Transitions Births, marriages and deaths
Deaths Steven Geiger Steven Thomas Geiger, 79, a resident of Palo Alto, died of pneumonia Jan. 18. He was born was born Jan. 23, 1931, in Budapest, Hungary. When he was 13, he and his family survived the Nazi occupation by hiding with 3,000 other Jews for almost three months inside the infamous Glass House. Because he faced imminent death more than once and at such an early age, he no longer feared it but rather felt that the remainder of his life was a bonus, loved ones said. After another decade of Communist rule, he also learned the value of freedom, his wife recalled. In 1956, he graduated from the Technical University in Budapest with a degree in electrical engineering. By late October of that year, the Hungarian Revolution erupted in the streets. On the night of Nov. 11, 1956, he escaped into the freedom of Austria. After a two-year stay in Australia, he immigrated to the United States. He worked as an elec-
trical engineer in the field of satellite communication at various companies, retiring in 2001 from CPI in Palo Alto. The anchor of his large extended family, he was kind, steadfast, intelligent, handsome, funny, eccentric, philosophical, and extremely lovable, loved ones said. He valued open minds and respect for others. He loved classical music, history, desserts (especially the pies his wife made him nearly every week of their 30-year marriage), birding, ping-pong and films. His greatest love, however, was his family. In the weeks before his death, he said, “This is what I have done best and am most proud of.” He had friends all over the world, including several who made the trip from Switzerland just to attend what would have been his 80th birthday party. He is survived by his wife, Kristin of Palo Alto; son Marc Geiger of Sherman Oaks; daughter Nicole Geiger Laddish of Berkeley; stepdaughters Jennifer Morrill of Emerald Hills and Jessica Prentiss of San Carlos; and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Eva
Horvath of Budapest, Hungary; and several nieces and cousins. A memorial service is being planned. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank or www.KDFC.com would be appreciated by the family.
Clarice Vaughan Clarice Haylett Vaughan, 88, former medical-program director of the San Mateo County Department of Mental Health, died Oct. 5, 2010. She was born July 22, 1922, and grew up in Long Beach, Calif. She graduated with honors from both Stanford University (1949) and Stanford Medical School (1951). She worked for the Marin County Health Department as a public health officer for a number of years before returning to school to complete her psychiatric training at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. She returned to California and became the medical-program director of the San Mateo County Department of Mental Health at Chope Hospital. She retired in 1985. She was married to Dr. Warren Taylor Vaughan, Jr. Together they traveled the world, attending conferences, visiting clinics and presenting lectures. She also as a board
A memorial celebration will be held in Portola Valley Feb. 5, 2011. For information on this event, contact rvaughan@mpcsd.org. Any donations may be made in her name to Pathways Hospice Foundation.
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BIRTHS Amy DiFabio and Mason Stillwell of Palo Alto, a son, Dec. 3. Kym Le and Carter Youngblood, Jr., of Los Altos, a daughter, Dec. 14. Jennifer and Douglas Hirzel of Menlo Park, a daughter, Dec. 18. Jennifer and Artur Tekiel of East Palo Alto, a son, Dec. 28. Tracy and Nathan Luehr of Stanford, a son, Jan. 4.
Minliang Zao and Christoper Schilling of Menlo Park, a daughter, Jan. 4. Rachel and Knute Ream of Menlo Park, a son, Jan. 4. Davina Brown and Kendal Peters of East Palo Alto, a daughter, Jan. 11. Anne Sophie Beraud and Jean Marc Olivot of Menlo Park, a daughter, Jan. 27.
Hermann Richard Ebenhoech
Robert George Campbell (Bob) Born March 12, 1919; died January 24, 2011 Bob was a native of San Francisco and a third generation Californian, born to Ella Dowling Campbell and Elmer G. Campbell. He was a beloved spouse of 67 years to Jeanne Martell Campbell and devoted father to Diane Campbell and Susan Campbell. Known as “Papa,” he was a proud grandfather of Jeannie Campbell-Urban, Edie Campbell-Urban, and Mackenzie Campbell. He was the loving brother of William C. Campbell of San Rafael, CA and adored Uncle Bob to five nephews and nieces. Bob was the great great grandson of Benjamin Campbell, founder of the town of Campbell, CA, a fact that made him very proud. He was a graduate of Lowell High School in San Francisco, the University of California at Berkeley, class of 1941, and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, class of 1947. As part of the Greatest Generation, Bob served in World War II as Commanding Officer of a Navy minesweeper during the New Guinea and Philippines invasions. His entire business career was spent in the property and casualty insurance business. At the time of his retirement in 1984 (on the
member on a number of institutions, including the Common College of Woodside. Her hobbies included photography, fly fishing, bird-watching, gardening and music. When not organizing photos, checking her garden on Farmville or planning a dinner party, she could often be found with her numerous cats or enjoying the squirrels who shared her bird-feeder, loved ones said. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Anne Vaughan of Portola Valley; son, Richard Vaughan of Redwood City; and five granddaughters.
day his first granddaughter was born) he was President of Rathbone King and Seeley, a firm of Insurance Company Managers, and President of the American Star Insurance Company. In insurance company activities, he served as President of the Northern California Chapter of the Society of Property and Casualty Underwriters (CPCU), President of the Insurance Company Managers Association, President of the Insurance Forum of San Francisco, and Chairman of the San Francisco Insurance Educational Association. Bob’s community activities included serving as Foreman pro tem of the 1974-75 San Mateo County Grand Jury, Vice President and board member of Sequoia Hospital Foundation, and Charter member of Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club (former vice president and board member). Bob was an avid gardener, spending countless hours landscaping his homes as well as those of his daughters. He leaves behind many beautiful gardens for all of us to enjoy. Bob also enjoyed the hobbies of golf, fishing, tennis, dominoes and traveling. Most of all, Bob loved the time he spent with “his girls,” who will miss him terribly. A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 29, at St. Denis Church, 2250 Avy Avenue, Menlo Park, with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room, Hanna Boys Center, or Sequoia Hospital Foundation. PA I D
O B I T UA RY
Hermann Richard Ebenhoech, 78, died unexpectedly on January 6th, 2011 at his Palo Alto home of 45 years. Many will miss his generous smile and sparkling eyes including his loving wife, Lisa AhornerEbenhoech, children, Adelheid (Daniel Thomas), Gebhard and Otmar, grandchildren, Theo and Lauren, and his former wife, Johanna Liebmann. Hermann’s life will be celebrated at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church in Menlo Park on February 6th at 2 PM. Please join with us to celebrate his memory. In lieu of flowers please donate to Santa Cruz Chorale, Chanticleer or a charity of your choice. PA I D
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