enjoyed membership in several Minneapolis area clubs, where he entertained his clients and spoiled his family and friends. John loved backgammon and gin rummy. He  had a passion for travel.
• He had an uncomplicated faith in God, a generous spirit, and a steady, unconditional love for all.
• Rest in Peace Poppy.

In John’s honor, the Stone family requests donations be made to the Parkinson's Resource Organization. All proceeds go toward continuing our outreach, support and educational efforts for those dealing Parkinson’s. Thank you in advance for remembering John and honoring his request.

Leonard Hirsch Rudolph, 89, of Palm Desert, California, died on December 31, 2016.

Len was born and raised in Superior, Wisconsin, the son of Maurice and Evelyn Rudolph. After attending the University of Minnesota and serving in the U.S. Army, he returned from Japan and moved to Duluth, Minnesota. There he worked in the family owned retail furniture business, becoming the General Manager from 1955 - 1971. What started as a small operation grew to become one of Duluth's largest home furnishings centers.

In 1971, Len changed careers and opened his own firm called "Len Rudolph Insurance". He was the proprietor of this company until 1990 when he merged it with another agency, forming Young and Rudolph. After moving from Duluth to Palm Desert in 1992 he continued working as an independent insurance agent. He was still working in this capacity, tirelessly serving his clients, just prior to his death.

Len was very involved locally in both Duluth and Palm Desert. In Duluth he volunteered with many organizations: He was an active member of the Rotary Club; founded in 1968 and Co-Chaired the University Artist Series from 1968-1971 at the University of Minnesota, Duluth; served on the Board of Trustees of the College of St. Scholastica from 1983-1992; was a member and eventual President of Northland Country Club; worked as a member and President of the Board of Directors of the Woodland Hills Residential Treatment Center for Boys and Girls from 1973-1981; and was on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation and Community Council of Duluth from 1979-1986.

One of Len's keen interests was developing Duluth as a convention and tourist center. He was a leader in the establishment of the Duluth Arena Auditorium and served as a Member and President of its Administrative Board from 1968-1974. Other organizations with which he was involved were the Duluth-Superior Symphony Opera Presentations (1963-1965); Temple Israel Congregation (Board of Trustees 1967-69); Board of Directors of the Northland Capitol Corporation (a small business investment company) from 1967-1975; and Board of Directors, Duluth Athletic Club (1969-1972).

Len and his wife Phyllis Rudolph moved to Palm Desert, California full time in 1992. There he continued his civic involvement in a number of ways. He remained an active member of the Rotary Club, serving on the Board of Directors of the Rancho Mirage Club from 1995-1997. He also served as a Board Member of Ironwood Country Club, as well as of its Homeowners Association #8, of which he was President from 1995-97. To diversify his activities, he volunteered as a Docent at the Living Desert from 1995 until 2015. He also assisted with financial management as a volunteer at the local Parkinson's Organization office and was a member of Temple Sinai.

Leonard was known for his honesty, warmth, kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and willingness to work hard for those organizations and causes that were important to him. He was a true gentleman who deeply loved his family and friends.

Len is survived by his wife of 68 years, Phyllis Rudolph, of Palm Desert, CA; his daughter Paula Rudolph and her partner Mark French, of Santa Barbara, CA; his grandson Adam Whiteley and wife Rhyana, of Bozeman, Montana; his granddaughter Sara Whiteley Crompton and her husband Chris, of Denver, Colorado; and his great grandson Beckett Crompton of Denver, Colorado. He was pre-deceased by his brother Burton Rudolph in 2007 and his son James Alan Rudolph in 2011.

Leonard was the Bookkeeper, Insurance Agent, and a great friend to Jo Rosen and her dog Missy at the PRO Office for 23 years. He is missed every day.

If life were simply the sum of career titles and industry awards, Gordon Hunt, who left us this past Saturday, December 17th, would have already won the game. From New York to Hollywood, he directed for stage, film, and television, winning a Director's Guild of America Award for his work on the hit comedy, Mad About You.

For over a decade, he was casting director for LA's Mark Taper Forum. He taught a master acting class that produced such talents as his Academy Award-winning daughter Helen Hunt and Emmy Award winner Jonathan Banks. He was a pioneer of voiceover recording at the legendary Hanna-Barbera Studios. His summer musicals at the Hollywood Bowl always drew full houses and rave reviews.

A master of reinvention, when television work slowed, he turned to video games and became a pioneer in the field of motion capture technology, which included the "Uncharted" series, one of the best-selling video games of all time. And as a voice actor, he was Wally in the animated adaptation of the comic strip "Dilbert." But, as anyone who ever knew him will attest, Gordon was so much more than his work and his awards. Born on April 26, 1929, in Pasadena, California, he was the third of four children. His father George was a successful furniture designer.

His mother Helen died when the boy was only four, the victim of a drunk driver. At age five, the self-described "shy kid" discovered Rachmaninoff, listening incessantly with his best friend, art historian, Helen Kellogg. He grew up fascinated by music and the theatre, leading to a Liberal Arts degree from UCLA. From 1947 to 1949, he stage-managed a small theatre in Pasadena, developing an interest in directing which paid off in surprising ways.

When he entered the U.S. Army in 1954, he got out of a good amount of basic training by telling his commanding officer that he wanted to make a documentary about him. Going on to helm a series of talent showcases with some of his Army buddies, he took the show on the road, which brought him to Hollywood in 1956 as an associate producer on the Oscar Levant Show. And a career was born. From his early days sipping Remy Martin in piano bars and cruising the streets of Los Angeles in a Corvette, to his later years of meditation, Pilates, and reading Ram Dass, everything he did, he did full-out -- because he was passionate about life. About art. About people.

Before he became a casting director for The Taper, actors needed an agent to audition and a specific role to read for. So Gordon initiated a policy of regular, open auditions for both equity and non-equity actors who merely wanted to be seen. That love of the acting profession and his support and encouragement for those who do it was evident in his approach. He advised every actor to plan something fun for right after their audition. And if a nervous actor said, "I hope they like me", he suggested they say "I hope I like them" instead. He later compiled those lessons into How To Audition, the definitive how-to manual in the field, being re-issued this week as an e-book with a foreword by his daughter Helen.

Beyond his work, Gordon was an avid body surfer, a regular visitor to Santa Monica Bay from the age of six and on into his 80's. He worshipped Bruce Springsteen and was a brilliant wordsmith himself, writing songs including the beautiful "Errol Flynn" about his childhood hero, with music by Grammy-winner Amanda McBroom. He was the consummate host and chef, friends counting themselves extremely lucky to be invited to the house for an evening concert-with-tacos or a brunch of "Opera and Omelets", the eggs from Gordon and the opera from his loving wife, BJ Ward. As he left us this past weekend, BJ asked what his final wish might be. What could she do for him? "Laugh," he said. For all who knew and loved him, that is so Gordon.

He is survived by wife BJ Ward; devoted daughter Helen Hunt; step-daughter Colleen Morrison Hunt; brother George Hunt III; brother Peter Hunt and Peter's children Max, Daisy, and Amy; grandchildren Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan, Emmett Carnahan, and god-daughter Lizzie Gordon. A documentary film, Pebbles, Ripples, and Waves, which chronicles Gordon Hunt's life is set to be released in 2017.