6 minute read
In Memoriam
IN MEMORIAM
David Colloff February 2, 1945 – March 11, 2022 — Delle Colloff November 12, 1947 – June 19, 2022 Former longtime Crossroads teachers David and Delle Colloff passed away in 2022—David on March 11 at the age of 77, and his wife, Delle, on June 19 at the age of 74. They met as students in UCLA’s theater arts program and were married for 52 years.
David taught Upper School drama and was also an English instructor, mentoring students and helping to create and staff the School’s writing center. He developed and co-taught a 10th grade program in history and English and was known for his special expertise teaching Shakespeare. His passion left a significant impact on those around him, including his students in the summer conservatory program The Young People’s Shakespeare Company.
Ashley Eden Kessler ’96 still recalls her first interaction with David at an audition. She was painfully shy, but David patiently coaxed her onstage to dissect a passage together. Soon, Ashley found herself performing the scene, transformed by David’s ability to help students discover meaning and rhythm in the written word. He created a sense of home for students, giving Ashley a confidence that she continued to carry with her. “David was the gentle patriarch, guiding us with such tenderness and an almost invisible hand that we felt bold and accomplished and independent,” said Ashley. “What daring and vision he had. I hope David remembered the frightened, meek girl he first met and credited himself with that profound
David and Delle with their daughters, Anya Colloff ’89 (far left) and Emily Ditkovski ’97
transformation. I do. I will always remember him and hold him close in my heart with fondness and immense gratitude.”
Delle began her career at Crossroads teaching Middle School drama. She and David were professional actors and screenwriters and were instrumental in creating the School’s highly respected Drama Department. Delle then taught kindergarten and third grade at the Elementary School, where she was an assistant teacher from 1988-91 before serving as a head teacher for the next nine years. Her classroom was known as a place of magic and joy, where she ensured that the School’s newest students felt at home. Her inventive and hands-on teaching approach gave students the opportunity to learn life lessons, sometimes unknowingly. Delle could see deeply into children and loved them with her whole heart and an insightful intuition.
Joanie Martin, who served as the director of the Elementary School for 29 years, remembers Delle as a creative, empathetic and loving teacher who was adored by her students. “I was observing a lesson,” recalled Joanie. “Delle came through the classroom door holding a huge handful of different kinds of paper—different colors, sizes, materials. She tripped, and the papers flew everywhere. The kids were all upset, and so was I. She asked the students if they could sort them out and put the papers in order somehow. Of course, she had planned the whole thing! The lesson was about attributes and classifying. The kids dove in, loved the lesson and helped out their teacher! It was brilliant.”
Crossroads will be forever grateful for David’s and Delle’s immense contributions to the School. The couple is survived by daughters Anya Colloff ’89 and Emily Ditkovski ’97; sons-in-law Brad and Jacob; and grandchildren Sam, Isaac and Amelia.
IN MEMORIAM
Chuck Ice November 4, 1946 – May 25, 2022
Chuck Ice passed away on May 25 at the age of 75. In 1981, Chuck was recruited as a P.E. teacher and varsity baseball coach by then-Athletics Director Rich Makoff. During his 11-year tenure as coach, the team had a 211-95 overall record and won two CIF titles. Chuck became athletics director in 1982, a role he held for 29 years. He grew the Middle and Upper School athletics programs from 15 teams in just six different sports to more than 40 teams in 11 sports, and he recruited countless talented coaches. Chuck was key in helping the School develop the Sports Center on the Norton Campus, finally providing the kind of facilities needed to fully support many of its athletics and P.E. programs.
Chuck was also instrumental in creating the annual Sports Extravaganza, which now draws thousands of fans each year to cheer on the Upper School soccer and basketball teams against crosstown rival Brentwood School. Chuck always made fair play the number one priority of the athletics program. He exuded warmth and kindness and had a great sense of humor, often playing practical jokes on his colleagues. He is remembered as a true friend to so many, a wonderful colleague, a problem solver and a great humanitarian.
Chuck retired in 2013 after 32 years at Crossroads and was inducted into the Crossroads Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.
Athletics Director Ira Smith shared, “Chuck left an incredible legacy at Crossroads, particularly with athletics. As his successor, I knew there were some big shoes to fill, and Chuck was there for me whenever I needed him. For that I am eternally grateful.”
Chuck is survived by his wife, Penny Ice, and his brother, John L. Ice.
Younes Nazarian January 26, 1931 – March 18, 2022
Younes and his wife, Soraya Nazarian
Noted philanthropist and Crossroads grandparent Younes Nazarian passed away on March 18 at the age of 91. Younes and his wife, Soraya Nazarian, were immensely generous supporters of Crossroads School, from which three of their 11 grandchildren graduated. In keeping with their lifelong passion for social justice, they established the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Equity & Justice Distinguished Lecture Series in 2018, a key feature of Crossroads School’s Equity & Justice Institute. The series is an initiative of the Younes & Soraya Nazarian Family Foundation, which supports educational causes in a broad spectrum of institutions and through a wide variety of avenues: academic, public policy, community-based, social and artistic programs in the United States and Israel.
Younes Nazarian was born in Tehran and moved to the U.S. soon after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, when Iran was no longer safe for Jews. He was a successful entrepreneur and businessman with a deep commitment to giving back. He and Soraya established the Younes & Soraya Nazarian Family Foundation in the United States and the Ima Foundation in Israel to promote education as a means to bridge socioeconomic gaps.
Younes is survived by his wife of 61 years, Soraya Sarah Nazarian; children David Nazarian, Shula Nazarian, former Crossroads trustee Sharon Nazarian P’12, P’16, P’21 and Sam Nazarian; daughters-in-law Angella and Emina; sons-in-law Fernando and Matt; grandchildren Ariel, Aaron, Phillip, Elan, Sarah ’12, Eli, Layla ’16, Adam ’21, Ella, Mia and Sha; and great-grandson Lev.
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THE BOB RIDDLE EMPLOYEE EMERGENCY FUND supports faculty and staff facing financial hardship.
Gifts to the fund are a tangible way to support the teachers and staff members who care for today’s students day in and day out, and to honor Bob’s remarkable legacy at Crossroads. To give, please visit xrds.org/employeefund or scan this QR code.
