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Class Notes Archive 1931-2014: Winter 2007

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1936Joseph Ruiz Garcia Jr. died in May 2006 at age 90. Having served in public office for 28 years, Mr. Garcia was a well-known lawmaker and sugar industry executive in Hakalau, Hawaii. He was a member of the territorial and state Legislature for 24 years and was then elected to the Hawaii County Council. Always noted for his effervescent personality, he wrote a humor column for the Hawaii Tribune Herald. He was honored in 1990 by UC Davis as a distinguished alumnus. Mr. Garcia is survived by his wife, Ivy, three children and seven grandchildren.
1948Ghery Pettit, D.V.M. ’53, received the Alumnus of the Year Award from Phi Kappa Sigma. He is a former international president of the fraternity, has been adviser of the chapter at Washington State University since 1981 and is currently on the fraternity’s foundation board of directors. Pettit taught small-animal surgery at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and Washington State University until his retirement in 1991. Pettit and his wife, Frances, have been married for 58 years. They have two sons and two grandchildren.
1954Richard Ortega was honored with an “outstanding alumni” Award of Distinction from the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Following graduation, Ortega ran dairy farms for 34 years and worked in various sectors of public service. He was a charter member of the UC Davis Chancellor’s Club, board member of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association and member of the UC Davis Livestock Advisory Committee. A well-known figure in his hometown of Tulare, Ortega served as councilmember, mayor and Tulare Joint Union High School board trustee. • Mary Caragozian Thompson has written Maxen Remembers (Authorhouse Publishers), a story of her mother’s escape from the Armenian genocide in early 20th century Turkey and her subsequent experiences in California. Thompson and her husband, Gordon, live near Atlanta, Ga.
1959James Orlopp died in September 2006 at age 69. After completing his studies in poultry husbandry, he worked on his farm in Orosi for 33 years and also served on the board of directors for the Klink Citrus Association and the Orange Cove Irrigation District. He was an avid hunter and fisherman as well. Survivors include his wife, Barbara, and son, Trent.
1962Roy Saigo, president of St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, plans to retire in June. Saigo, president of SCSU since 2000, is considering an invitation from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to work on international education.
1963Herbert Stone has been honored with an “outstanding alumni” Award of Distinction from the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for his accomplishments in the food science industry. Tragon Corp., his marketing research and sensory testing company, has conducted business in more than 25 countries. Stone also serves as an adjunct and visiting professor in China.
1964George Kucera wrote to share the sad news that he has been diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma and “wishes to say goodbye to all of the good friends he made at UCD while he was there.” He can be reached at georgek692@aol.com.
1966Carol Cooper was awarded the “outstanding staff” Award of Distinction from the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. She began her 38 years in the UC Davis food science and technology department as a librarian and then became an undergraduate academic adviser, helping countless students complete their studies and prepare for careers and graduate school.
1970Martin Wizorek accepted a position as manager of occupational safety and health at the University of Maryland, College Park. Wizorek had served for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, and worked for 14 years with various industrial hygiene and safety consulting firms.
1972David Carle, who worked as a California State park ranger for 27 years, has written Introduction to Air in California (University of California Press). The book, one of several he’s written about the environment, explains the air we breathe, from weather patterns to wind to air pollution. • Jane Louise Yale, Cred. ’73, died of cancer in April 2006 at age 56. Ms. Yale taught elementary school in Rio Vista and, later, South San Francisco. She also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and served as a Sunday school teacher. She is survived by her husband, Stephen, and their four children.
1973Curt Edwards, vice president of the San Diego office of Psomas, an engineering firm, received the Said Khoury Award from the World Federation of Engineering Organizations. He was honored for his contributions to natural disaster relief, having assisted with more than 10 post-earthquake investigations during the past 15 years, as well as helping with the investigation of damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
1974Lorene Jackson has taken her Davis cycling experience to new heights with the release of her latest book, Mountain Biking Lake Tahoe (Globe Pequot Press). When she’s not researching trail guides, Jackson works with Trips for Kids, a national nonprofit that takes disadvantaged youth on mountain bike adventures. • John Reganold, M.S., Ph.D. ’80, has published Organic Agriculture: A Global Perspective (Cornell University Press), which has already garnered considerable praise from scholars in the field. Reganold is Regents Professor of Soil Science at Washington State University.
1975David Wolfe, M.S. ’81, Ph.D. ’84, professor of plant ecology at Cornell University, spoke at a climate change symposium organized by the New York Botanical Garden in September. Wolfe joined a panel of speakers that included former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Wolfe is an authority on the effects of climate change and rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide on plants, soils and ecosystems.
1976Phil Gross received the Yosemite Artist in Residence Award for 2006–07 and was one of a dozen recipients selected from several hundred applicants. The award includes a small studio in the park for one month. Gross will have a solo show in March at the John Natsoulas Gallery in Davis. His work can be viewed at www.philgross.net. • Davor Hrovat, M.S., Ph.D. ’79, was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in February for “contributions to the development of automotive controls that have led to improvement in performance, comfort and safety.” In addition, Hrovat was recently promoted to Henry Ford Technical Fellow, the most prestigious technical expert position at Ford Motor Co. He lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. • Sue Schleifer recently launched Oak Communications, a management consulting and career and personal coaching business in Oakland. For more information, visit www.oakcommunications.com.
1977Martin Bannon, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, was recently assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia to serve as the air attaché. Bannon lives in Kuala Lumpur with his wife, Sharon, while his three children, Martina, Megan and Sean, attend universities in Montana.

