Deaths Deaths (September 28, 2005)

Mary Elizabeth (Bette) Carr

Mary Elizabeth (Bette) Carr, a former employee of the Sequoia Union High School District, died Sept 7.

Born in Kansas on Nov. 19, 1913, she lived in Washington, D.C. and Kansas City, Mo. She moved to the Peninsula in 1944. She retired in 1979 from the Sequoia Union High School District as an administrative assistant at Ravenswood and Carlmont high schools.

She was an active member of Peninsula Volunteers and Little House, and she played tennis and golf. She was a member of The Funeral & Memorial Planning Society since 1963. She is survived by her son Peter Carr of Berkeley; daughter Susan Carr Palumbo of Kingman, Ariz.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. At her request, no service will be held.
Herb Bull

Herb Bull, a Menlo Park and Palo Alto resident since 1946, died Sept. 18 after fighting Parkinson's disease and a long illness following a fall on the golf course. He was 85.

Herb retired in Jan. 1985, after a management career in sales, marketing and corporate relations with Del Monte Foods and Golden State Company.

He was born in San Francisco and raised in Berkeley. He graduated as an economics major in 1941 from Stanford University where he played short-stop on the university frosh and varsity baseball teams. He was also a member of the Delta Chi fraternity.

After serving in World War II as a U.S. Naval officer, he returned to Stanford and in 1946 completed his graduate studies for an MBA degree.

While his sons were growing up in Palo Alto, he was active in the Palo Alto Boy Scout Council, Troop 57, the YMCA and the First Presbyterian Church. He was an avid golfer, long time member and past president of the Stanford Golf Club.

He is survived by his wife Doris Bull of Menlo Park; son Bill Bull of Fresno; son Herb Bull of Westfield, N.J.; stepdaughters Carol Johnson of Houston and Beth Shafer of Tucson; one granddaughter; two great-grandchildren; and four step grandchildren.
Dorothy Adams Gibbons

Dorothy Adams Gibbons, an employee of the Palo Alto Medical Research Foundation and a Palo Alto resident, died Aug. 23 after a long illness.

Following her victory over cancer in 1963, Dorothy volunteered and later accepted employment at the Palo Alto Medical Research Foundation. There, her rewarding work in the field of immunology involved taxoplasmosis research and clinical testing in the Serology Laboratory.

Dorothy was actively involved in projects and events at St. Albert the Great Parish and school. Her sewing skills helped to costume many shows at the Palo Alto Children's Theater where her three daughters were active cast members. As the leader of several Girl Scout troops, Dorothy touched many young lives.

While still a student in chemistry at Mundelein College, Dorothy made a list of historic sites around the world that she wished to visit. In 18 international journeys she visited all of the sites on the list. Each trip was preceded by months of intense study and funded by sewing work done at home. Al trips were documented with daily letters and 8,000 beautiful photographs.

Dorothy is survived by her brother Arthur F. Adams, II; three daughters: Mary Gibbons, Peggy Gibbons and Nancy Shyer; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Church of St. Albert the Great, 1995 Channing Ave. in Palo Alto. Donations to the Heifer International Dorothy Gibbons Funds are suggested in lieu of flowers.
Scott Pecota

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

Born 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 and Rachael Pecota; his mother, Betty Pecota; his brother, Jeff Pecota; and his loving friend, Jennifer Pecota.
Robert 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 Stevenson

Larry D. Stevenson, 54, an employee of the Department of Veteran's Affairs, died suddenly Sept. 1 while visiting family in Texas.

He was born May 31, 1951, in El Paso, Texas, 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 sectors.

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, he 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 stepchildren, who he considered as his own, and also his nieces and nephews. He was an animal lover and was especially fond of his pet dog, Mr. Jinkles (PJ).

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

A memorial service has been held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Memorial Tribute in the name of Larry Stevenson, Community Working Group, 555 Bryant St., Box 321, Palo Alto, CA 94310.
Maribeth Zimmerman

Maribeth Zimmerman, 56, a longtime former resident of Palo Alto, died Sept. 8 at her home in Rock Falls, Ill., surrounded by her family as they sang her favorite hymns.

She was an elementary teacher for Christian schools in California and later tutored children with special needs. She was a member of Berean Baptist Church in Rock Falls, Ill.

She was raised in Palo Alto, the daughter of John and Mary Alexander. She was a 1967 graduate of Palo Alto High School and earned her elementary teaching credential at San Jose State University.

She is survived by her husband, David Lee Zimmerman; daughters, Sarah (Andy) Pearson and Hannah Zimmerman of Rock Falls, Ill.; sister, Janet Alexander of Aptos, Calif.; brother, John (Cheryl) Alexander of Vancouver, B.C., Canada; brother, Geoffrey (Judy) Alexander of Soquel, Calif.; brother, Michael (Cindy) Alexander of Palo Alto; brother, Richard (Pam) Alexander of South Lake Tahoe, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were held in Illinois.

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