Santa Clara Magazine

Gerald "Jerry" A. Ritthaler ’63, MBA ’70: December 5th, 1941 - February 22nd, 2013. Jerry, to his three sons, family, and countless friends, lived life with boundless enthusiasm. He was known to start conversations with a family member, close friend, or perfect stranger (soon to be a friend) by telling them about the best food he's ever had in this life, the greatest game or play he's ever seen, the nicest person he's ever met, or something very simple to the rest of us that simply amazed him. Pops would end the story with the declaration, How cool is that? It sounded like a question, but it was more of a statement about his zest for life and optimism. His enthusiasm was contagious and brought a smile or a laugh to everyone who came into his life, each and every day. Born on December 5, 1941 to Jaconda and Philip Ritthaler in Sacramento, CA, Jerry was destined to make friends and make a strong 1st impression from the day he was born. He grew up in the Sacramento area and attended college at Santa Clara University where he earned a Bachelor's and Master's Degree. After college, he had a successful business career in sales at General Foods, Sunshine Biscuits, and Kroger. Jerry's Bay area roots were an early indicator of one of his great loves in life  sports. From the time he could yell and listen to a game on the radio, he developed a great passion for sports, and this passion never wavered for a second. He cheered early and often for the Raiders and Athletics because of his strong California ties, and he never stopped cheering for his beloved Oakland teams, but he added many teams in Georgia to his shirt and hat collection when he moved to Georgia in 1979. Once his three boys Mike, Mark, and Matt attended and graduated from the University of Georgia, he was destined to be a life-long Dawgs fan. Pops also had enough spirit in his heart to add the Falcons to his list of football teams he pulled for. Sundays in the fall were never dull with Jerry around, and he always had the game on and a rooting interest in the outcome no matter who was playing. One of Jerry's other great sports loves was baseball. He started out an Oakland A's fan while in the Bay Area, but after moving to Georgia, he quickly adopted the Atlanta Braves as his favorite team. Pops was always ready to head to the ballpark and watch his beloved Braves with anyone who would go with him. No matter how many times they broke his heart in October, he was ready again the following spring, enthusiastic and full of optimism. When he was not in Atlanta, he was always looking for a good deal on some tickets so he could catch the local team and enjoy a few cold ones at the ball park. Pops also brought this love for baseball to his family. He coached his sons in little league baseball in Scotts Valley, CA, teaching them the fundamentals and never missing a game, but more than anything he taught them a love for baseball, sports, and competition. Pops kept the family baseball tradition and love of sports alive with his grandchildren, attending Matthew's baseball and hockey games, Katie's softball and gymnastics, Daniel's baseball and basketball, and Evan's baseball games. He was a fan of his sports teams and an even bigger fan of his boys and grandchildren. Later in his life, Jerry had the good fortune to meet Marilou, who became his wife in 2011. They enjoyed a loving and devoted marriage for 2 + all too short years, but they filled that time up with passion, laughter, and a great appreciation for the opportunity to find true love late in life. Jerry and Marilou shared their devotation to their Catholic Faith and attended church and bible study regularly together. The marriage of Jerry and Marilou also allowed two families to meet each other and become one as Mike and Daniel, Mark and Mary Beth along with Katie and Matthew, and Matt and Kim were able to meet Michelle and Scott Whitehead and their children Erin and Evan to create a new and loving family. Jerry's gift of bringing people together will never be forgotten. Pops was a father figure to many of his sons' close friends in the Dunwoody, GA area. Now and forever, all of those who were fortunate enough to meet Pops will remember him for his stories. He never bragged about himself, but he never stopped telling proud stories about his sister Phyllis and her husband Scott, the good people he met through his charitable work, the love he had for the choir at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Historic Sweet Auburn, and whomever he was going to meet tomorrow. Jerry had an opinion on everything and it was almost always a positive, kind, and hopeful one. Pops will be greatly missed but never forgotten. If the question is, How cool was that man? The answer is The Coolest of them All.ö We will hear his joyful voice in our heads for the rest of our lives. When Pops passes thru the gates of heaven, a crowd will welcome him. Some will have known him well, others simply heard he was coming, and then he will get back to work checking on his earth bound family and friends. Jerry is survived by his wife, Marilou Ritthaler, of Alpharetta; sons, Mike Ritthaler, of San Rafael, CA, Mark (wife, Mary Beth) Ritthaler, of Atlanta, Matt (wife, Kim) Ritthaler, of San Francisco, CA, step-daughter, Michelle (husband, Scott) Whitehead, of Cumming; grandchildren, Katie Ritthaler, Matthew Ritthaler, Daniel Ritthaler, Erin Whitehead, and Evan Whitehead; sister, Phyllis (husband, Scott) Keilholtz, Sacramento, CA and Nephew Erik Keilholtz (wife, Melanie and daughter, Amalia) of Vallejo, CA. 

