obituaries
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John “Gus” Gustave Wollschlaeger 03/02/59-07/28/16
John “Gus” Gustave Wollschlaeger, born March 2, 1959, passed away July 28, 2016. He spent most of his 57 years in Santa Barbara, with a few stints in San Jose, serving food and drink at many fine establishments. He loved books, plants, especially roses, hiking, and Yosemite, in particular. He was also very passionate about the following charities: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Southern Poverty Law Center. He is survived by his sisters Maria Cardia, Elizabeth Reese and Jo Frances Wollschlaeger, his nephews Jesse and Alex, and niece Loren. We will be remembering Gus on Saturday, March 4th, at 2:00pm, at Hendry’s Beach. Look for the colorful balloons. At 3:00pm, we will gather at Harry’s Plaza Cafe to share food and drink and more memories of Gus. Please share your memories and thoughts of him on his memorial page on Facebook, which is titled “In Memory of Gus Wollschlaeger”
Michael Alan Vigil 01/19/66-01/24/17
Michael Alan Vigil was born in Santa Barbara to Phyllis Valdez Vigil and Edward R Vigil on Jan 19, 1966. He attended San Roque School, La Colina Jr. High and San Marcos with his life long friend Roger Chackel. Michael enlisted in the Navy in 1975 and served aboard the USS Mobile. He married his first love Kathy Barnett. He and Kathy were blessed with a daughter Haley Dawn, who was the apple of his eye. Anyone who knew him know he was a rabid San Francisco 49’s fan. 18
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Michael passed way the morning of Jan 24, 2017 surrounded by his family. His passing leaves a hole in the heart of many. While courageously battling lung disease for more than 20 years, Michael was diagnosed with lung cancer in the Sept 2016, and was sadly taken from us much too soon. Michael is survived by his father Edward R Vigil of SB, brothers Jerry and Chris of SB, brother Craig of Paso Robles and sister Katherine Dent of Kirksville, MO. He also leaves Kathy Barnett Vigil of SB, daughter Haley Dawn Vigil of LA, niece Sarah McLeod of Kirksville, Mo Brenna Vigil of SB and Caitlynn Vigil of Lompoc. He was preceded in death by his mother Phyllis M. Vigil. A celebration of life and memorial service was held Feb 16, 2017 at Glen Annie Golf Course in Goleta, CA. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Michael Vigil Memorial fund at: pages.giveforward.com
Glenn William “Bill” Elliott 06/03/28-02/10/17
Our beloved Bill died at home on February 10, 2017 after a lengthy illness. Born June 3, 1928 in Wheatland, Wyoming, he grew up on the family farm in Mitchell, Nebraska. His parents were Glenn Weaver and Retta Springer Elliott. The farm was part of land homesteaded and purchased by the three Springer brothers (one of whom was his grandfather) who had passed through the North Platte Valley along the Oregon Trail. Life on the farm taught Bill and his four sisters the value of family, community, and work and instilled a respect for the land and all living things. He earned a B.S in Mathematics and an M.A in Educational Psychology from the University of Nebraska. After serving as a 1st Lieutenant, Field Artillery, in Korea he completed his Ph.D. in Psychology and Education from the University of Denver. Bill, his wife, Dorothy Harnsberger, and their daughters Amy and Elizabeth then moved to California where he was Guidance Coordinator for the San Diego County Department of Education and then School Psychologist for Carlsbad Union School District. In 1963 he began a career in the Goleta Union School District serving as Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Director of Title I,III, and V ESEA projects, and School Psychologist until his retirement
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in 1989. He developed the interdisciplinary model for Goleta’s Child Study Team. Bill married Susan Cherney Ehrlich in 1982 and their combined family included John William Elliott, Bill’s grandson/adopted son and Leigh and Dave Ehrlich. They hosted many exchange students, had wonderful travel experiences and shared a passion for birding. Bill was a master pie baker and indulged his wife by learning to tango. He read avidly, relished the exchange of ideas, and could never resist buying a book of poetry. He taught graduate level courses in Education through the University of California, Santa Barbara, and California Lutheran College and supervised counselor interns from UCSB. He was a licensed Clinical Psychologist and a member of the American Psychological Association, several state counseling and psychological organizations, and the Santa Barbara County Psychological Association. He was an early volunteer supervisor with the Santa Barbara Night Counseling Center and a founding member of the Isla Vista Youth Project. He served on the boards of the local March of Dimes, the Santa Barbara Mental Health Association, and the Goleta Valley Land Trust and was a member of the Santa Barbara County Mental Health Commission. In 2013 he was honored by the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara as a Hero for Justice for his assistance to elderly and disabled clients helping many avoid eviction and homelessness. He was preceded in death by his son John and his sister Eleanor Ganz of Lincoln, Nebraska. He is survived by his wife Sue, his daughters Amy (Victor) Gallant of Cloverdale, Oregon, Elizabeth (Stephen) Green and grandsons Bryan and Brennen Green of Lake Oswego, Oregon, David Ehrlich (Cheryl) of Hercules, California, Leigh Ehrlich (Alexander Ivanov) and granddaughter Aurora Ivanova of Moscow, Russia and Santa Barbara, and sisters Arlene Buffington of Mitchell, Clela Duemler of Madison, Wisconsin, and Donna Swaim of Tucson, Arizona. Bill’s life work was helping people to grow. He had a generous spirit and a warm and caring heart. His school office was well supplied with scrap wood, tools, glue and nails because therapy was not all talk, and he and his kids wore out many pairs of batakas. After retiring from the schools, his clients ranged from toddlers to seniors to group home kids to Santa Barbara’s homeless. He traveled about town in his “therapy” van and designated a picnic table at the beach where the homeless could find him. A modest, unassuming man, Bill would have shrugged his shoulders and described himself simply as a Nebraska farm boy trying to make his way in the world. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date in Santa Barbara. Friends may honor him by
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remembering Planned Parenthood California Central Coast, Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara, Mental Wellness Center, or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara.
