Ray B. Anderson – Navy Veteran
Ray B. Anderson passed away in Santa Rosa on October 9, 2008 at
the age of 85. He is survived by Nadine, his college sweetheart and
loving wife of nearly 60 years; three children, Wayne (Laurie)
Anderson of Tehachapi, CT, Connie Anderson and Mark Anderson both
of Torrance, CA and grandson Erik Anderson of Napa, sister,
Margaret Wilford of Vero Beach, FL and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his father Peter who came from Sweden, through
Ellis Island, as a teenager and gained his citizenship by serving
in the U.S. Navy in WWI and his mother Jane Hughes who was an Army
Nurse in WWI; a sister Ida Toohey and brother Ted Anderson. Born
August 23, 1923 in Ames, Iowa and raised in the small town of
Gilbert where he attended school; playing baseball and basketball,
and founding an FFA Chapter earning him the first Agricultural
Engineering Scholarships awarded by Sears Roebuck to Iowa State
College. 2 years later the draft called him into service and he
hitch-hiked into Des Moines and enlisted in the Navy. There he was
accepted into the Naval Aviation Cadet program to pursue his dream
of becoming a pilot. Following the war he returned to college and
received his degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Ray moved to
California to work for Northrop Aircraft Co. at the time of the
original “Flying Wing”. He joined an active reserve squadron at Los
Alamitos so he could continue to fly. In 1948 Ray and Nadine were
married in Hollywood in the Chapel at the Chapman Park Hotel on the
“Bride and Groom” radio show. Then in 1950 he received a telegram
ordering him back to active duty for 2 more years during the Korean
Conflict. Returning to California he worked for Douglas Aircraft
Co. and attended graduate school night classes at USC, earning his
Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Still a pilot he flew
his Classic Cessna 195 with the Pilots West Flying Club. Many years
later he would host a Healdsburg fly-in for that group. Ray flew
his family all over the country on countless camping trips, special
events and family visits. Ray retired in 1981 moving to Healdsburg
to live and farm near the countryside airport so could continue to
fly his classic Cessna. A long time member of the International 195
Club, he hosted a 3 day fly-in in 1985; bringing 34 classic 195’s
to the Healdsburg airport. He planted a Kiwifruit Vineyard and
pioneered a fresh frozen Kiwi-apple juice which was sold along with
the fruit at local farmers markets, grocery stores and produce
stands. Ready for a second retirement he became a Zinfandel grape
grower for Quivira Winery. Always a history buff and always
carrying a camera he became historian for the Pacific Coast Air
Museum. A celebration of Ray’s life will be held in his hangar at
the Healdsburg Airport, 100 Heidelberger Way off Lytton Springs
Road on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 2 pm. Bring your memories and
come help us say goodbye. Memorial donations may be made in Ray’s
name to the Pacific Coast Air Museum, 2230 Becker Blvd., Santa
Rosa, CA 95403.
James “Scott” Westfall – Remembrance will be held Oct.
25
James “Scott” Westfall, age 46, passed away suddenly Oct. 3,
2008. Scott was preceded in passing by his mother Leitha and his
sister Lorie. Scott is survived by his two children, C. “Whitney”
Westfall, 19, and James “Call” Westfall, 12. Scott is also survived
by his father Jim Westfall, his siblings Dawn, Kevin, Jerri, Cindi,
Dianna, Debbie and Buck, as well as many other close family and
friends. Please join us as we remember Scott’s life Oct. 25, 2008
at 11 a.m. at the Lake Sonoma Picnic Grounds across from the
Hatchery.
Bernard Wilbur Parks, Sr. – Lifelong sheep
rancher
Bernard Wilbur Parks, Sr., lifelong sheep rancher and Sonoma
Coast native of the Stewarts Point area, passed away Oct. 6, 2008,
just three weeks short of his 95th birthday. He was preceded in
death by his son Albert Gary Parks and sisters Martha, Mildred,
Ethel and Carmelita. Bernard is survived by Bernard Wilbur Parks
Jr. (Annette), Portland OR; Alice Garrett (Ed) and Calvin Parks,
family ranch, Stewarts Point; sisters Lucille Roos OR, Betty Jane
Parks, OR and brother Harry John Parks, Sacramento; grandchildren
Lisa, Stacey and Tiffany; seven great-grandchildren and one
great-great-grandson and many nieces and nephews.
Bernard was born in Healdsburg to Harry Bernard McNall Parks and
Lavona Martha Critchlow. In 1919 the family moved to a ranch on
Miller Ridge near Stewarts Point, CA, where he lived and worked for
88 years. He attended a local one-room school, completing eight
grades in six years. He always regretted not being able to attend
high school. He was an avid reader who taught himself. He excelled
in geology and surveying. He worked for the county on roads and
bridges across the Gualala River during the 1930s, including the
South Fork, North Fork and Haupt Creek bridges. An avid hunter and
fisherman, he built a 16-foot boat during WWII and got the only
commercial fishing license for our area of the coast, and fished
off shore. He was a noted Steelhead fisherman, antique collector
and photographer. Bernard kept his ranch intact supplementing his
income, sheep shearing, selling tan bark and apples. He worked his
timber, selling some, making split posts and pickets out of the old
growth. He was an expert timber hewer and a good steward of the
land. He led a pioneer life without electric power or phone for
many years. He raised four children mostly by himself and saw that
they got their schooling. For the last nine years, he lived at the
home on the ranch of Alice and Ed. “Grand Daddy,” you will be
greatly missed, but your “adventuresome spirit” lives on in the
rest of us.