Steven L. Tuma MBA ’71, 75, of Chatham, and formerly of Jacksonville, passed away Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. He was born Dec. 11, 1937, in Chicago, the son of Elmer and Dorothy Long Tuma. He married Margaret J. "Peggy" Jess on June 19, 1964, and she preceded him in death Jan. 2, 2002. He is survived by one son, Steven S. (Amy) Tuma of Machesney Park; one daughter, Mary Tuma Werries of Chatham; and three grandchildren, Zachary Tuma of Janesville, Wis., and Alyssa and Kyle Werries, both of Chatham. Mr. Tuma was a 1956 graduate of Morton (Illinois) High School, and then attended Roosevelt University in Chicago. During that time, he served in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Upon graduation, he began active duty with the Navy, serving on the USS Nereus. He was honorably discharged in 1967, and began work with the Lockheed Corporation in San Jose, Calif. While at Lockheed, he received his MBA from Santa Clara University. He and his family then returned to Illinois and Steven began work as an engineer with the State of Illinois, retiring from the Illinois Commerce Commission in 1999. Mr. Tuma was a very active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Chatham, and a member of the Jacksonville Amateur (HAM) Radio Club. He had also been a member of the Jacksonville Lions Club. He was a fantastic "Grampy," and loved attending all of his grandchildren's activities. 

Alfred Kok-Ching Chan M.S. ’74, a resident of Sunnyvale, died peacefully in his home on March 20, 2013. Born September 27, 1938 in Hong Kong, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1957. He is survived by spouse Chu Lee, children Clara and Timothy Chan, and siblings Paula Leung, Calvin and Albert Chan.

John "Papa" Eastus M.S. ’78, deputy city manager, City of San Jose (Ret.), and a resident of San Jose, passed away peacefully in his home on March 7, 2013 at the age of 81. He was born in San Luis Obispo, CA to Charles and Josephine Eastus and raised in Marin County. He joined the US Marine Corps at the age of 17. After being honorably discharged, he attended San Jose State University earning a degree in civil engineering and a masters degree in public administration at Santa Clara University. John started working for the City of San Jose as an Assistant Director of Public Works, promoted to the Director of Public Works, and retired in 1984 as a Deputy City Manager. After retiring from the city, he became a partner with HMH Engineering and later he was a consultant as Chief Engineer for the City of Brisbane. John loved the outdoors, fishing, camping, golf, and spent many hours working in his garden. He leaves behind his wife Sherry of 43 years, his brother Frank Eastus and sister Diane Wheeler, along with his 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters. 

Robert Theodore Faubert M.S. ’79, 66, of Purcellville, VA, beloved husband, father, brother and friend, passed away on May 8, 2013 at Inova Loudoun Hospital after a brief illness. Ted spent most of his professional life working in the defense industry for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space Corporation, and more recently for TASC Corporation in Chantilly, VA. Ted was an avid golfer and enjoyed scuba diving and helping with his children's sport and other activities. He was a loving and devoted husband and father and will be greatly missed. Newsletter Ted was born on October 26, 1946 in El Paso, Texas to the late Victorand Clara Faubert. He graduated from Washington State University with an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and later earned his Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Clara University in California. Ted is survived by his wife of twenty three years Lorie Faubert of Purcellville, VA their two children Daniel and Claudia Faubert of Purcellville, VA four brothers Lawrence Faubert of Bend, OR: Charles Faubert of Richland, WA Richard Faubert of San Jose, CA David Faubert of Richland, WA one sister Victoria Fish of Livermore, CA and nine nieces and nephews.