September 14, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

Deaths

Tim Baldwin, 66, coach emeritus of Stanford University women's golf team died Aug. 27 with his wife and family at his bedside.

Born in Detroit, Mich. on March 4, 1938, he graduated from Michigan State University. After a successful career in business, he helped start the women's golf program at Stanford University in 1979. As the head coach for 20 years he continued to help that program grow and become one of the top teams in the nation. He was instrumental in developing college women's golf nationally and was elected to and inducted into the golf coaches Hall of Fame in 1997.

Until his death, he instructed golf, giving lessons to team members and friends. He also helped in fund-raising efforts for the Women's Golf Program. He is survived by his wife Tobi Baldwin of Palo Alto; two daughters, Terri Ann Tierney of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Jennifer Birkeland of Tigard, Ore., their husbands and families. He is also survived by his step-daughter, Martha Richards Frietag of Nashville, Tenn.; step-sons, Daniel Richards of Chicago, Ill. and Robert Richards of Fox Point, Wisc., and his wife and children. He is also survived by his two brothers, Patrick Baldwin, and Kirk Baldwin; two sisters, Denise Baldwin, and Fran Otto, and their families. He has one grandson, seven granddaughters, and three step grand-daughters.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Stanford Golf Course and Club House.

Belinda Cady

Belinda Cady died in Los Gatos Aug. 31 at 91. She was born in Hilo, Hawaii and lived there until the age of 12. She had to quit school at the age of 10 to work in the sugar cane plantations to help support her younger siblings. Although she had five sisters and one brother, she is now survived only by one sister.

She moved to Palo Alto at the age of 12 and lived most of her life here. She worked as a tester at Farnsworth Electronics until her retirement at the age of 65. She then helped care for her two grandsons, Ray and Aaron. She was a loving grandmother and an active participant in the lives of her grandsons. She attended their many little league games and other sports events at Palo Alto High School. A strong, spirited women, she was full of life and laughter and was always there to help anyone in need. She is loved by many and will be missed.

She is survived by her daughter Michele Wilson of Palo Alto, and her son Clinton Cady of Nampa, Idaho. She has four grandchildren and two nieces.

Adele Edmonds Daly

Adele Edmonds Daly, a long-time Palo Alto nurse died Aug. 26 at Channing House.

She was born on Feb. 6, 1914, and grew up in Drake, N.D. She attended the University of Minnesota where she received her nursing degree at the School of Nursing. She entered the military in 1942, and after receiving training as flight nurse she was assigned to the South West Pacific landing in New Caledonia as a medical evacuation nurse. Until 1947 she remained on active duty in the US when she was assigned to Hickam Field, Hawaii. There she married Captain Paul V Daly, a World War II B-29 pilot.

She returned to the US in 1948 and remained in the Inactive Reserve. She returned to active duty in 1951 until 1957, when she began Active Reserve status. She served with various reserve assignments before retiring from the military, putting in 31 years of service. She was awarded the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, and the American Theater Service Medal.

She returned to the University of Minnesota where she graduated with distinction, earning a degree in Nursing Service Administration. She began working at Stanford Hospital, and retired 19 years later as director of central service. After her retirement she enjoyed volunteered for many organizations, including the Downtown Food Closet and as an Escort volunteer at Stanford University Hospital from 1987 to 2004.

She is survived by two nephews, John Robinson and Jack Peterson, and one niece, Jill Christiansen. Her favorite charities were Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, and the Ecumenical Hunger Program. No memorial service is planned at her request.

Professor William A Lyell

Professor William A (Bill) Lyell, a Stanford University Emeritus associate professor of Chinese Language and Literature, died of complications from cancer of the esophagus Aug. 28. He was 75.

He was born in 1930 in Rahway, N.J. to Mary, an Irish immigrant, and William Lyell, who was proud of his American Revolution ancestry. He was a graduate of Rollins college of Florida and had earned his master's and PhD degrees in Chinese studies from the University of Chicago. He realized how much he enjoyed Chinese culture and speaking Chinese and enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Chicago. He was awarded a fellowship to study Chinese philosophy and written Chinese in Taiwan over three years. On his return to the University of Chicago he met and married Ruth Granetz, a graduate student at the University of Chicago in Comparative Human Development. At the time of his death he was married to Ruth for 44 years. He was an avid reader, and he enjoyed discussing the books with his wife.

He taught at Chicago Teachers' College and Ohio State University before 1972 when he started teaching Chinese language and literature at Stanford. He wrote or translated six books. Several of his books pertained to two major twentieth century Chinese authors - Lu Hsun and Lao She. He was a visiting professor of Chinese Literature at Beijing University in 1987.

He loved to teach just as much as he loved to learn. Bill also enjoyed aviation. He owned an airplane that he based at Palo Alto airport for 15 years. He frequently took visiting faculty and his students on flights over the Bay Area and Half Moon Bay.

He was a devoted and loving husband, father, brother and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, his daughters Miriam and her husband John Boisa; and Deirdre and her husband Max Schireson; and his sons, Sean and his wife Heather Hansen. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Anne Elliott; and seven grandchildren.

Colleagues, staff , former students, and friends are invited to a memorial service for William Lyell at the Stanford University faculty club on 439 Lagunita Dr. on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 4.30 pm. All those who would like to make a donation in the name of William Lyell may do so to Pets in Need, 873, Fifth Ave., Redwood city, CA 94063 or to Hillel at Stanford, PO Box 20526, Stanford, CA 94309.

