IN MEMORY
hand.” The Bixby name goes back to the 1850s when members of the pioneering family drove 2,000 sheep across the country to Hollister. Eventually some of the family settled in the Long Beach/ Los Alamitos area and delved into ranching, agriculture WILLY CHAMBERLAIN and other businesses. Interested in politics and in preserving agriculture, Willy Born on the Fourth of July 1940, ran and won Santa Barbara’s Third District Supervisor seat. William (Willy or Firecracker as he He served for 18 months and helped produce the lease was some times called) Bradford management agreement between the county and the Santa Ynez Chamberlin passed away at his ranch Airport Authority, a non- profit membership organization. Later home, surrounded by his family, on July he served for many years on the airport board, and then became 28, 2015. Willy loved everything about Rancho Chairman. As a long time member of the Agricultural Advisory committee, he made sure that everything was completely right. Los Potreros and had a life long affair As one member said, “His experience was invaluable but he was with it. His father, Ted Chamberlin had purchased the ranch so darn particular.” in 1929 and Willy, his brothers and sisters grew up riding the Willy’s college social club, The Tortugas, held frequent range, herding cattle, bucking hay and changing sprinkler pipe. reunions at the ranch. One year they hatched a plan to create In 1962 he graduated from Claremont McKenna College where an endowment for students who were in good academic he played football, skirted trouble, joined a social club, The Tortugas, and enrolled in the ROTC. Upon graduation, the new standing, and who play “smart,” work “smart,” enjoy life, push boundaries and look you in the eye at all times. Lieutenant was stationed at Ft Eustis, Va. for two years. In 1986 he was a Picadore Maverick in Rancheros as well He returned to Los Olivos to help manage the ranch and as a Ranch member of the Santa Barbara Trail Riders. He threw himself into community affairs. He served on the Los liked parades and racing his mule, Tia, whom he called “his Olivos and Midland School Boards and was President of the mainstay.” He often trailered his animals up to Mammoth or to Santa Barbara County Cattlemen’s Association. a family camp in the Sierras where he could amble through the Willy was one of 30 young men chosen throughout pine trees and rendezvous with his cousins. Willy spent his life California for the second class of the newly created California supporting agricultural land preservation, helping others and Agriculture Leadership Foundation. The two- to three-year collecting friends. program is designed to help train up and coming leaders in the He is survived by his wife, Ann Peterson Chamberlin, California agricultural community. from whom he is separated, Jerrie Gove, his companion, of Elected to the Bixby Land Board in 1965, he was in the 11 years, his former wife, Gail Wagenseil Gelles, his daughter, midst of in his 50th year on the Board and in the 10th year of Ann Martha Chamberlin and her husband, Sami Revah, his his Chairmanship of the Board. A fellow board member “had son, Russell Chamberlin and his fiancee, Monika McCoy, two great admiration for his ability to listen and to lead with an even grandchildren, Olivia and Layne Chamberlin, his sister Sarah Chamberlin and her husband, Ben Bottoms, his brother Fred CHARLEY ROYAL Chamberlin and his wife, Johanna and a nephew and several Charles Wayne Royal, Bakersfield, was born April 21, 1945 nieces. He passed away on June 29. He was predeceased by his daughter Beth Chamberlin and Royal, a 50-year employee and “yardman” for Western helped to establish, The Beth Chamberlin Endowment for Stockman’s Market in McFarland, was known for his Cultural Understanding under the auspices of UCSB’s Arts dedication to the livestock community in Kern County. He and Letters. Donations can be made in his honor to the Beth is survived by his wife Linda, also a dedicated employee of Chamberlin Endowment, to the CMC Tortuga Endowment or Western Stockman’s Market. Graveside services were held in to the Santa Ynez Historical Society.
his honor on July 2.
WEdding Bells
RETALLICK & TRENNEPOHL Keela Retallick, Ph.D., and Chris Trennepohl were married July 4 in Morro Bay. The bride, who is a beef cattle specialist at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, is the daughter of Kevin and Keri Retallick of Glen Haven, Wis. The groom is the owner of True North Cattle and Consulting. His parents are Tom and Judy Trennepohl of Middletown, Ind. The couple makes their home in Morro Bay.
MCNAMES & ANSTEAD Claire McNames and Richard Anstead were married July 18 in Etna. The bride was formerly a staff member at the California Cattlemen’s Association and is currently employed by University of California, Davis. Her parents are Tim and Judy McNames of Etna. The groom currently works as a pest control advisor for Centers & Associates. His parents are Rod and Sharon Anstead of Arbuckle. The couple has made their first home in Arbuckle. 92 California Cattleman September 2015
FARRAH & SCHOHR Amanda Farrah and Steven Schohr, Oroville, were married June 20 in Oroville alongside best man Joseph Schohr. The bride, an agriculture education instructor and volleyball coach in Marysville is the daughter of Kathleen Mcnair-Farrah, Redondo Beach and the late Charles Farrah. Parents of the groom are Carl and Susan Schohr of Schohr Herefords, Gridley. The couple has made their home in Oroville. DOWLING & JOHNSON Theodora Dowling and Dave Johnson, both of Etna were married Aug. 7 in Etna. The bride, who works as an agriculture freelance writer was formely employed by the Public Lands Council in Washington, D.C. She is the daughter of Bernard and Beverly Dowling, Etna. The groom is the son of Mark and Shelly Johnson, also of Etna. The couple makes their first home in Etna