Services will be held at Annapolis Cemetery, Annapolis, CA, with
visiting from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. with graveside service beginning
at 12 p.m., Sunday, October 19, 2008. Family asks in lieu of
flowers that donations be made to Annapolis Cemetery, 36855
Annapolis Rd., Annapolis, CA, 95412, or your favorite charity.
John Richard Gerhardt – Avid cyclist and
historian
The Lord took John Richard Gerhardt from us on Sunday, September
14. John, a dedicated bicyclist, was seized by cardiac arrest while
cycling in the Arizona Desert near his last duty assignment, Fort
Huachuca, Arizona. John was 52 years of age. By all appearance, his
untimely death was sudden, without pain and while doing what he
truly loved.
Born in San Francisco, CA, on November 22, 1955, he graduated
from Westmoor High School in Daly City in 1973. Upon graduation, he
entered Fresno State University and graduated in 1977 with a degree
in criminal justice administration.
He is survived by his loving wife, Phanarat, and beloved
daughter, Yanatchara (Jenny) of Buri Ram, Thailand. Survived also
by his loving parents Carol Gerhardt-Smith (Norman) of Healdsburg
and Jack Gerhardt (Pati) of Clear Lake, brother of Jeanne Favro
(Barry) of San Mateo, Cheryl Rettig (John) of Healdsburg and
Jeffrey Gerhardt of Healdsburg. Admired and adored uncle of Gina,
Nick and Barrett Favro, Katie and Zachary Rettig, and Gregory and
Angela Gerhardt.
Putting his long range goal of law enforcement on hold, he opted
to serve his country first by earning a commission as a Second
Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Serving first as an infantry
platoon commander, he subsequently chose to further his career at
sea as a combat cargo officer where he planned and directed
amphibious landings. He ultimately rose to the rank of Captain in
the Marine Corps.
In 1981, he returned to civilian life and began his law
enforcement career with the Novato and then Daly City police
departments. In 1984, he earned the opportunity to pursue his
ultimate ambition of serving his country as a field agent with the
State Department. His career took him to all corners of the globe
where he served his country with pride and honor in many difficult
places and situations.
A man of diverse interests, he pursued his profession as well as
his avocations with a like fervor. An avid historian, he read
military history and became respectedly knowledgeable in military
conflicts, particularly the Civil War and several pre-20th century
European conflicts. His passion for cycling stirred him to enter
and complete many cross-country and hundred-mile races. His
fondness for dogs led him to win awards for dog breeding.
Though never a permanent resident of Sonoma County, he
vacationed here as a youth and always considered it his home to the
extent that where ever stationed abroad, if his assignment allowed,
he would return to take his nieces and nephews to the Sonoma County
Fair and spend time at the Russian River.
John travelled the world as a Marine and with the Foreign
Service and served us all in at least 45 different countries. He
was an adventurer, always ready for a challenge and a man of his
word. John could always be counted on to do what he committed to
and to do the right thing. His spirit will live within all us who
were fortunate enough to know him. John, you are missed!
A memorial service to honor John’s memory and life will be held
at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (Healdsburg) on Saturday,
Oct. 18, at 12 p.m.
Dorothy Lirely – Housewife, mother, choir
master
Dorothy Lirely died in her sleep at Fircrest Convalescent
Hospital in Sebastopol on Oct. 7, at the age of 94. She was born in
Gordonville, Missouri in 1914. She was proceeded in death by her
husband, the late Samuel Albert Lirely, and is survived by her son,
Christopher, of Occidental, and her daughter, Norma-Deen, Clayton,
Missouri; two grandsons, Brian and Clay, and three
great-grandchildren.
Following the death of her husband in 1994, Lirely moved to
Sebastopol to be near her son and family. Prior to an Alzheimer’s
diagnosis in early 2006 she resided at the home of her son and his
partner, Michael Samuel, in Occidental.
In her younger days, she was active in church work and was twice
president of the Methodist Women’s Society of Christian Service.
She was first and foremost a housewife and mother but was also an
accomplished church organist and choirmaster. In Sebastopol, she
was a member of the United Methodist Church and a frequent
participant in area senior activities.
Following a memorial service in St. Louis, she will join her
late husband in the family plot at Oak Grove Cemetery on Saint
Charles Rock Road in St. Louis County. In lieu of flowers,
donations suggested to The Yosemite Fund, San Francisco, or
Alzheimer’s research.
Hannis Taylor Webb III – Brother to Morgan and
Tal
Hannis Taylor Webb III — Bubba — died on Oct. 7, 2008. Born on
Nov. 21, 2001, Bubba was the son of Hannis Taylor Webb Jr. and
Karen Webb, and little brother to Morgan and Tal Webb. He is
survived by many other family members and friends.
He loved to skateboard, boogieboard, bicycle, and play with his
friends. But most of all he loved playing with his sisters and
being with his mom and dad. Bubba was diagnosed with Pulmonary
Hypertension at the age of three months and lived for almost seven
years.
Donations may be made in his name to the Pulmonary Hypertension
Association.
