May 9, 1939 — Feb. 16, 2016

After a long battle with Parkinson’s Plus, Robert M. Torrance died peacefully at home, at age 76, with his wife holding his hand. He will be missed by her, Donna Reed; her children, Rebecca Reed-Lunn and Benjamin Reedlunn, Ben’s wife Brooke and their two children, Linnaea and Caleb. And he will be missed by his sons, Nick and Ben Torrance, Ben’s wife Taryn, their two children, Zev and Xia; and his former wife, Mildred Torrance, as well as friends and countless students.

As a professor of comparative literature at UC Davis for 25 years, he often directed that program and played a key role in designing the curriculum. He frequently amazed his students with what seemed an encyclopedic knowledge of more than literature.

While still a Harvard undergraduate he began publishing translations of Sophocles’ plays. Conversant with 10 languages, he wrote several more books following his broad interests, among them “The Comic Hero,” “Encompassing Nature” and “Dante’s Inferno: A New Translation in Terza Rima.”

Bob loved poetry above all. Here is a fitting excerpt from one of his own poems:

…our fragile life must often seem
A tiny islet in the vast sea of death
Soon to submerge us all:
a candle’s beam
Glimpsed, then extinguished by a transient breath…
Let us hold one another ever fast
As long as this brief radiance shall last.

A commemoration of Bob’s life will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at his home.

d. Feb. 22, 2016

Jon Edwin Vochatzer passed away on Feb. 22, 2016, due to complications from strokes suffered on Jan. 20 at his home in Davis.

“Coach V,” as he was known in the Aggie athletic family, is survived by sons Chris and Scott; grandson Jonathan and granddaughter Addison; wife Deanne; his mother Mary; and brothers Gary and Charlie Vochatzer.

Born in Los Angeles, Jon later attended Stagg High School in Stockton, then attended Cal State Hayward where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education, specializing in adaptive physical education, his real love. After teaching stints at James Logan High School and American High School in the Bay Area, Jon took a position overseas in Bittburg and Nurnberg American High Schools in Germany before returning to UC Davis in 1987.

He coached football and track while teaching classes at UC Davis until he switched to track and field for most of his career. UC Davis enjoyed immense success under Jon’s leadership and he branched out to the world stage, coaching for the United States at the 1999 World Track and Field Championships and then serving as co-director of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento with his wife Deanne.

Upon retirement in 2010, “Coach V and Coach Dee” enjoyed their motor home trips, fishing, kayaking, their grandchildren and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life has been planned for March 13, 2016, at the Conference Center on the UC Davis campus with a reception to follow. The family is requesting casual dress. In lieu of flowers, please consider the Jon Vochatzer Memorial Fund, UC Regents, One Shields Drive, Davis, CA 95616.

Nov. 7, 1925 – Feb. 28, 2016
Jane Baker Lotter passed away at home on Feb. 28, 2016, at the age of 90, surrounded by her family. A Facebook page with photo gallery has been created at www.facebook.com/janebakerlotter. A memorial service will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, 27074 Patwin Road in Davis.

June 2, 1921 — Feb. 12, 2016

Robert passed away on Feb. 12, 2016, at his Davis home.

He was born June 2, 1921, to Art and Mary Gale in their Winters home. He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Lou, brother Donald, sister Laura, and son Mark.

Robert is survived by his daughter Laura of Winters, son Allen and daughter Robin of Davis, his sister Elizabeth, brothers Gerald and Eugene, granddaughter Teri, three great-grandsons and many nieces and nephews.

Robert graduated from Winters High School in 1939, then attended UC Davis, where he majored in agricultural engineering. He then enlisted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and served as a fighter pilot throughout WWII. He flew 182 missions in the Burma-China-India Theater and obtained the rank of major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

He was married in February of 1945 and returned to the United States with his wife Annette of New York. He worked as a commercial contractor in the family business. He then moved to the home he built in Davis in 1960 where lived for the remainder of his life.

A celebration will begin at noon Friday, April 15, at St. Anthony’s Parish Hall, 511 Main St. in Winters. Friends and family are invited to attend.