Scott Thomas Pecota

Scott Thomas Pecota, 53, a resident of Palo Alto, died here Aug. 28.

Born on Dec. 29, 1951 in San Francisco, he was the youngest son of Paul and Betty Pecota. A lifetime resident of the Bay Area, he attended Burlingame High School. He played football, and helped win the league championship in his senior year. He played offensive guard and defensive end and made all league in both positions. He was named the North Peninsula Linesman of the Year and received a full athletic scholarship to Idaho State University. He missed the Bay Area and moved back to San Francisco where he attended San Francisco State University.

He is survived by two daughters, Jessica Pecota, attending Wake Forest University; Rachael Pecota, a student at Palo Alto High School; his mother Betty Pecota; brother Jeff Pecota, and loving friend Jennifer Pecota.

Mitsuru Shijo

Mitsuru Shijo, 89, died Aug. 19 at his home in Palo Alto.

He was born on Jan. 1, 1916 in Walnut Grove, Calif.

He was the husband of 49 years to the late Louisa Imakire Shijo. He is survived by his children: Wayne and Dale Shijo, Linda and Craig Tsukamoto, and Kenny Shijo; and five grandchildren.

Private services have been held.

Robert Willard Smith

Robert Willard Smith, 88, a former employee of the Stanford Research Institute, died Aug. 18.

He worked for the Stanford Research Institute from 1949 to 1980 as European director. He worked in Switzerland, where he was instrumental in the founding of the American International School of Zurich. He received his bachelor's degree from U.C. Berkeley and his MBA from Stanford in 1941.

He enjoyed traveling to new places and working with different cultures. When not working, he relaxed with his family at their cabin in West Point, Calif.

He is survived by his son, Creighton, and daughter-in-law, Lynn, of Bakersfield; son, Kirk, and daughter-in-law, Yvonne, of Folsom, Calif.; stepson, Robert Agramonte, and stepdaughter-in-law, Jessica, of Half Moon Bay, Calif.; stepdaughter, Sue Rynerson, and stepson-in-law, Robert, of San Diego, Calif.; stepdaughter, Joan Domiter, of San Diego, Calif.; and 12 grandchildren.

Larry D. Stevenson

Larry Stevenson, 54, and an employee of the Department of Veteran's Affairs, died suddenly Sept. 1 while visiting family in Texas. He was born in El Paso, Texas May 31, 1951 and was raised in the Texas panhandle. He moved to the Bay Area five years ago.

He was a graduate of Texas Tech University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He was a hard worker, passing all his boards the first time and becoming a professional engineer in Texas in 1991.

He had a 19-year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Dallas, Texas and Palo Alto, Calif. He was selected Engineer of the Year for all federal agencies three times. He was also awarded the honor of Energy Engineer of the Year, and was considered a pioneer in energy conservation for both the government and private sector. He created a gas pipeline in conjunction with Texas Utilities for the VA North Texas Health Care System, which resulted in millions of dollars in cost savings to the government. For this particular work he received the prestigious Scissors Award from the then vice-president Al Gore in Washington D.C.

A master fly fisherman, Larry shared his hobby with his wife. Together they fished lakes and streams in Broken Bow, Okla.; Eagle's Nest, N.M.; and many spots in the Sierras. He was a gourmet cook and loved to do Texas-style barbeque.

He loved his family, especially his three step-children, who he considered as his own, and also his nieces and nephews. He was an animal -lover, and he was especially fond of his pet dog, Mr. Jinkles (PJ).

He is survived by his wife, Patricia and step-daughter, Emily Leach, both of Palo Alto. He is also survived by his step-sons, Philip J. and Daniel P. Leach of Houston, Texas; brother- and sister-in-law, Norma and Steve Henthorn; and brother Tommy Stevenson. He is also survived by his many nephews and nieces.

Funeral services have been held. In Lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to: Memorial Tribute in the name of Larry Stevenson , Community Working Group, 555 Bryant street, Box 321, Palo Alto, CA 94310.

Ruth Humphrey Swan

Born in 1922 at Methuen, Mass., Ruth Swan was an accomplished pianist and organist. She loved whistling with her strawberry Finch and keeping beat with Sousa on the Fourth of July.

She attended Edward F Searles High School in Massachusetts where she was voted the best all-round girl. As an active rainbow girl she served as Grand Worthy advisor of the Massachusetts Grand Assembly from 1942-1943. During the war she was the Colonel's secretary at the Climatic Research Laboratory in Lawrence, Mass. where she met her husband, the second lieutenant Lawrence W Swan.

She worked first at Annual Reviews and then as a secretary in medical microbiology at the Stanford Medical School from 1966-1987

With deep brown eyes and warm friendly smile, she had the perfect combination of charisma and appreciation of imagination in maintaining her Swan estate in Redwood City, which was revered by hundreds of visitors.

She is survived by her sister Dorothy Wickersham of Tucson, Ariz.; her children, Rhonda Jane Swan of Pasco, Wash.; Sharon Swan Schaller of Emerald Hills, Calif.; and Pamela Diane Swan of Chandler, Ariz.; and one granddaughter. No memorial service is planned but contributions may be made to the Hospice Foundation of America, 12000 Biscayane Boulevard, #505, Miami, FL 33181 or the Sempervirens Fund, Drawer BE, Los Altos, CA 94023.

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