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Uploaded: Friday, October 2, 2009, 8:44 PM
Updated: Monday, October 5, 2009, 8:48 AM
'Mr. Palo Alto' Warren Thoits, 87, dies after illness
Warren Thoits, lifelong Palo Altan, attorney, philanthropist and property owner, dies after year-long bout with cancer
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by Jay Thorwaldson
Palo Alto Online Staff
Photo
 | Warren Thoits, a lifelong Palo Altan, attorney, philanthropist and downtown Palo Alto property owner, died Thursday night after a quiet, year-long battle with cancer. He was 87.
Thoits was known to hundreds of friends and associates as "Mr. Palo Alto" due to his extensive range of activities and interests, ranging from the Chamber of Commerce to the Avenidas senior center and Peninsula Stroke Association.
Thoits chose a career in law and graduated from Stanford Law School. He ultimately was became a founder of the Thoits, Love, Hershberger and McClean law firm that had offices for a time in the Palo Alto Office Center, and later Palo Alto Square and finally back to downtown Palo Alto at 285 Hamilton Ave.
Thoits father owned a shoe store on University Avenue and a brother, Kent, founded Thoits Insurance, with which Warren was not affiliated.
In addition to contributing financially to community-based organizations, Thoits also contributed his time, serving on community boards of directors, including Avenidas and the stroke association -- he suffered a stroke eight years ago.
In 2000, he received the Chamber of Commerce's Tall Tree Award for Outstanding Professional.
He gave heavily to Stanford University and spread other contributions through the community, including the Weekly's annual Holiday Fund, which supports nonprofit organizations serving children and families.
Thoits was a longstanding member of the Palo Alto Rotary Club and had been active with the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, serving on its board.
Thoits served as president of the Rotary Club of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the Palo Alto Chapter of the American Red Cross. He has served on the boards Palo Alto Area YMCA, Family Service Association and Peninsula Stroke Association.
He was a founder of Greater Bay Bancorp and served as an officer and director until his death.
"He was one the greatest human beings I've ever worked for," Candace Peterson, who for the past 20 years was property manager for the family business, Thoits Brothers, of which Warren was part. The firm owned 17 properties in downtown Palo Alto.
"You couldn't ask for a better or more humanitarian person," she said.
But Peterson said Thoits should be remembered for his kindness, his willingness to truly listen to others and his desire to create a better community by working with people and managing properties well.
When the firm built a new building at Hamilton
Avenue and Emerson Street in the early 2000s, Thoits rented the ground-floor corner to A.J. Ferrari delicatessen rather than lease it for an office -- for which he could have gotten several times more rent. The building was just outside the boundaries of the city's ordinance requiring retail on the ground floor.
Thoits said the reason he leased to the deli was "because ground floor offices kill a downtown," and he wanted downtown Palo Alto to be a dynamic place.
Thoits became the youngest of five siblings when he was born in 1922, and was the last surviving sibling.
He is survived by his wife, Vicki; by four children, Pam, Edward, Rod and Teresa; and by grandchildren.
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Posted by Rebecca Nelson, a resident of another community, on Oct 2, 2009 at 10:07 pm I am greatly saddened to hear of Warren Thoits's passing. He was the consummate gentleman with a huge and generous heart and a level of selfless commitment to his family, his business, Palo Alto and philanthropic endeavors that was extraordinary. Simply put, he was an exceptional human being whose incomparable legacy lives on. I know I share with countless others the good fortune of crossing paths with Warren. With deepest respect for a life fully lived I send thoughts and prayers to Vicki and all the family.
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Posted by resident, a resident of the Charleston Meadows neighborhood, on Oct 3, 2009 at 9:14 am Rest peacefully Mr.Warren Thoits.
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Posted by Klaus Brandt, a resident of the Leland Manor/Garland Drive neighborhood, on Oct 3, 2009 at 12:44 pm As we were growing up in professorville Palo Alto our Mom would take us to the Thoits shoe store on University Avenue. I have to believe that this was the same family as that of Warren Thoits.
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Posted by R.I.P Mr. Palo Alto!, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Oct 5, 2009 at 10:18 am I just found out about Mr. Thoits a few minutes ago... Thoits brothers owns our building and I see everyone from Thoits walking around almost everyday.. Mr. Thoits and everyone else that works on Emerson are the nicest people. I am deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Thoits and will think of him every time I walk pass the office on Emerson Street.
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Posted by Previous tenant of Mr. Thoits, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Oct 5, 2009 at 11:54 am Palo Alto has been lucky to have such a community-minded, thoughtful, and fair civic leader among us. Mr. Thoits helped to create the welcoming downtown that we have, and I hope that new generations recognize the impact that one fine man can have. He will be missed.
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Posted by Randy Robinson, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Oct 5, 2009 at 1:28 pm Warren Thoits was my landlord for my business. It is rare to hear people say that they like their landlords. I do.
He could not have been a more fair, supportive and nice person – supporting and giving back to the community.
He will be sorely missed by me, and thousands of people whose lives he has touched in an unconditional way.
My heart goes out to his family. Thank you Warren for all you have done for Palo Alto. Your footprint here will last indefinitely.
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Posted by carol jansen, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Oct 5, 2009 at 3:01 pm Warren was a kind, decent, and thoughtful man. He lived a long life, and I hope that others in Palo Alto follow in his footsteps in recognizing the personal contributions one can make to our community.
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Posted by Solon, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Oct 5, 2009 at 3:12 pm Thoits Law firm leader stated in public comment before City Council in AUgust or so that his firm may move out of Palo Alto if Measure A, the extra tax on business, was passed.
The notion of audits of businesses, the burden of compliance, the obtuseness (Why do the disabled, Honorably Discharged veterans, have to not be able to earn a living doing manual labor to get an exemption from a $75 tax? Measure A, 4.61.090 (A) (2) ) How is this going to be audited and proven? By whom? At what cost to dignity?
Most home business simply will not file, probably, as happened in otehr cities, who then hire investigators or law firms; Under Measure A, 4.61.150 the City Administrator or designee is entitled to "examine the books, papers and records of any person . . " to see if a return or money is due.
And the administrator also fixes penalties 4.61.200 (B) and then also decides an appeal him or her self, 4.61.220 (b)
Books and records? $300,000 a year to administer? Up to $30,000 per business? Hmmmmm.
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Posted by Barb Larson, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Oct 5, 2009 at 8:56 pm Mr. Thoits was terrific, generous and kind community supporter. The American Red Cross was blessed to have had his leadership and guidance over the years. He will be missed by so many, but undoubtedly his impact and legacy in the community will live on. With deep gratitude and our sympathies to the Thoits family. Our best regards - from the Volunteers, Staff, Board Members and Barb Larson, American Red Cross Silicon Valley
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Posted by murray dey, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Oct 12, 2009 at 7:00 pm A gentleman for whom I will always have the greatest admiration and respect. He was one of the primary reasons for the success of Mid-Peninsula Bank. It was an honor to have known and worked with this great and honorable man.
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