March 4, 1944 – Feb. 24, 2016

Cynthia Ann Jonasen was born on March 4, 1944, in Johnstown, Pa., the daughter of William J. and Marion Yacos Anderson. Her life ended abruptly in a tragic car accident in Davis, just a few minutes from her home, on Feb. 24, 2016.

A graduate of the University of Puget Sound, she worked as a social worker in Seattle, and as a juvenile probation officer for Yolo County. After retiring from the county, she worked in displays and sales at several downtown stores.

She is survived by her husband, David Lewis Jonasen; daughters Heather Linnea Jonasen and Kelly Andrea Jonasen; grandchildren Kristina Rene Keen and Tyler Eldon Holladay; and sisters Laurel Roberts of El Paso, Texas, and Alice Anderson of Charlottesville, Va.

A memorial service will celebrate her life at 2 p.m. Monday, March 7, at the Davis Community Presbyterian Church, 412 C St. in Davis, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to support King High, a continuation school in Davis, or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Those who wish to sign a guestbook online may do so at www.smith-funerals.com.

April 19, 1920 – Feb. 29, 2016

Harold (Hal) Collins was born and raised in Oakland to Florence and Harold E. Collins Sr. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in engineering and entered the U.S. Navy through ROTC. He served as communications officer on the USS Pensacola in the Pacific Campaign during WWII.

Hal married Ruth Apple in 1945 and continued his postgraduate education at Cal Tech and the U.S. Naval Academy.

After the war he began working at Standard Oil Company, later Chevron, for 37 years and lived in various parts of the country as he was transferred within the company. In the late 1950s, Hal and Ruth and their children Dianne and Larry moved to Orinda for his commute to the Chevron office in San Francisco.

Hal took early retirement from Chevron in 1980 and began to study for the CPA exam, becoming the oldest person to be granted a CPA license in California. He founded a CPA practice in Walnut Creek specializing in analyzing retirement options for clients.

In 2001 following Ruth’s death, Hal moved to University Retirement Community in Davis and married Marjorie Turner in 2003. He enjoyed the community of Davis and URC, becoming active in the Davis Community Church and various committees at URC.

Hal is survived by his wife Marj; brother Bob (Donna) of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter Dianne Tobias (Gary Godefroy) of Davis; son Larry Collins (Cathy) of Concord; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Hal will be remembered for his quick smile and laugh, his analytic mind and his love for his family, Cal Bears and the Giants.

A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at Davis Community Church, 412 C St. Memorial gifts may be sent in Hal’s name to the church or to Yolo Hospice.

July 17, 1922 — March 3, 2016

John Howard Wren passed away peacefully on March 3, 2016, at University Retirement Community Health Care Center, surrounded by his family. He was 93.

John was born July 17, 1922, in Payette, Idaho, the third of seven children of Ira N. and Mary (Thaxton) Wren. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II and then attended college at the University of Idaho in Moscow. There, he met and married the love of his life, Geraldine Shortridge, on May 27, 1945. They raised five children, four of whom they adopted, and celebrated 61 years of marriage together.

Employed in the field of social work, lastly as a federal probation officer for the U.S. District Court in Sacramento, he retired in 1984 and started a handyman business. John was always tinkering with something, which he thoroughly enjoyed, and loved using his skills to help others.

Later, he and Gerrie enjoyed years of traveling and researching their family history, which resulted in two books that John wrote, detailing his ancestry for 10 generations. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for many years, and served in various capacities.

For recreation, John enjoyed family-centered activities, especially events involving his many grandchildren. He loved to ski and was an avid cyclist. Weather permitting, his bicycle was his favorite mode of transportation to work from Davis into Sacramento. He was instrumental in lobbying to get the bike path installed along the Yolo Causeway.

John loved woodworking, and enjoyed spending many hours in his shop, making furniture and chess boards for all of his children. He had an inquisitive mind, loved puzzles of all kinds and was always inventing gadgets. He did all of his own home-improvement work, the biggest of which was adding two bedrooms onto the family home, doing all of the work himself except for laying the carpet.

