January 28, 2004

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Antoinette "Nettie" Agrella, 95, a longtime resident of Menlo Park, died Jan. 11.

She was born Feb. 23, 1908 and moved to California with her family in 1952 from Revere, Mass. She tutored many local school children in English and reading, and taught piano. She was passionate about music, the arts and especially education and she loved being with children.

She was "Nettie" to her friends and "Nonnie" to her children.

She was preceded in death by her ex-husband, Maurice "BeBop" Agrella; her daughter, Virginia Agrella, R.N.; and her son, Maurice "Jerry" Agrella.

She is survived by her daughter, Corinne Schultz of Modesto; son, Robert Agrella of Richmond; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial donations may be made to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, 770 Welch Road, Suite 350, Palo Alto, CA 94304 or call (650) 497-8141.
Mary Louise Callas

Mary Louise Callas, 69, a resident of Palo Alto, died Dec. 3 of breast cancer.

Born in Ithaca, N.Y., she survived a previous struggle with cancer and was considered recovered after five years of therapy.

She is survived by her husband, George Callas; daughter, Eleni Callas of Palo Alto; son, Peter Tachi of Redwood City; and sister, Harriet Foltinek of Vernon, British Columbia. She was preceded in death by her son, Nikolas Callas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice.
James M. Early

James M. Early, 81, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, died Jan. 12 at the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Hospital after a long illness.

He was with Fairchild Camera and Instrument in Palo Alto for many years. He was well known in the field of semiconductor engineering, published many technical papers, held 14 patents and was a fellow of the IEEE.

He was most widely acknowledged for discovering the effects of space-charge layer widening on bipolar transistors ("the Early effect"). "The Early effect" explained the behavior of bipolar transistors in the linear regime. Specifically, it accounted for the observed but unexplained rise in collector current with increase in collector emitter voltage in the linear operating range. From that understanding more accurate models of transistor behavior were developed.

Furthermore, transistor designers were able to optimize transistor performance by controlling this effect. The understanding of the impact of space-charge layer widening continues to be a necessary element in the process of designing and modeling bipolar transistors today.

His academic training began with a bachelor's degree in pulp and paper manufacturing in 1943 from the New York State College of Forestry (Syracuse). After army service at Ohio State University and the Manhattan Engineer District, Oak Ridge, Tenn., he returned to O.S.U. as a graduate student and instructor in electrical engineering.

He earned a master's degree in 1948 and a Ph.D. in 1951.

He joined Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, N.J. in September 1951. During his 18 years at Bell, he created much of the design theory of bipolar transistors, discovered the effects of space-charge layer widening ("Early effect"), created the oscillator transistor for the first U.S. satellite, led development of solar cells and transistors for Telstar I (the first communications satellite to pioneer live intercontinental television broadcasting), and led the development of sealed junction technology as part of Bell Lab's first major IC work, ending his Bell Labs service as director of the Electron Device Laboratory at Allentown, Pa.

In 1969 he joined Fairchild as leader of its research and development work. Under his direction, Fairchild Research Center created and developed several processes and products including the isoplanar bipolar process and the prototype of isoplanar memory products; the buried channel CCD imagers which have revolutionized low light level electronic imaging; the prototypes of the 4000C series of 15 volt CMOS, and the 100K series of ECL, and contributed to the creation of FAST.

The work he led allowed for clearer images to be produced in microsurgery, photocopying and satellite imagery. His leadership brought Fairchild the first ion implanter in a merchant semiconductor manufacturing company (1970) and the first commercial electron beam mask-making machine (MEBES 1 - 1977). He became a technical adviser in mid-1983 and retired from Fairchild at the end of 1986.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Agnes; and his eight children, Mary Beth Early of Brooklyn, N.Y., Kathleen Early of Tassajara, Calif., Joan Farrell of Ocean City, N.J., Rhoda Alexander of Menlo Park, Maureen Matthews and Rosemary Early, both of Campbell, James M. Early Jr. of Mountain View, Margot Early of Ridgway, Colo.; eight brothers and sisters, Joe Early, Mary Beth O'Neill and Kathleen Eccles of Syracuse, N.Y., John of Sterling, N.J., Rhoda Corcoran of Fresno, Frank of Lakewood, Colo., Jane of Bradenton Beach, Fla., and Larry of Madera, Calif.; and eleven grandchildren.

Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be sent to Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, 2625 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95134.
David Muir Halliday

David M. Halliday, 88, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, died Jan. 10 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He was born Jan. 5, 1916, of Scottish parentage in Bisbee, Ariz. As a youth, he was an avid athlete and enjoyed activities such as swimming and gymnastics. During World War II, he served for three years in the United States Navy. Upon return, he worked for 33 years as a truck driver.

He loved his family and is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Martha Glauser Halliday; his sons, David Halliday and James C. Halliday; his daughters-in-law, Jill Halliday and Karen Halliday; and five grandchildren.

Services were held at the Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple St., 84111, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Richard J. Herzing

Richard J. Herzing, 83, died at his home in Palo Alto on Jan. 5.

A native of St. Cloud, Minn., he was born April 29, 1920 and joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1938. He was mobilized in 1940 and came to California as part of the Coast Artillery. After five years in the Army, he used the GI Bill to attend college at Stout State University in Menomonie, Wisc., where he earned his bachelor's degree.

He moved with his young family to California following school and joined the faculty at Sequoia High School in Redwood City. He taught industrial arts at the school for the next 27 years, and he earned his master's degree from Stanford University in 1952.

A very civic-minded man who was dedicated to improving his Monroe Park neighborhood, he was also a well-regarded teacher who was visited by former students up until his death. For many years he and his students were honored for the innovative metal work designs he developed for his students and his skill in teaching them how to make the projects.

He was also a master gardener who was happiest working the soil out in his "back 40." He and his wife of almost 59 years, Margaret, also loved to travel.

He is survived by four daughters: Irene Laver of Bend, Ore.; Celine Janes of Bend, Ore.; Yvonne Skitt and son-in-law Raymond Skitt of Sunnyvale; and Marie Thompson and son-in-law Craig Thompson of Issaquah, Wash. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Chris Thompson of Palm Springs; Matthew Thompson of Sunnyvale; Kathleen Marques of Las Vegas; Adam Thompson of Issaquah, Wash.; Kevin Grossman of Seattle; Tanya Grossman of San Leandro; Erin Skitt of San Diego; and Bryan Skitt of San Diego. He is also survived by a great-granddaughter, Emma Grossman of Seattle, and two sisters, two brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews in St. Cloud.

There will be a funeral mass and reception on April 24.
Margaret Huntsberger

Margaret Ruth (Kroener) Huntsberger, 83, a longtime former resident of Palo Alto, died Jan. 2 at Eastside Hospital in Redmond, Wash.

She was born Feb. 14, 1920, in Orange, Calif. to Dr. William and Evangeline (Hull) Kroener. She grew up in Whittier, Calif., and graduated from Stanford University. She married Ralph Huntsberger on Feb. 21, 1942, in Palo Alto.

Following Ralph's death in 1965, she lived in Palo Alto until 1974 when she moved to Vashon Island, Wash.

Throughout her life, she was engaged in a wide variety of civic and charitable causes. Active in PEO chapters in Palo Alto and Vashon, she demonstrated a lifelong commitment to creating educational opportunities for women.

She enjoyed the performing arts, including Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Repertory Theater. She was active in the Seattle Arboretum and other garden clubs, and found particular joy in the gardens at her home. She will be remembered for her humor, dignity, generosity and compassion for others.

