Deaths

Jane Ann Rolle Bishop

Jane Ann Rolle Bishop, 80, a 60-year resident of Palo Alto, died July 2 at home. Born in McCloud, she moved at an early age with her family to Fort Bragg, where she attended high school and played on the girls' basketball team. When she graduated, she married Earl Bishop, also of Fort Bragg, and the two moved to Palo Alto in 1940. After raising three children, she worked in downtown Palo Alto for Cardinal Laundry and in Midtown for Bergman's Department Store. In her retirement years, she enjoyed walking, swimming, biking, and caring for her family. She was a long-time participant of fitness and exercise classes at the Palo Alto YMCA, where she made many lasting friends. She is survived by a sister, Mary Green of San Leandro; two daughters, Diane Burke of Fremont and Patricia Rippey of Palo Alto; a son, Jim Bishop of Palo Alto; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life has been held.

Ruth Floyd

Ruth Floyd, 92, a longtime Palo Alto resident and California native, died July 21. She lived an active and independent life until her recent hospitalization. Born in Los Angeles, she moved to Palo Alto when her husband Ben Floyd accepted a position at Stanford University during the war. Later, Ben founded Palo Alto Radio and Television, which he operated until his death in 1986. A devoted wife, mother, and friend, she was well-known for her Christian compassion and outreach. She was an early member of the First Baptist Church of Menlo Park and was active in children's and fellowship ministries. For the past 35 years, she has participated in the worship life of Peninsula Bible Church. She is survived by two sons, Bill Floyd of Evanston, Ill.; and Rick Floyd of Newport, Maine; and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. in the Fireside Room of Peninsula Bible Church, 3505 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. Donations may be sent to Green Pastures, Inc.(a home for disabled children), 730 Cornelia Court, Mountain View, 94040.

Roy A. "Bud" Folger, 81, a beloved personality of the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas and longtime resident of Menlo Park and Palo Alto, died July 18 in Santa Cruz. A man of irrepressible good cheer and generosity, his love of music, humor and people endeared him to countless friends. He grew up in Palo Alto and graduated from the University of Santa Clara in 1941 before joining the Army Air Force and serving as master sergeant in the European campaign. He then went to work at his father's insurance brokerage firm and continued the business for the next 40 years. Until he and his wife Patricia moved to Santa Clara County in 1985, he was an active member of St. Raymond's Catholic Parish in Menlo Park, as well as the Guardsmen, the Olympic, and Bohemian clubs of San Francisco. He served as president of the Bohemian Club from 1971 through 1973. His great talent was in sharing his tremendous warmth, wit, and kindness with all he met. He is survived by six children, Roy Folger, Jr. of Mountain View; Timothy Folger of Watsonville; Laura Folger of San Francisco; Matthew Folger of Huntington Beach; Susan Thomson of Mountain View; and Sarah Folger of Los Angeles; three sisters, Elizabeth Erlin of Palo Alto; Grace Haid of Menlo Park; and Mary Barrett of Palm Springs; and an abundance of grandchildren. A memorial mass has been held. Donations may be sent to Camphill Special School-Beaver Run, 1784 Fairview Road, Glenmoore, Penn. 19343.

Henry M. Grant

Henry M. Grant, 86, a resident of Mountain View, died July 20. A native of Oklahoma, he was longtime milk deliveryman for Borden Milk Co. in Atherton and Palo Alto and also worked for Palo Alto High School. He is survived by five children: Wanda Mickulesku of Texas; Charles and Larry Grant of Santa Clara; Jerald Grant of Utah; and Barbara Arionus of Washington; a sister Eva Hunter of Colorado; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Services have been held. Donations can be made to the American Heart Association, 1 Almaden Blvd., Suite 500, San Jose, 95113-2214.

Geoffrey R. Schwerln

Geoffrey R. Schwerln, 60, a Palo Alto resident for more than 25 years, died July 26 of Lou Gehrig's disease. Born in Kansas City, Mo., he was an Eagle Scout and played football at the University of Kansas and UC Santa Barbara, where he got both a bachelor's and a master's degree. He then began his career selling scientific instruments for both Beckman Instruments and Varian Instruments in southern California and St. Louis, Mo. He was also active in the Cub Scouts. After moving to Palo Alto in 1973 with his family, he worked as a manufacturer's representative and started several small sales companies specializing in electronic components. His great love was traveling in the United States, especially to the beaches of the Northwest and the Red Rock country of the Southwest. He took pride in supporting youth the conservation activities. He is survived by his wife, Sally Schwerln; a daughter, Sandra Schwerln of San Carlos; a son, Michael Schwerln of Pasadena; mother, Cornella Schwerln of San Diego; a sister, Pam Ballmes of Aptos; and a brother, Albert Schwerln of Florida. A memorial service has been held. Donations may be made to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) research.

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