John loved gardening, music, singing and playing the harmonica, and was a ferocious reader. He loved birds and watching them come to the many feeders he built.

For 10 1/2 years, John provided tender loving care to his wife, Gerrie who suffered a debilitating stroke in 1994, and enjoyed reading many books to her during this time. After she died, he kept busy with volunteer work, including the Yolo Food Bank, and was active in the Woodland Senior Center and the Hearing Loss Association of America, Woodland/Davis Chapter.

John was often seen on his daily walks around his neighborhood, later in life with the assistance of the customized canes that he made out of his old ski poles and golf clubs. John had a positive attitude, largely due to his ability to derive joy from the simplest things in life, and he will always be remembered for his big-hearted smile.

John is preceded in death by his loving wife Geraldine; brothers Spencer, George, Gilbert and Lyle; and sister, Hazel. 

John is survived by sister Dorothy Weppler of Issaquah, Wash., and his five children: Carl (Pat) of Spartanburg, S.C., Donna Wren Sullivan and Judy (Bob) Mustard of Davis, Susan (Tom) Watkins of Esparto and William (Lisa) Wren of Corvallis, Ore.; 20 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren, all of whom loved him deeply.

The family would especially like to thank the staff and caregivers at Atria Covell Gardens, Carlton Senior Living, URC Healthcare Center and Yolo Hospice, all of whom helped to make the last years and days of his life as pleasant as possible.

There have been so many wonderful people, too many to name here, but we hope that you know who you are and how appreciative that we as a family are, that he received the best care possible from all of you.

A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Friday, March 11, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 615 Elmwood Drive in Davis, with a burial and reception immediately following.

Ruby “Eiko” Akiyoshi was born in San Mateo on Jan. 19, 1930, and passed away in Davis on Feb. 23, 2016. She was born to Eichi and Hisano Yamamoto and rasied in Petaluma until her family was uprooted from their home and relocated to an internment camp in Crystal City, Texas, during World War II.

A memorial gathering will begin at noon Sunday, March 13, at the Putah Creek Lodge on the UC Davis campus.

June 7, 1926 — Jan. 27, 2016

Noma Claire (Souders) Wilken, 89, of Davis peacefully passed away at home and went to be with the Lord on Jan. 27, 2016. The youngest of three daughters, Noma was born in North Hollywood, California to Dorothea and Lloyd Souders on June 7, 1926. She proudly called Davis her home for the past eighteen years.

Noma’s early childhood was spent mostly in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California, with a brief time in Kansas. After graduating from North Hollywood High School in 1943, Noma attended UCLA, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. She was an active member of the Wesley Foundation, Chi Omega Sorority and the Mortar Board Honor Society. Noma married her college sweetheart, Frederick Kent Wilken of Santa Monica, on Aug. 1, 1947.

Shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Evanston, Illinois to attend Garrett Theological Seminary at Northwestern University where Fred trained for the pastorate and Noma earned a master’s degree in religion. The couple soon began a ministry with the United Methodist Church that spanned several decades and took them from Illinois to Connecticut, and finally back to California where they ultimately settled in the Fresno area to raise six children.

In each church the Wilkens served, Noma excelled in teaching. She loved children and had a heart for instructing Bible Studies and organizing Vacation Bible School events. After moving with her family to Sanger in 1968, Noma earned a teaching credential and taught Kindergarten and 1st Grade in the Sanger Unified School District for 23 years, working primarily with children of migrant farm workers. Her dedication to her family, her church and her students earned her the honor of being named Sanger’s “Mother of the Year” in 1975. Noma retired from teaching in 1991.

In 1998, Noma moved to Davis to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She joined University Covenant Church and participated in prayer ministries, organized a mentoring program, helped with Vacation Bible School and managed a church lending library. She was an active member of SPARKS senior fellowship group, the Tuesday women’s Bible study and the Thursday evening small group.