She is survived by two daughters, Karen Huntsberger of Redmond, Wash., and Diane O'Leary, of Poulsbo, Wash.; three sons, James of Cupertino, Thomas of Eugene, Ore., and Michael of Eugene, Ore.; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held in her honor Saturday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m. at the Vashon Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 15429 Vashon Hwy. SW, Vashon Island, Wash.

The family suggests memorial donations to the Church, the Seattle Arboretum Foundation, or Cottey College c/o PEO Chapter HU.
Henry Minvielle

Henry Minvielle, the longtime owner of the City of Paris cleaner in Palo Alto, died Jan. 6, 2004, in Dayton, Nev. He was 100.

He was in Nevada visiting his niece Jeanne Minvielle, and was just more than one month away from his 101st birthday.

The popular business owner lived in Palo Alto for more than 70 years. He and his wife, Josephine Minvielle, who died in 1998, were married 68 years. They were married in 1930, the same year he bought the City of Paris shop on Homer Avenue.

A native of France born Feb. 20, 1903, he worked as an apprentice in cabinetry and came to San Francisco with his sister to join his parents, who had arrived four years earlier in 1915. In the city he worked for a coffin maker and later at a laundry.

He will be remembered as a talented craftsman who renovated his home and built speed boats and campers. Early in his life he raced motorcycles and boats. He also loved to fish, hunt and garden.

He is survived by his niece and a half-nephew, Renee Veneaugard, of France.

Services have been held. Donations in his memory may be sent to the St. Mary's Foundation Hospice Fund, St. Mary's Health Network, 1155 W. Fourth St., Suite 224, Reno, Nev., 89503.
John Rea Radin

John Rea Radin, 79, a longtime Peninsula resident, died Jan. 7 after a brief illness.

He was born in Gilroy and graduated from Gilroy High School. He briefly attended Stanford University but his education was interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. During the war, he was appointed to the Army's Manhattan Project because of his strong background in science and received further training at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., and Louisiana State University. He was based in Oak Ridge, Tenn. when he met his future wife, Mary Cox Radin of Knoxville.

After the war, he returned to Stanford and completed his degree in electrical engineering. After graduation, he took a position with the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. in San Francisco.

The family moved to Palo Alto in 1951; in 1964, he began a career as a private investor, specializing in venture financing for small scientific start-up firms in Silicon Valley.

He was a great fan of the Stanford men's and women's basketball program, holding season tickets for more than five decades. He rarely missed a game and took great pleasure in the team's recent successes.

He is survived by his wife Mary Radin of Palo Alto; son Richard Radin and daughter-in-law Nancy of Oakland; son John Radin and daughter-in-law Dianne of Fairfax, Va.; and two grandchildren.

In the spring, a memorial and family gathering will be held in All Souls Garden at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Palo Alto.
James Robinson

James Robinson, 44, died Jan. 14.

He was born in Newton, Mass. He came to Stanford in 1998 to become the associate director of the Stanford News Service. He graduated Wesleyan University, Georgetown University and Columbia University's School of Journalism. He lead a distinguished career working at various daily newspapers, which included the Springfield Republican, Hartford Courant, Houston Chronicle and Agence France-Presse, before coming to Stanford.

He was a deeply loyal friend and developed lifelong friendships in each of the cities he lived. He loved to entertain and is remembered by all for his broad range of interests, intellectual curiosity and dry wit. He was an amateur photographer, a motorcycle enthusiast and a music lover -- from classical to jazz to rock.

He is survived by his partner, Ken Wingard of San Francisco; his parents, John and Olga Robinson of Wellesley, Mass., and Meredith, N.H.; his brother, Chase Robinson of Oxford, England; and a nephew and niece.

A memorial celebrating his life was held at Stanford Memorial Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to a fund established to support the James S. Robinson Award for Student Journalists at Stanford University. Contributions can be sent to the Office of Development, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305.
Joanne M. Sonnichsen

Joanne Margretha Sonnichsen, 70, a longtime resident of Menlo Park, died Dec. 25.

