Class of 1970 in Memoriam of the many who have passed before us……
David Akers,
Cancer 2011
Memories of Pat Balfe
“The last time I saw Pat Balfe was the 40th Reunion (or was it the 30th?). He was terribly pale, which I knew was not a good sign. He rode his big motorcycle to the evening event at the Foothill Club. I remember him revving the engine as he sped off, waving back at us. The next day was the picnic at Alpine Inn in Portola Valley, very near my house. Pat was there with his motorcycle again. For some reason I didn’t have my car, so Pat offered to give me a ride home on the back of his bike. Such a rush, especially for someone who does not ride motorcycles! Pat was very careful because I didn’t have a helmet. I totally trusted him on the windy road to get me home safe. When I heard of his passing right after the reunion, I was not too surprised given how pale he was. I’m glad for the memory of him and his kindness to me.”
— Gale Smith
Donna (Blosk) Moyles, 2014
Memories of David Brooding
David Brooding died from cancer in 1987.
—Bree (Brooding) Klotter
Click for photos
He passed away from cancer in 2016, I think it was. He was a good surfer and
a funny guy. I always had fun when around himPhoto 1 - Tom Brown
Photo 2 - from L - Mark Smith, David Dalton, Jim Riveland and Tom Brown. From the SHS class of '70 reunion in 2010.
Photo 3 - Tom with his wife, Nancy.
Photo 4 - Tom with a surfboard.
—David Dalton
Susan (Brubaker) Bjerrum
Memories of John Buchanan
“John Buchanan died of an aneurysm.”
— Bob Gould
Christine Carriker, Cancer 1990’s
Memories of John Chapman and Jay High
“When tragic things like losing John Chapman and Jay happen, it reminds me of just how many blessings I have in my life. May you Rest In Peace John and Jay!”
—Darcy Horton
John Chapman died December 2020, swept out to sea while fishing.
Frank Cordisco, 11/20/16
Paul Cordisco, Brain Cancer 2010
Memories of Rick Dailey
“Rick Dailey passed away in 2012 from liver cancer.”
—John Hulsey
Memories of Thomas (Tom) DeCecco
“I did some research online and was sad to see that Tom died in October of 1970. He was working at a gas station at the time of his death. Unfortunately, he was the victim of a heinous murder. I was unable to find any articles that provided any information of the perpetrator(s) or why he was targeted. So sad to see his life cut short for no apparent reason.”
—Nina (Pedersen) Correa
Sandy (Doyle) Younkin, Pancreatic cancer 2010
Ellen (Drinkwater) Claiborne, 2016 Denver, CO
Arturo Fallico, Flu 2017
Kit (Finnegan) McIntyre, Brain Cancer
Memories of Glen Glaser
“Glen Glaser was possibly the first person I actually knew who died. I remember thinking it was so unfair that such a young, handsome, truly kind person should become fatally ill. I remember Glen was with a group of us at the bowling alley one evening. He was already losing his hair from chemo. We had two lanes going to accommodate our group. Glen wanted to play both lanes and we all gladly obliged him. It was as if he was trying to fit as much living into the limited time he had left.”
— Gale Smith
“Gives me chills to relive this. I remember when Glenn Glaser came over to my house once, late 8th grade I think. We weren’t particularly close. But he knocked on my door and I didn’t recognize him at the door. He was rail thin and had very little hair. I don’t remember what kind of cancer he had but the poor boy lost the battle.”
— Bob Gould
Memories of Jay Scott High
“Jay Scott High was born on Leaps Years, and passed in the 50th year of his high school graduation. Jay was struck by a series of strokes a few years ago and immediately could no longer speak. I shared our last experience watching sports on TV. He remained generally happy. I had been in touch with him just before his sudden demise. Jay was always playful and a helluva third baseman.”
— As relayed to Darcy Horton by Jay’s brother Casey
Mike Gradis, 2016 per information from Bruce Gilbaugh
Memories of Betsy Horvath
“When I moved to Saratoga in the 7th grade, Betsy was assigned to show me around my unfamiliar world.
She immediately made me feel comfortable as she was trustworthy and kind. She was highly intelligent but had no pride in having a superior mind. She instinctively knew when to “let me go” to face things on my own and yet I still sensed her watchful caring. I miss her and I’m thankful for Betsy’s parents who taught her to show manners, love, and respect towards others.”
— Vicky (Harper) Robinson
“I didn’t know Betsy Horvath well, but I remember her sweet smile and gentle soul. She was also very smart and I knew she would go on to do important things. Alas, not to be and our world is less with her loss.”
— Gale Smith
Dave McCue, 2007 Reading PA
Jim McWhirter
Gwyn O’Conner, 2011
Mike Powers
Bill Powk
Kathleen (Roller) Weissenberger, Breast Cancer 2011
I first met Kathleen Roller in 8th Grade when my family moved to Saratoga. Her girlfriends nicknamed her “Rollah”, a rather hip moniker for such a sweet girl, but it made sense because she was also fiercely intelligent and funny. She was kind to me and gently signaled acceptance “you should hang out with us more”. My 13 year old tall self was so grateful! We remained cordial classmates and I always liked her. Freshman year at Berkeley, we ran into one another on campus, she on the arm of a handsome young man who solicitously held an umbrella over her head in the misty rain, her soulful face and huge eyes straight out of a pre-Rafaelite painting. Sweet as ever. Seeing her with a nice guy pleased this fellow late-bloomer :) Later, at one of our reunions when she learned I was an RN she said without a trace of irony “Oh, you’re one of those beautiful nurses!” Huh?? Okay, it’s coming from Kathleen, I’ll take it! I always remember her double digit 8/8 birthday every year and think of her fondly. Some people just channel love and that was Kathleen.
—Katy Lind Evelyn
Rob Shriner, 2017 Denver, CO
Lori Sunblad
Ray Sweeney
Memories of Jan (Sprague) Hahn
“I believe Jan died of recurrence of breast cancer that went to her brain. I went to her memorial service on my birthday. ……Very nice.”
—As relayed to Lisa Mayerhofer by Vicki Holliman
Chris Welsh
Memories of Phil Worthen
Click for photos
“Here are some photos of my good friend and 1970 SHS graduate, Phil Worthen who passed away in 2016 due to a sudden heart attack.
Photo 1 from left, Jim Riveland, Louise Mahon, Terry Hilgers, Phil Worthen from the 2010 reunion.
Photo 2 is Phil at Cantamar Beach, Baja in the summer of 1969.
Photo 3, Phil surfing at Brooks Street Beach, Laguna Beach, CA summer 1969.
Photo 4 is Memorial for Phil at Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz
—David Dalton