Noma had great compassion for families affected by mental illness and led a support group for them at UCC. During retirement, her passion for writing grew as she chronicled her life while participating in the Davis Memoirs Group at the Davis Senior Center. As a California native, Noma loved the mountains and was passionate about preserving God’s natural wonders. She also enjoyed hiking, singing, gardening, crossword puzzles, reading stories to her grandchildren and caring for her desert tortoise.

Noma Wilken was completely devoted to serving God with her time and her talents. Her hope in God’s provision for her life and for her family was daily displayed in her optimistic and positive outlook. Despite numerous trials and various hardships, Noma’s daily decision to choose joy left a lasting legacy of thankfulness to all who knew her.

Noma is survived by her six children, Debbi Ricks (Bill), Kent Wilken (Cathy), Charlotte Wilson (Doug), Gayle Lomeli (Martin), Dean Wilken (Melinda) and Dawn Sullivan; grandchildren Megan Abraham (Jose), Nathan Ricks, Brian Ricks, Tyler Wilken, Matthias Wilken, Tommy Wilson, John Wilken, Chas Wilken, Grace Wilken, Katie Sullivan, Linley Sullivan, Ryan Sullivan, Colleen Sullivan; and great-grandchildren Isaac Abraham and Liliana Abraham.

Please join the family at a celebration of Noma’s life at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at University Covenant Church, 315 Mace Blvd. in Davis. In lieu of flowers, please honor Noma’s most recent passion, helping people overcome all types of habits, hurts and hangups, by donating to UCC’s “Celebrate Recovery” program.

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b.

Jan. 24, 1930 — March 7, 2016

Charles Wilson Beadle, age 86, died on Monday, March 7, 2016, at his home in Davis.

He was born on Jan. 24, 1930, in Beverly, Mass., the son of Thomas Beadle and Jean Wilson Beadle. He received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Tufts College in 1951, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1954 and a doctoral degree from Cornell University in 1961.

He worked as a research engineer at General Motors Research Laboratories in Detroit and at RCA in Princeton, N.J., before joining the mechanical engineering faculty at UC Davis in 1961. He was a professor there for 30 years, also serving as department chairman, retiring in 1991.

He married Dorothy Elizabeth Struyk of New Jersey in 1956, whom he met in the Green Mountain Club. They were both avid hikers and shared strong beliefs in nature conservation. After moving to California, Charles and Dorothy took their children on many hiking trips in the Sierra, and the entire family returned to Vermont each summer for many years.

Charles is survived by his three children: Steven Beadle of Arroyo Grande and his wife Katy Ayer; Sara Reed of Stowe, Vt.; and Gordon Beadle of Cambridge, Mass., and his wife Marina Boni. He is also survived by seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas Beadle Jr., and by his wife, Dorothy (Struyk) Beadle.

Charles will be missed by many, including his family, his 12th Street neighbors, his hiking friends and many former colleagues and students. He deeply loved Davis, particularly Davis Community Church and the Davis Food Co-op, and he treasured the ability to navigate Davis on his three-wheeled bicycle in his later years.

No service is scheduled at this time, but a memorial service will be planned for a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Vermont Land Trust, 8 Bailey Ave., Montpelier, VT 05602. Those who wish to sign a guestbook online may do so at www.smith-funerals.com.

Jan. 19, 1930 — Feb. 23, 2016

Ruby “Eiko” Akiyoshi passed away in Davis on Feb. 23, 2016.

Ruby was born on Jan. 19, 1930, to Eichi and Hisano Yamamoto in San Mateo and rasied in the small town of Petaluma. Her family was uprooted from their home and relocated to Crystal City, Texas, during the internment of Japanese-American citizens.

After her family was released, they were able to return to their home in Petaluma. She was accepted at UC Berkeley in the art department and studied medical illustration. There, she met a fellow student, Minoru Akiyoshi, whom she married in 1952. They moved to Davis in the late 1950s, where they raised their three children, Jeanne, David and Joyce.