1936Joseph Ruiz Garcia Jr. died in May 2006 at age 90. Having served in public office for 28 years, Mr. Garcia was a well-known lawmaker and sugar industry executive in Hakalau, Hawaii. He was a member of the territorial and state Legislature for 24 years and was then elected to the Hawaii County Council. Always noted for his effervescent personality, he wrote a humor column for the Hawaii Tribune Herald. He was honored in 1990 by UC Davis as a distinguished alumnus. Mr. Garcia is survived by his wife, Ivy, three children and seven grandchildren.

1948Ghery Pettit, D.V.M. ’53, received the Alumnus of the Year Award from Phi Kappa Sigma. He is a former international president of the fraternity, has been adviser of the chapter at Washington State University since 1981 and is currently on the fraternity’s foundation board of directors. Pettit taught small-animal surgery at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and Washington State University until his retirement in 1991. Pettit and his wife, Frances, have been married for 58 years. They have two sons and two grandchildren.

1954Richard Ortega was honored with an “outstanding alumni” Award of Distinction from the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Following graduation, Ortega ran dairy farms for 34 years and worked in various sectors of public service. He was a charter member of the UC Davis Chancellor’s Club, board member of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association and member of the UC Davis Livestock Advisory Committee. A well-known figure in his hometown of Tulare, Ortega served as councilmember, mayor and Tulare Joint Union High School board trustee. • Mary Caragozian Thompson has written Maxen Remembers (Authorhouse Publishers), a story of her mother’s escape from the Armenian genocide in early 20th century Turkey and her subsequent experiences in California. Thompson and her husband, Gordon, live near Atlanta, Ga.

1959James Orlopp died in September 2006 at age 69. After completing his studies in poultry husbandry, he worked on his farm in Orosi for 33 years and also served on the board of directors for the Klink Citrus Association and the Orange Cove Irrigation District. He was an avid hunter and fisherman as well. Survivors include his wife, Barbara, and son, Trent.

1962Roy Saigo, president of St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, plans to retire in June. Saigo, president of SCSU since 2000, is considering an invitation from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to work on international education.

1963Herbert Stone has been honored with an “outstanding alumni” Award of Distinction from the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for his accomplishments in the food science industry. Tragon Corp., his marketing research and sensory testing company, has conducted business in more than 25 countries. Stone also serves as an adjunct and visiting professor in China.

1964George Kucera wrote to share the sad news that he has been diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma and “wishes to say goodbye to all of the good friends he made at UCD while he was there.” He can be reached at georgek692@aol.com.

1966Carol Cooper was awarded the “outstanding staff” Award of Distinction from the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. She began her 38 years in the UC Davis food science and technology department as a librarian and then became an undergraduate academic adviser, helping countless students complete their studies and prepare for careers and graduate school.

1970Martin Wizorek accepted a position as manager of occupational safety and health at the University of Maryland, College Park. Wizorek had served for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, and worked for 14 years with various industrial hygiene and safety consulting firms.

1972David Carle, who worked as a California State park ranger for 27 years, has written Introduction to Air in California (University of California Press). The book, one of several he’s written about the environment, explains the air we breathe, from weather patterns to wind to air pollution. • Jane Louise Yale, Cred. ’73, died of cancer in April 2006 at age 56. Ms. Yale taught elementary school in Rio Vista and, later, South San Francisco. She also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and served as a Sunday school teacher. She is survived by her husband, Stephen, and their four children.

1973Curt Edwards, vice president of the San Diego office of Psomas, an engineering firm, received the Said Khoury Award from the World Federation of Engineering Organizations. He was honored for his contributions to natural disaster relief, having assisted with more than 10 post-earthquake investigations during the past 15 years, as well as helping with the investigation of damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

1974Lorene Jackson has taken her Davis cycling experience to new heights with the release of her latest book, Mountain Biking Lake Tahoe (Globe Pequot Press). When she’s not researching trail guides, Jackson works with Trips for Kids, a national nonprofit that takes disadvantaged youth on mountain bike adventures. • John Reganold, M.S., Ph.D. ’80, has published Organic Agriculture: A Global Perspective (Cornell University Press), which has already garnered considerable praise from scholars in the field. Reganold is Regents Professor of Soil Science at Washington State University.

1975David Wolfe, M.S. ’81, Ph.D. ’84, professor of plant ecology at Cornell University, spoke at a climate change symposium organized by the New York Botanical Garden in September. Wolfe joined a panel of speakers that included former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Wolfe is an authority on the effects of climate change and rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide on plants, soils and ecosystems.

1976Phil Gross received the Yosemite Artist in Residence Award for 2006–07 and was one of a dozen recipients selected from several hundred applicants. The award includes a small studio in the park for one month. Gross will have a solo show in March at the John Natsoulas Gallery in Davis. His work can be viewed at www.philgross.net. • Davor Hrovat, M.S., Ph.D. ’79, was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in February for “contributions to the development of automotive controls that have led to improvement in performance, comfort and safety.” In addition, Hrovat was recently promoted to Henry Ford Technical Fellow, the most prestigious technical expert position at Ford Motor Co. He lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. • Sue Schleifer recently launched Oak Communications, a management consulting and career and personal coaching business in Oakland. For more information, visit www.oakcommunications.com.

1977Martin Bannon, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, was recently assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia to serve as the air attaché. Bannon lives in Kuala Lumpur with his wife, Sharon, while his three children, Martina, Megan and Sean, attend universities in Montana.

Showing 1 to 20 of 104 Next >