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Showing obituaries submitted in the last year by graduates in 1965
1965
Robert B. Kavale MBA ’65 entered into rest on May 17, 2012, at the Tracy Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center. He died of pneumonia following a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born in the Czech Republic on January 11, 1926, to Josef and Ludmila Kavale. Known for his quick wit and good sense of humor, he will be sorely missed by friends and family.
Mr. Kavale, a resident of Manteca for four and one-half years and former resident of Saratoga, worked in Silicon Valley for more than 30 years in the industrial engineering field. A registered professional engineer and recipient of master's degrees from two California universities, including the Santa Clara University, he helped companies to reduce waste, cut costs, and improve productivity. Among other engineering responsibilities, he designed production facilities, wrote design guidelines, and developed processes and standards.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Jean Kavale, two brothers and their spouses, Josef and Libuse Kavale and Karel and Kerstin Kavale, and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his infant son, David Joseph Kavale.
Ranny Riley ’65, the psychologist best known for her work helping professional women advance their careers into the highest echelons of corporate America, died on August 14 in her home in Belvedere, Calif. She was 68.
Born Frances O'Brien Riley in 1943, in Detroit, Mich., Ranny grew up on the San Francisco Peninsula. She joined the first women's class at the University of Santa Clara. After graduating, Ranny went on to receive her Master's degree in Psychology from Boston College.
She returned home and began to help some of the Bay Area's most iconic companies, including Apple and George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic, develop their leadership teams. She took her PhD from Fielding.
These events coincided with a transition in her professional focus from corporate leadership in general to a more specific focus on issues facing women, both in and beyond their corporate lives. She turned to coaching professional women, from CEOs to those just beginning their careers. As she put it, Ranny helped the new professional woman see herself differently and help her establish her own success in some of America's best companies.
Ranny is survived by her husband Lou Lenzen of Belvedere, by her sister Anne Riley of Burlingame and by her five brothers, Reverend Miles Riley of Half Moon Bay, Dr William Riley of Redwood City, Patrick Riley of San Francisco, Ambassador Thomas Riley of Palo Alto and James Riley of Pasadena and by her eight nieces and nephews, Francie Devlin, Lisa Lenzo, Max Riley, Joanna Weidenmiller, Conor Riley, Ryan Riley, Julia Riley, and Aili Nahas.
James R. Kline Jr. MBA ’65, a resident of Healdsburg, Calif., age 76, died peacefully at his home on November 17, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer. Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Kay; son Dan (Tootie) Kline, daughter Mary (Dan) Echevarria, daughter Colly (Niel) Fischer; and his seven grandchildren, Tori, Peter, Cori, Riley, Bea, Nathan and Tess. Jim was predeceased by his sister Kay White. He is also survived by his nieces, Erin Neuberger & Colleen Wysong; and cousins Donald J. Kline, Sr., Keven Thompson and Colleen Haymaker. Jim was born in Denver, Colo., to his father Ray Kline and mother, Helen (Reifsnyder). While growing up in Joplin, Mo., he was a star athlete and competitor, playing both football and baseball during high school. Jim was an avid alumnus of Kansas University (KU Jayhawks) and during his college years he met Kay. The college sweethearts married on Flag Day, June 14, 1958. Jim & Kay moved westward and worked for Lockheed while completing his MBA at Santa Clara University. Jim eventually retired from Lockheed as CFO of the Lockheed Shuttle Operations Co. (LSOC) in Cape Canaveral, Fla. After retiring from LSOC, he and Kay moved homeward to California, settling in Healdsburg. In Healdsburg, Jim became an active Rotarian and supporter of the local Catholic parish, St. John's. He also enjoyed travelling and visiting their many friends and relatives. Jim's competitive spirit was always engaged, as he always played "by the rules." This carried to all aspects of his life, including golf, bridge, football pools and baseball. Jim gave us many gifts, including integrity, a strong work ethic, unwavering honesty and a keen sense of humor.
David W. Rodoni ’65 was born April 19, 1942, in Oakland, Calif. to Walter and Dolores Rodoni. He died December 12, 2012 at the Windom Hospital. He graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in math/accounting. He was the fiscal supervisor at the Toro Company in Windom where he was a 33 year employee. David married Barbara Sutherland Johnson May 18, 1971 in Chicago, Ill. He enjoyed playing cards, collecting antiques, watching old movies and spending time with his children. He loved his little poodle Wilbie who was a great comfort to him. He is survived by wife, Barbara; twin daughters, Jennifer (Kari Kustelski) Rodoni, Suzanne (Jason Herberg) Rodoni; step-children, Jerome (Patty) Johnson, Michael (Sandy) Johnson, Brian (Michele) Johnson and Angela (Ed) Johnson; brother, Jim (Michele) Rodoni. Also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Albert H. Mahrer MBA ’65 of Grand Junction, Colorado passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, July 22, 2012 of natural causes while in the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Grand Junction. He was 85. He was a WWII Veteran.
Immediately following graduation from Lisbon High School he enlisted in the U.S. Army, having served as an SP in the Army’s Special Police Unit in northern Italy where he met and married Brunine Piatti-Mahrer. Upon completion of his tour and honorable discharge, he returned to his home of Lisbon and entered North Dakota State University (NDSU) at Fargo under the GI Bill, and combined with the NDSU ROTC program, graduated with a ME degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the USAF and served at Edwards AFB (about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles and home of the Air Force Flight Test Center) until rising to the rank of Captain and later his honorable discharge.
He later earned an MBA degree at Santa Clara University and a PHD in Industrial Management at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). During his civilian career he served as a jet engine expert and consultant for Lockheed, General Electric, United Technologies, and Pratt and Whitney, major providers of jet engines and aerospace products for commercial and military aircraft. Following his career at E-Systems at Greenville (TX) as a proposal manager, he returned to UNC to teach management information systems until his final retirement. He was a member of the VFW Post of Grand Junction, Colorado and of the Knights of Columbus San Jose Council 879 at San Jose, Calif.
He is survived by one brother Lee Mahrer of Phoenix, Ariz; three sisters, Lorraine Holmstrom, Helen Tangen, and Eileen Munkeby, all of Lisbon; six children, Dr. Bobb Mahrer of Greenville, Texas, Bill Mahrer, Austin, Texas, Maria Mahrer-Lollar of Spring, Texas, Jerry Mahrer of Farmersville, Texas, James Mahrer of Palm City, FL and Sheryl Mahrer-Coffey of Grand Junction, CO; and 13 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Marie Mahrer of Lisbon, three sisters, Margaret Hahn, Bernice Osman, and Louise Claus, and his wife, Brunine Mahrer.