Ruby was a devoted mother and spent much of her time and effort with the family. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, Brownie’s and Girl Scout organizer. Later in life, she enjoyed a career working for the UC Davis Registrar’s office. Classical music was a passion for her and she went on many outings with her friends to San Francisco Symphony as a season ticket holder. She was also a SF Giants fan and even looked forward to attending games at windy Candlestick park. Along with her husband, she was active in the local Gourmet Club where they prepared and enjoyed food and wine with their friends.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Minoru; children Joyce Schilling and her husband, Tyler of Davis, and David Akiyoshi and his wife, Trisha, of Lodi; brothers Sachio Yamamoto of San Diego and Yutaka Yamamoto of Kobe, Japan; and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her beloved daughter Jeanne.

A memorial gathering will begin at noon Sunday, March 13, the Putah Creek Lodge, parking off Garrod Drive, UC Davis campus.

June 25, 1959 — March 1, 2016

John William “Buddy” McGrath Jr. died on March 1, 2016, in Shady Cove, Ore., following a lengthy illness. He will be lovingly remembered by his parents, John and Gwen McGrath Sr.; a sister, Catherine McGrath Richardson; an aunt, Jayne McGrath Sutton; and two nephews, Joseph and Adam Richardson.

Buddy was born in Brookhaven, Miss., on June 25, 1959. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany for four years. After being honorably discharged, he lived in Davis for a number of years before moving to Oregon, eventually settling in Shady Cove. Interment will be in Eagle Point National Cemetery in Eagle Point, Ore.

The family requests that all memorials be a gift in his name to your favorite charity rather than gifts or flowers.

Nov. 14, 1960 — Feb. 28, 2016

Inessa Eden Abrams Snyder, a well-known social worker in Davis who devoted a large part of her life to helping the less fortunate, died Feb. 28, 2016, in Tarzana after a lengthy illness. She was 55.

She was surrounded by family and friends as she succumbed to a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Through her ordeal she maintained her cheerful and optimistic attitude that lifted up those around her.

She was born in Glendale on Nov. 14, 1960, and attended local schools, including Taft High School, where she graduated in 1978.

She later attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, earning a bachelor of science degree in psychology in 1984. As part of her studies, she participated in the Pepperdine “Year in Europe” program in Heidelberg, Germany, and was fluent in German. Her time in Europe cemented a lifelong love of travel.

Following college she worked in various group home settings in Southern California and Northern California. In 1987 she married Russell Snyder, also a Pepperdine graduate, and the couple’s careers took them to Sacramento; Alexandria, Va.; Westlake Village; and Davis. The couple divorced in 2001.

Ms. Abrams Snyder worked in Davis for the Short-Term Emergency Aid Committee (STEAC), a well-known charity in town assisting the poor. She later worked for more than 13 years for Davis Community Meals (DCM) as a resource center coordinator.

In 2015, DCM provided 6,308 meals to more than 500 homeless men, women and children, and emergency shelter to 88 homeless men and women. Many assisted by DCM later found jobs and permanent housing. She was tough but fair, and many of her clients credit their interaction with her for helping to turn around their lives. During her illness, she received many well-wishes from clients and her co-workers donated leave time to her.

She is survived by her parents, Marvin S. Abrams and Eileen S. Abrams, of Tarzana, and her sister, Joyce M. Abrams, of Northridge, as well as numerous cousins.

A celebration of her life will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 30, at the Episcopal Church of St. Martin, 640 Hawthorn Lane in Davis. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to Davis Community Meals, P.O. Box 72463, Davis, CA 95617.

March 21, 1947 – Feb. 28, 2016

On the evening of Feb. 28, 2016, Butch Conway passed away. He was 68 years old.

Butch was born March, 21, 1947, in Wolfe Lake, Ill., to Everett and Josephine Conway. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years and retired with an honorable discharge. He later worked for UC Davis at the Carlson Health Sciences Library for 10 years. He retired from UCD in 2008 to become a stay-at-home dad. Butch loved his family and meeting new people. His passions were golf and the New York Yankees.

He is survived by his three children, Belinda Graham, Carson Conway and Braedon Conway; his wife, Audrey Conway; and his three grandchildren, Peyton, Chaz and Maverick Graham. He was preceded in death by his son, Neal Conway, and his first wife, Deborah Conway.