George Edward McClintock 01/16/29-02/09/17
It was a different era, when all men felt it their patriotic duty to serve in the US armed forces, risking their lives, for their country. The men, who fought the Korean War, June 25th 1950, were fighting to secure the peace and security, which we know today. But, what of the character of a man … a US Army Corporal, who saves the lives of his men, returning to the battlefield, under enemy fire, until they are secure? George Edward McClintock was such a man. Awarded the Purple Heart, he was always humble about saving the lives of fellow soldiers. Instead, he chose to remember the lives of the men he could not save. At the age of 88, George joined them, passing away peacefully, on February 9, 2017, in Santa Barbara. George was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 16th 1929, to Edwina and George McClintock, Irish immigrants, from County Cork. The family moved to Los Angeles, when he was very young. George had three other siblings, Norma Jean, Dennis and Patricia, now all deceased. He was tall for his age and, at 6’4”, loved to play high school basketball, which led to George’s recruitment, by Santa Clara University. He served in the military and fought in the Korean War, before being honorably discharged and awarded the Purple Heart, in 1952. But, the happiest day of his life was, February 20th 1954, when George married the love of his life, Inez Lucy Fantin, the daughter of Italian immigrants. The young couple moved to Santa Barbara, purchasing a home on the Mesa, where they intended to start a family. They welcomed six children into the world, five daughters and one son, all of who became their pride and joy. Of his many interests, George had a passion for Jazz, founding Santa Barbara’s first jazz club, the Spigot, on upper De La Vina Street. The Spigot was an incredible night spot and through its doors came the jazz greats: Louis Armstrong; Cal Tjader; Dizzy Gillespie; Herbi Mann; Marv Jenkins; Cannonball; Curtis Amy; and the
Ray Charles Band. His wife, Lucy, prepared homemade Italian pasta, serving it, “compliments of the house,” to their patrons. After concerts, George invited musicians to his home, for impromptu jazz sets, while enjoying barbecue steak and more of Lucy’s “old world” Italian cuisine. Theirs was a community of friends and family, loving and supportive, especially through Lucy’s long struggle with MS, which took her life, on January 21st 1989. George’s later years were focused on the achievements of his children and grandchildren, a proud legacy and a lifetime devotion to his family. An Irishman to the heart, he had a great sense of humor and amused everyone with his stories of “the kids.” George loved SB County’s natural beauty… looking out to sea, enjoying incomparable sunsets, along Goleta Beach and long walks, on hiking trails. He undertook one such hike, on the Nawoi Falls trail, near Lompoc, at the youthful age of 84. Everywhere he went, his constant companion, was his service dog, Bruiser, a 20 lb. Pomeranian, resembling a fox. Some of his last words were to the effect, “Make sure to give him love.” For the infinite, loving example he brought to life, strength in family, and enduring joy, we loved George well. George is survived by his six children: Kathleen McClintock Stimson DDS, Diana McClintock, Darlene Reynolds, Cynthia Hagon, Mark McClintock and Norma Howell and ten grandchildren: Jaclyn Hagon, Briana Curry, Chad McClintock, Nathan Hagon, Jacob Reynolds, Maria McClintock, Joseph McClintock, Kelsey Stimson, Jessica Howell and Kathleen Stimson. The Rosary is at Saint Raphael’s Church at 6:30 PM on Thursday February 23rd, 2017. The funeral is Friday February 24th, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Saint Raphael’s Church with a reception to follow, location to be announced at the funeral.
Robin S. Gauss 02/28/47-02/17/17
Robin S. Gauss left us unexpectedly 2/17/2017. He was a diver, pilot, surfer, friend, and mentor to many. The entire community of Santa Barbara has felt the shock wave! The family wants to thank everyone for their love, support and prayers during this difficult time! A memorial service is being planned. Please watch social media and next week’s Independent for details.