Transitions Births, marriages and deaths
Deaths N ATU R ALLY EXT RA O RDINA RY
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Charles Hitt
Charles “Chuck” Hitt, 56, a former resident of Palo Alto, died Sept. 21. He was born in Palo Alto and graduated from Gunn High School in 1971. He was a track and field athlete as well as a dirt-bike racer in his adolescence. He attended Northern Arizona University, then returned to the Bay Area and worked as a welder, salesman and shipping/receiving supervisor. In 1979 he moved to Santa Cruz, Calif., where he met his wife, Sheri. They were married in 1983 and had two children. In 1988 he moved to the town of Felton, where he took pride in his home.
He loved gardening, riding motorcycles and exercising. He was also an avid fan of his kids’ sports. Loved ones recall his sense of humor and caring nature. He is survived by his wife, Sheri Hitt of Felton; children, Bobby and Michelle Hitt; sister, Christine Buss; brother, Vincent Hitt; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.
Ariel Shaker
Ariel Shaker, 21, a Palo Alto native, died Oct. 1 from injuries sustained in a horsebackriding accident. She grew up in Palo Alto and graduated from Palo Alto High School in 2006. While at Paly, she was a member of the rowing team, and had a strong interest in athletics, English and journalism, writing numerous articles on a range of subjects for the Campanile student newspaper. “She was one of these kids who always did more than you expected. She just exceeded expectations,” her journalism teacher, Esther Wojcicki, told the Weekly. She was a senior at Harvard University. She was in the university’s visual and environmental studies program and was known for her bold painting style. A longtime horseback riding enthusiast, she was a member of the Harvard polo team and formerly of the rowing team. The Harvard Crimson student newspaper quoted roommates as saying Shaker loved talking, writing, literature, and spending time with people. In an e-mail to students, Dean of the College Evelynn M. Hammonds cited the words of Shaker’s college interviewer to describe her personality. “She is easily the most personable applicant I’ve interviewed in my years of interviewing for Harvard,” the interviewer wrote. “She is well spoken, poised, engaging, sharp and witty. I’d be shocked if she isn’t a real leader among her peers.” Shaker is survived by her parents Douglas Shaker and Teresa Feiock and a brother, Isaac Shaker, all of Palo Alto.
Robert Spinrad
Robert J. Spinrad, 77, a resident of Palo Alto, died Sept. 2 from Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was a pioneer in computing and director of Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center in the 1970s. He was born in Manhattan, N.Y. He graduated from the Bronx High
Page 16 • October 16, 2009 • Palo Alto Weekly