Butch will be greatly missed.

July 3, 1959 — March 7, 2016

Marc Hugh Bach is the son of Max and Huguette Bach, brother of Nickie Bach, and brother-in-law of Ray Stewart. He will be greatly missed.

Marc was a lifelong Davis resident and a graduate of Davis Senior High School and UC Davis. When he was in elementary school, he was one of the youngest cyclists to complete the Davis Double Century bicycle ride. He went on to serve many years in the restaurant business, and he played a vital role in the Crêpe Bistro until it closed in 2004.

Marc was a complex and intelligent man who was proud of his French and German roots. He loved fiddling with his pond, traveling, hiking, and politics. As an enthusiastic audiophile, he took great pleasure in music, and virtually anything relating to the Grateful Dead.

He leaves behind many friends who enriched his life, and who helped him the past few years. Marc would want these special people who played a seminal role in his life acknowledged … among them are Don and Sue Sawyer, Noel Manners, Laurel Renardson, Nina Hungerland (for whom Marc had special affection), Tom Kirk, and especially Andy Roberts who stood by Marc, through thick and thin.

Contributions in Marc’s memory may be made to the Seva Foundation (www.seva.org), or to Tuleyome Trails (www.tuleyome.org) for the maintenance and improvement of “Annie’s Trail.”

Jan. 9, 1946 — March 6, 2016

On the morning of March 6, 2016, Barbara Leonard Nichols passed away peacefully in her sleep, after saying goodbye to close family members in her last days, and after having lived a full and adventurous life. She was 70 years old.

Barbara was born in Hartford, Conn., on Jan. 9, 1946, the second child and eldest daughter to Barbara and Edward Nichols. Barbara attended Miss Porter’s School followed by college at Bennett and SUNY where she earned a bachelor’s degree in dance. She was an active and headstrong young person — she dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer, loved skiing (snow and water), and famously broke the “no sun tanning” ban at Miss Porter’s, landing herself in the infirmary with a severe sunburn.

Barbara met Pieter Stroeve in the summer of 1965 while crossing the Atlantic on the way to Europe. They married in September 1967, and raised three daughters while traveling the world and living in Massachusetts, Israel, the Netherlands and New York before escaping the snow to move to Davis in 1981. Barbara loved the heat and sun, and always relished in 100-plus-degree days.

In Davis, Barbara went back to school to get her teaching credential and co-taught for seven years at Fairfield Elementary, which she loved. Barbara also taught elementary school and earned a master’s degree in ESL education in Tucson, Ariz., where she moved after her divorce in 1993. She had a special connection with children and a talent for engaging students with learning challenges — language and otherwise.

Barbara returned to the Davis area after she and John Clark fell in love and then married in August 1999 at their country home in Winters. In Winters, Barbara continued teaching, loved hiking the gorgeous rolling hills, hanging out with their dogs, and enjoying small-town life.

In 2000, Barbara suffered a hemorrhagic stroke with a prognosis that she may not walk again. However, with her physical determination and mental stubbornness she persevered — regaining her strength to return to teaching, hike the hills and spend time with John and their growing number of grandchildren. Barbara and John moved back to Davis in 2013.

Barbara loved her independence and pursued many activities, from swimming, walking, yoga classes at the Senior Center and book club (she was a voracious reader) to travels with John to Cambria, Point Reyes, Alaska and Ireland, or just to the local movie theater.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and father-in-law John J. Clark. She is survived by her loving husband, John E. Clark; her daughters and sons-in-law, Dale and Jason Taormino, Marijke and Nathaniel Melman and Yoly and Valentín Stroeve-Almanza; her seven grandchildren; her siblings, Webb Nichols, Dale Steffens and Kate Nichols-Zeitland; and her mother-in-law Betty Clark and sister-in-law Kathleen Chavez. She also will be much missed by many dear friends.

The family will be holding a celebration of her life at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, April 17, at the Pence Gallery in Davis. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to favorite charities in her name.

Jan. 9, 1930 — March 2, 2016

With love in our hearts, we announce that Sue Raab Smith died peacefully at the age of 86 on March 2, 2016.

