Lucy McNeely Tyler
Frank B. Cliff
April 8, 1927 - Feb. 18, 2012 Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge and loving father Frank B. Cliff passed away earlier this month in his home Feb. 18, 2012. The Honorable “Just call me Frank” was 84 years old and a Palo Alto resident since 1939. Prior to 1939 Frank served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in Alaska. Frank attended grade school in Palo Alto starting at Jordan Middle School and then onto Palo Alto High School. He went to college at Pomona then onto San Jose State University, where he met his wife and a loving mother, Shirley (Lee) Cliff (deceased Nov. 13, 2007). After graduating from Hastings Law school in San Francisco in 1952, he joined the law firm of Cliff and Nowinski Inc. in Palo Alto. At age 50 he was appointed to the bench by Gov. Edmond G. Brown Jr. in January 1978. Judge Cliff served on the Superior Court from 1978 to 2002. He has been quoted as being one of the most conscientious and disciplined judges. He would often stay up until 3-4 a.m. working on a case, and out the door to work by 8 a.m. Quote: “No judge worked harder then Frank Cliff, and no one enjoyed the work more.”
Frank Cliff was held with high regard and respect within the legal and judicial community. He had a reputation for doing things his own way, which his daughter Kelly will confirm, “My dad was calling the shots all the way to the end.” For those who knew him personally, they will all agree that his joie de vivre was his family, friends, great sense of humor, good food accompanied with a nice bottle of “1958 Chateau Latour” along with good jazz music. We feel so blessed to have had such an amazing man in this community, a loving and supportive father. He will be truly missed! He is survived by his son, David Cliff of Palo Alto; daughter, Kelly Cliff Worcester, Hawaii; and his granddaughter, Megan Cliff of Palo Alto. “Celebration Of A Great Life” will be held on Thursday, April 12, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Lucie Stern Community Center (Fireside Room), 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto (cross street Embarcadero Road). PA I D
OBITUARY
Longtime Mountain View resident Lucy Tyler, 91, passed away peacefully on March 14th, 2012, at a health care facility in Sunnyvale, due to declining health and following a short illness after a stroke. She was a member of the Waverley Writers poetry group in Palo Alto, served twice as president of the League of Women Voters of Los Altos-Mountain View, and worked for Reach to Recovery, Midpeninsula Citizens for Fair Housing and the American Red Cross. She is survived by her sons, Steven K. Tyler of Mountain View and J. Alan Tyler of Reno, NV, two grandchildren, Allison and Brian Tyler, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, April 1st, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 505 E. Charleston Road in Palo Alto. A reception will follow in the church’s Fireside Room. PA I D
O B I T UA RY
Robert Thurman Albertson November 7, 1943-March 14, 2012
Robert “Bob” Thurman Albertson passed away unexpectedly on March 14, 2012. He was born in Palo Alto on Nov. 7, 1943. He attended Ravenswood High School in East Palo Alto. Bob served in the Air Force in the 1960s. He attended UCP School of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1978. He enjoyed both his patients and staff at his office in Oakland, Calif. Bob will be missed by his beloved wife, Joan; loving children, Michael and Meagan; his mother, sister and many dear nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to a Veterans charity of your choice. Internment at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine, Calif. Services have been held. PA I D
O B I T UA RY
Robert Gordon Stewart Robert Gordon Stewart, age 64 of San Francisco died peacefully with family at his side at Stanford University Hospital in the early morning of February 17, 2012, from the result of injuries suffered from a fall the evening before. Bob was a loving and loyal husband, brother, nephew, uncle, coworker, friend and neighbor. He had a deep love and affection for animals, particularly his wonderful Goldens. His sincere interest in people and his great sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Bob was born on November 20, 1947 in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada the son of Gordon Turnbull Stewart and Bernice Rhoda Beardall both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his devoted aunt, Kathleen Fisher. On June 23, 1984, in Los Altos, California Bob married his best friend Carol Tooker. In addition to his wife Carol, Bob is survived by his sister Patricia Ann (husband Steven) McNeely of Sacramento; uncles Weston Clifford Fisher of Palo Alto and James Beardall (wife Liliaine) of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada; his cousin Weston Arnold Fisher (wife Shirley) of Stow, Massachusetts; parent–in–laws Edwin and Pauline Tooker; sister–in–laws Jean Elizabeth (husband Ted) Stephens of Palo Alto, Christine Ruth (husband Roger) Thomas of Lake Oswego, Oregon; nephews Matthew Wilson Stephens of Palo Alto, Brian Keith (wife Dianne) Stephens of Redwood City; nieces, Megan Elizabeth Thomas, and Jacqueline Marie Thomas both of Lake Oswego, Oregon and Brenda Kay Page 12ÊUÊ >ÀV ÊÓÎ]ÊÓä£ÓÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii Þ
(husband Scot) Smithee of Hollister. Bob graduated from Arizona State University in 1973, was an owner of Enzo’s Ristorante in the Embarcadero Center and was most recently employed as a Sales Representative for Southern Wine & Spirits of Northern California. Bob had many friends in the restaurant and food industry. He was a stanch Stanford, San Francisco Giants, and 49’s fan and loved walking his Golden Retriever, Button, in his North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco. Bob was a member of the Teamsters Union, Local # 853. The family greatly appreciates the compassion and caring of the staff at Stanford University Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit and Neurology Department. Memorials on behalf of Bob may be given to the Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary www. home w a rd b ou nd golde n s .or g / don at i ng / howto or any other charity of your choice. A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be left for the family at paloaltoonline.com/obituaries or by leaving an e-mail for the family at rgsmemorial@aol. com. PA I D
OBITUARY
Good for Business. Good for You. Good for the Community.