Her death was brought on by breast cancer that had migrated to her lungs. The intending chemotherapy fought the cancer successfully but contributed to congestive heart failure.

She was born in Omaha, Neb., in 1933, to Herbert W. Peterson of Nebraska and Pearl E. Klingbeil of Wisconsin. Her father, an alumni of the Graduate School of Business at Stanford, worked with Boeing Air Transport, a forerunner of United Air Lines. He was later hired by Juan Trippe of the newly formed Pan American Airlines to head up operations in Los Angeles.

The family moved to Southern California in 1935 where she attended grammar schools and began high school. Her father was transferred to head the Pan Am San Francisco office and the family moved to Palo Alto in 1948 where she graduated from Palo Alto High School.

She entered Stanford in 1950 majoring in Art and Design. In 1952 her family moved to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where her father headed Pan American's South American operations. In 1953 she transferred to the Wright-McMahon Business School of Beverly Hills for training as an executive secretary.

She married Darrell "Deke" Sonnichsen in a Danish ceremony at Stanford Memorial Church in February 1954. She worked with Hiller Helicopters in Menlo Park and for Skidmore Owings and Merrill in San Francisco. She returned to Stanford to complete her Art/Design degree, graduating in 1958. Her son, P.J., was born at Stanford in 1959.

She served as treasurer and president for the Committee for Art at Stanford in the 1960s and she was one of the founders of the Treasure Market at Stanford. She continued to paint and studied photography, establishing her own photo studio.

In the 1970s she began to study bookbinding, in the French tradition, with Don Glaister and founded her own studio in Menlo Park where she practiced and taught her craft. Her bindings have been displayed in museums, universities, private collections and exhibits in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Sweden and the United States.

She was commissioned to design a special binding for the AIDS Name Project "Book of Remembrance" on permanent display at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco. In the 1990s she, fluent in French, was one of the nine founders, and the only American, of AIR neuf, an international "fresh look" bookbinding organization in Paris, France.

She served as President of the Book Club of California, the Hand Bookbinders of California and the Colophon Club of San Francisco. She was a member of the Roxburghe Club of San Francisco, the Bancroft Library Associates, the Stanford Library Associates, the Guild of Bookworkers, Pets in Need and Amnesty International.

In February 2003 she was honored by the Book Club of California with the Oscar Lewis Award for her "outstanding contributions in the field of the Book Arts."

She is survived by her husband, Deke Sonnichsen of Menlo Park; and her son, P.J. Sonnichsen of Bodie, Calif.

A remembrance gathering for will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m. at the Stanford Faculty Club, 439 Lagunita Drive, Stanford. Memorial donations may be made to a favorite charity.
Jenny A. Sorensen

Jenny Aldeguer Sorensen, 97, died Jan. 10 in Redwood City.

She was born in Hangkow, China. She spent her life living in Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Denmark, Hawaii, and then finally settling in California 19 years ago.

She is survived by her daughter, a son-in-law and a grandson of Palo Alto; a sister, Mary Johnson of Macau, China; a sister-in-law, Sally Aldeguer of London, England; and close relatives of Canada.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Jan.17, at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Menlo Park.
Klaus-Dieter Wagner

Klaus-Dieter Wagner, 59, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, died Jan. 20.

He was born May 17, 1944, in Germany. He left a successful marketing career in the South of France in 1979 to live as a monk, studying and practicing for many years at the San Francisco Zen Center and Tassajara.

He was an ordained priest in the Soto Zen tradition. Once he left the monastic life, he was a real estate agent with Coldwell-Banker for nearly 20 years.

He is survived by his daughter, Joelle, a junior at Gunn High School. A memorial service will be held Sunday, Feb. 1, at 1:30 p.m. at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center in Marin, 1601 Shoreline Highway, Sausalito, (415) 383-3134.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred either to the Joelle Wagner Education Memorial Fund, 630 San Benito Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025; or to Green Gulch Farm Zen Center.

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