Sue was born in 1930 in Chicago to Mathias and Mary Elizabeth Raab. She grew up in Western Springs, Ill. She met Edwin Eugene Smith and they married in 1951. Sue and Ed moved to San Diego in 1956, eventually settling in Thousand Oaks in the mid-1960’s where they raised their five children. Sue worked for the Conejo Valley School District for 25 years. She worked as a classified employee at Redwood Junior High and Westlake High School.

In 1995, Sue and Ed retired to Murrieta, Calif., where Sue enjoyed playing bridge, Ed enjoyed playing pool and they tended to their garden. In 2014, Sue moved into an assisted living facility in Davis close to her oldest son, Tom and his wife, Kathy.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Edwin Eugene Smith.

She is survived by her five children, Thomas Michael (Kathy), Cheryl Sue, Timothy Joseph, Theodore (Rachel) and Carolyn Elizabeth (Eddie) and five grandchildren, Kathryn Anna Moran, Claire Duray Moran, Nathaniel Smith, Benjamin Smith and Luke Smith.

A celebration of her life will take place April 9, 2016, at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside.

June 25, 1950 — March 8, 2016

William Griswold Porte, 65, of Auburn died peacefully at home on March 8, 2016.

He was born June 25, 1950, in Washington, D.C., to the late William Lyon Porte and Matile Griswold Allen. He graduated from Fountain Valley School of Colorado and received his bachelor of science in 1972 and master of business administration in 1973 from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

After managing the regional offices for Ford Motor Co. in New Orleans and New York City, Bill followed his passion for science and moved to Davis to study animal medicine. In 1986 he earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from UC Davis. He then joined Sacramento Veterinary Surgical Services, becoming a co-owner in 1988. He later sold sole ownership of this practice to his staff, and in 2005, the Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center became owners under the umbrella of VCA. Throughout the changes, Bill remained a staff veterinarian.

He was appointed to the Small Animal Clinic External Advisory Board of the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in 2002-05. He was the technical reviewer for two books, “Dogs for Dummies” and “Cats for Dummies,” and a veterinary consultant for “Good Morning, America.” Veterinary Economics highlighted the Sacramento Surgical Services as a “Practice of Excellence,” March 1997, and Veterinary Quarterly named Bill one of the top veterinarians in 2004.

As an amateur astronomer, Bill was an active member of the Golden State Star Party. He was an avid traveler and loved the outdoors, including hiking, kayaking and birdwatching. What he liked most was spending time with family and friends.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Marsha, his sons Ryan and Alex of San Francisco and his daughter, Lara of Cameron Park, CA; his stepchildren Christine and her husband Scott Hildula of Orinda, CA, Cami and her husband Steve Kappos of Granite Bay, CA, and Tom Robinson and his wife, Anne Crealock of Santa Rosa, CA, and eight step-grandchildren. He also leaves a sister Kay and her husband Timm Rodgers of Northridge, CA, a brother-in-law Hort Shapiro of Piedmont, CA, a brother- and sister-in-law Tony and Barbara Vella of San Jose, CA, and a brother- and sister-in-law Phil and Sheri Hitchings of Incline Village, NV. He leaves eight nieces, eight nephews, ten great-nieces, eight great-nephews, all of whom will miss him dearly. He was predeceased by a sister Betty Shapiro.

A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, April 1, at Bayside Church, 8191 Sierra College Blvd. in Roseville.

In lieu of flowers, checks can be sent to Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, noting that the donation is in honor of Dr. Bill Porte. Everyone who donates will receive a letter acknowledging their contribution, which is also tax-deductible.

1935 — 2016

On March 11, 2016, Andrew John Gabor died peacefully after a brief stay at Sutter Davis Hospital. His family members were with him in person and in spirit. We are exceedingly grateful that he is at eternal peace.

Andy was born to Barbara Berkes Gabor and Andrew George Gabor in Budapest, Hungary, in 1935. They soon immigrated to the United States, settling in New York. Andy was active in Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. In 1952, he graduated from the High School of Music and Art in NYC.

