Loyal friend, devoted community member, and winemaker Bob Mullen passed away peacefully in his sleep from natural causes on November 24, 2025, at the age of 99. His partner, Marsha Campbell, was at home with him. Robert Lee Mullen was born in Youngstown, Ohio on February 12, 1926, at 5:55 p.m. His family moved often before eventually settling in Peoria, Illinois, where he attended high scho...

Saye Noguchi, a longtime Palo Alto resident, retired Ohlone Elementary School secretary and beloved matriarch of an extended family, died peacefully at home Jan. 3. She was 102. Saye was a superb organizer, manager, cook and hostess. Determined and energetic, she set an example in caring for people in our lives. In the school office, she welcomed every child, family and staff member. At home,...

The world lost a little sparkle on October 2, 2025, when Caroline Lee Orr-Kissner peacefully passed away at age 76 - on her 49th wedding anniversary, surrounded by love. Born in Palo Alto, California, Cary lived a life full of heart, humor, family and friends. She was the beloved daughter of Lee and Cornelia Orr and is survived by her devoted husband Chuck Kissner, her sister Kathy, children ...

Mitzi Phillips was voted “Most Likely to Be Remembered” in high school — and that could not have been more true. She lived a full, colorful, and adventurous life that many of us could only dream of. A true steel magnolia, Mitzi was known for her unforgettable stories, her sharp wit, and her ability to find humor in any situation. Mitzi Casselberry was born on February 7, 1939, in Newp...

Alonzo B. "Al" Ramirez, 86, of Palo Alto, California, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Born June 10, 1939, in El Paso, Texas, to Dalmira Chacon and Baldomero Ramirez, Al lived a life defined by patience, humility, intellect, and love. After four years in the U.S. Air Force, Al earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at El Paso through the GI Bill, followe...

Nan Ray of Menlo Park, CA passed away peacefully on November 8th. She was 91 years old. Nan is survived by her children, Lauren Lamb, John (Cynthia Lyon) Ray, and Paul Ray and her grandchildren, Kevin (Tiffany Marchbanks) Ray, Robert Lamb, and Alison Lamb. She was predeceased by her parents, Agnes Flach Engler and Paul Edward Engler, her husband, John Charles Ray, and her son-in-law, William Lamb....

Douglas Gordon Rice passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at UCSF Medical Center on November 25, 2025, after an eight-year battle with glioblastoma. Douglas was born in San Francisco at Stanford University Hospital. He was the beloved son of Jane and Gordon Rice of Menlo Park, former proprietors of Shreve’s Sporting Goods. In early childhood, Douglas relocated from Palo Alto to...

Mary Frances Rominger (Sickenberger), a devoted patron of the arts, loving and supportive wife and mother, and community volunteer, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026, at the age of 94. Born on December 11, 1931, in Manzanola, Colorado, Fran grew up with a deep appreciation for music that would shape her lifelong passions. She pursued her love for the piano as a music major at the Uni...

Richard Runkel, age 93, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on February 8, 2026. Richard lived a long and full life, defined by his resilience, sense of responsibility, and a devotion to his family. Born and raised in Arcadia, Wisconsin, to Allen and Vera Runkel, Richard grew up in a lively household as one of six children. His youth was filled with German and Irish heri...

Marlowe Ann Hadeler (later Savelle) was born in 1945 at Stanford Hospital in San Francisco and grew up in Menlo Park, where she attended Menlo-Atherton High School. She attended college at the University of New Mexico and then did something many people dream about and few actually do: she went to Europe—and stayed. While there, she met and married Marc Savelle and welcomed her first daughter, Al...

Marlowe Ann Hadeler (later Savelle) was born in 1945 at Stanford Hospital in San Francisco and grew up in Menlo Park, where she attended Menlo-Atherton High School. She attended college at the University of New Mexico and then did something many people dream about and few actually do: she went to Europe—and stayed. While there, she met and married Marc Savelle and welcomed her first daughter, Al...

A deeply devoted father, husband, brother, son, and friend to many, whose expertise in and passion for the outdoors spanned his entire life, Scott James Scherer passed away from natural causes while surfing along his beloved California coast on Friday, March 6, 2026. He was 56 and lived in Menlo Park, California. On September 12th, 1969, Scott was born in Palo Alto, California, to Jim and Renie S...

Gail Robbins Schwettman, an adored mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, died on October 8, 2025. Gail was born on January 13, 1936 in the Cincinnati, Ohio area to William and Gertrude Robbins. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelors of Science degree in Education and went on to teach at the grade school level before having three children: Alison, Jeanne an...

With deepest love and remembrance, the family of Jerome Lee Strom, “Jerry,” announce his peaceful passing at his home in Los Altos Hills on the morning of October 1, 2025.  Jerry was 89, born in 1936, the son of Victor and Edna Strom. Jerry was a graduate of North Dakota State University, Dickinson.  Prior to college, Jerry served honorably in the United States Army.  It was through this...

John W. Stypula, Jr., known as “Jan,” died peacefully at his Pebble Beach home on February 26, 2026, at age 87. He shared more than 65 years of marriage with his wife, Gail. A Stanford educated architect, Jan was a principal partner at Spencer Associates of Palo Alto and contributed to notable projects including the California State Railroad Museum, the downtown Palo Alto library and the Sar...

Mary Lou Oldham (Judd) Taylor passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 14, 2026, at age 86. Mary was born September 20, 1939, to Dr. Ernest Whitney Oldham and Ruth McBride Oldham. She was the second of four children, growing up as the doctor’s daughter in the small town of Coalville, Utah. After losing both parents by age 14, she and her older sister worked to keep the family to...

Mary Alice Thornton passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, in Palo Alto, California, at the age of 87. She was born on May 7, 1938, in Zanesville, Ohio. She grew up in Denver, Colorado. Mary Alice shared 52 devoted years of marriage with her beloved husband, David Thornton. Together, they built a life rooted in learning, curiosity, service, and deep love for family. An avid traveler, Mary A...

Obituary of a Young Sailor Carl Stanford Treichel was released from the grasp of Schizophrenia and Parkinson's Diseases when he died at home on November 14, 2025. He lived two lives: a brief life of joy and adventure followed by a long life in the captivity of illness. This is not a usual obituary because Carl's life was lived in two separate eras. In fact, it is more of a tragic story. ...