He first attended New York University where he was on the swim team. At George Washington University, he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and was granted the bachelor’s degree in zoology in 1956 and the Master of Science degree in anatomy in 1958.

That same year Andy entered the graduate school at Duke University and soon met fellow graduate student Judith Anne Bailey. They were later married in her hometown of Roanoke, Va.

At Duke, Andy was the second student to undertake a combined Ph.D. and M.D. program. He earned the Ph.D. in neuroanatomy in 1962 and the M.D. in 1963. His internship and neurology residency were also at Duke. In 1967, Andy and Judy moved to Maryland where he completed a two-year fellowship in the Public Health Service at the National Institutes of Health.

In 1969 with two babies in tow, this young family headed west to join the faculty of the new medical school at UC Davis. Andy’s first job was assistant professor in the department of neurology, as well as director of the Electroencephalography (EEG) Laboratory, a positon he held until retirement. He became department chair in 1981 and served for a decade. He also held joint appointments in the School of Veterinary Medicine and in the School of Medicine’s department of behavioral biology.

During his 45 years of practice in academic medicine, Andy published many papers, most centering on various aspects of seizure disorders. In later years, his research focused on neural networking — programming computers to read the Sleep EEG in order to significantly reduce physician time spent on this extremely time-intensive procedure.

Andy was active in national neurology associations and other professional and honorary organizations and served on National Institutes of Health study groups. He was president of the American EEG Society and chair of the American Board of Qualification in Electroencephalography. Upon his retirement as professor emeritus, Andy volunteered for another decade at the UCD Medical Center and remained active on state and national levels.

As with all School of Medicine faculty, Andy spent considerable time teaching and mentoring interns and residents in addition to medical students. One of his very successful neurology residents, George York, wrote in 2008, “After practicing neurology for 25 years, I am firmly convinced that Andy taught me how to think like a neurologist. I use [his] dicta and aphorisms, [his] way of thinking about problems, every single day. Words can’t express the depth of my gratitude.”

Locally, Andy volunteered for many years with Habitat for Humanity, Davis Community Church, Davis Schools, Davis Aquatic Masters, and All Things Right and Relevant. He cheerfully assisted Judy with projects for dozens of organizations over the years. In 1982, Andy received special recognition from Yolo County and the Davis Police Department.

Over the decades, Andy took his family on long road trips throughout the country; they often included camping with many close family friends. The Gabor family all enjoyed an academic sabbatical in Montreal, Canada and traveled in many other countries throughout the years.

From its beginning, Andy enjoyed many concerts and other events at UCD’s Mondavi Performing Arts Center. He was an excellent swimmer and scuba diver. The family especially enjoyed skiing and spending time in Lake Tahoe where Andy often volunteered for the ski patrol.

Andy will be remembered by his many Davis friends for his wonderful sense of humor and his smile. He was also known as a masterful carpenter and someone who could build or fix almost anything electrical, automotive or technological. Those talents he happily shared with others.

Andy leaves behind Judith Bailey Gabor, his wife of 55 years; children Elizabeth Anne Gabor of Davis, Christopher David Gabor and his wife Robin of St. Simons Island, Ga., and Margaret Gabor Jacobo and her husband Juan Ernesto Jacobo of San Diego; and grandchildren Olivia Anne Jacobo, Maya Lucila Jacobo and Nicolas Jacobo, all of San Diego.

Andy expressed in his oral memoirs for his family, “I most cherish my wife and children. Family is the way to truly change the world. I hope you also believe this and act on this with your own families.”

His memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at Davis Community Church 412 C St. in Davis.

Should one wish to make a charitable contribution in Dr. Gabor’s memory, consider Davis Community Church, 412 C St, Davis 95616, or UC Davis, Department of Neurology in memory of Andrew J. Gabor, checks payable to UC Davis Foundation, Health Sciences Development, 4900 Broadway, Suite 1150, Sacramento 95820. And there are hundreds of other excellent causes.

Robert Joyce Datel, 90, of Davis, died March 15, 2016. He was a retired civil engineer for Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation.