Obituaries2013

The following are obituaries of members of Branch Number 1 of Sons in Retirement who have passed away in 2013. The obituaries have been obtained from the Obituary Column of either the San Francisco Chronicle or the San Mateo County Times. Please click on the names for additional details.

Charlie joined SIR Branch 1 in July 2010 and was member 246.

Charles George Dondero was born on 59th Street in Oakland, California on January 13, 1913. He died 7 years to the day of his wife’s death Judy Dondero on March 12, 2013. He was able to celebrate his 100th birthday with his many family and friends at the Palace Hotel on his birthday.

Charlie Dondero is survived by his one son Marco Dondero and his daughter-in-law Joan. He had four grandchildren, Rachel, Benjamin, Simeon and Sarah. He also had six great grandchildren, Rian, Kaelah, Bella, Kai, Chiara and Marcello.

After Charles was born he got polio in his right leg, but this never stopped from being an active individual. He went to President High School and graduated from UC Berkley in 1935. He started his career as the personal secretary to AP Giannini. He met his wife while working at the Bank of America Piedmont Branch. He was married on September 19, 1943, one of the hottest recorded days, at St Leo's Church in Piedmont.

Charlie and his wife Judy were able to purchase property in the Country Club Drive area where they built a home and lived for over 60 years. Charles Dondero then took over his father’s marble and stone construction business, known as The Dondero Marble Company on Third and Army Street. The building is still there with its signature Pink Tennessee Marble windows and its floors with marble from all the various jobs that Charles had completed. Charles used the marble from the quarry that his grandfather founded in Amador County near Pine Grove. Charlie had a monument dedicated to his grandfather for the discovery of that quarry, and it stands across from the general store in the town of Volcano as one of his last works honoring the family name.

Charles Dondero along with his wife Judy Dondero were founders and past presidents of the Oakland Ski Cub. They were instrumental in building the Oakland Ski club as well as being avid skiers. Charles was also a member of The Wine and food society, and along with others in 1963 started another branch of the society known as California Vintage Wine society whose functions he lead and attended until just before his 100th birthday when he attended the Christmas dinner at the Pacific Union Club.

As a Marble and Stone Construction businessman he worked on many of the buildings in San Francisco. He put marble into the War Memorial Opera House and City Hall which came from the California Quarry his grandfather founded. He also had marble put into many of the banks and businesses in San Francisco, as well as doing many jobs in private homes. Later in his business he merged with the Georgia Marble Company and became the Western Division of the Georgia Marble Company, but retained the Dondero name. Later in his career he worked as a consultant and helped to build the Saint Marys Cathedral. He had the marble altar and baptismal fount brought from Italy both of which where made from single blocks of marble. He also consulted with Enrico Manfrini to do the bronze work in the front of the Cathedral depicting the resurrection scene.

Charles was also instrumental in bringing the Winter Olympics to Squaw Valley. During the war he was on ski patrol in the Sugar Bowl Area. Charlie, as he was affectionately known by his friends, was a world traveler. He planned and organized many trips with his friend George Geramoni and others. He made many friends through his travels and kept those friendships till his last days He was a gracious and fun host of many parties along with his wife Judy. One of his social groups was knows as the Gourmet Group of “in-laws and out-laws” friends and cousins who just had fun every two months taking turns in their homes entertaining each other. Dad loved the night life in San Francisco and was an avid opera goer along with exposing his son Marco to the lighter side of opera through musicals such as Hello Dolly, My Fair Lady, and the San Francisco Pops concerts.

Dad lived a long, full and happy life. We are grateful for his values of work, keeping family together, the value of the family name, enjoyment of the good things in life and his gracious ways of making you feel welcome and a life time friend. We will miss you dad, grandpa, great grandpa and friend.

Viewing: Wednesday March 20th from 4-7 PM Albert Brown Mortuary, 3476 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611

The Funeral Service will be on:

       Date: Thursday March 21st
      Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Saint Theresa Parish
                 30 Mandalay Road
                 Oakland, CA 94618

Please in lieu of flowers you may give donations to Best Buddies at:
BestBuddiesCalifornia.org (donations can be given right online) Thank you in advance for your donations and kindness.

Obituary provided by Marco Dondero March 15, 2013

Gilman L. "Gil" Goodrich

July 21, 1942 - May 30, 2013

Gil joined SIR Branch 1 in September 2006 and was member 67. Sir Gil was Stamp Activity chair 2007-2013, Director of Activities 2008, Little Sir 2009, Roster Preparation 2009, Speakers chair 2009, Big Sir 2010, Assistant Speaker chair 2010-2012, Assistant Nominating 2011-2013, and Nominating chair 2013.

(More details will be posted when available)

Ernest R. Kunney

March 21, 1913 - January 2, 2013

Ernest joined SIR Branch 1 in May 1991 and was formerly member 110 but has been inactive since July 2005.

The wife and children of Ernest Robert Kunney sadly announce the death of our husband and father. Ernest passed away peacefully at home at the age of 99 four months after a debilitating fall.

Ernest was born in Munich, Germany, the youngest of three sons, to Maximilian Kahn and Franziska Rosenberg Kahn. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Frederick Kahn (d. 1994) and Hans Kahn (d. 1954). As a young man in Munich, Ernest studied and trained as a chemist and brew master. Unfortunately, his aspirations of working in a German brewery were never fulfilled. He and his family staunchly opposed Nazi persecution and were driven from Germany in 1933. Ernest's narrow escape from Nazi Germany fundamentally changed his view of society, politics, and religion, and led to deep American patriotism. In 1943, he joined the US Army, stationed at Camp Ritchie, MD, and worked as a translator and interpreter in military intelligence. After the war, he joined his brother Hans at S&K Sales Company, a distributor to Military commissaries and exchanges. He continued to work in the family business as S&K's Vice President of Western Region Operations until he retired in 1988 after 42 years.

On December 23rd, 1966, Ernest married Antje Ingeborg Berg, earning him the status of "luckiest man on earth." At the time, their union sparked family controversy - their differences in age and faiths seemed insurmountable to some. But those concerns did not last and they quickly won over all the relatives. The two shared a sense of humor, great love for each other, loyalty to family and friends, and the German language, among many other bonds. Together, they enjoyed a true partnership. After believing fatherhood had eluded him, Ernest became a first-time father at the age of 54, when he and Antje welcomed their daughter, Ruth. Son, Marc, followed two years later. Ernest was a caring and loyal father with a deep sense of morality, a firm grip on life's rudder, accompanied by a quick wit. He felt a strong connection and pride in his two children, and they will miss 'Papa's' joy in their accomplishments, sage advice, and unyielding support.

Opa was also a wonderful grandfather who loved unconditionally, bringing stability and warmth to the lives of his six grandchildren - Thoeren, Tait and Anneke Hollis (Ruth Kunney, San Mateo, California); and Claudia, Allegra, and Francesca Kunney (Marc Kunney and Laura Hill, San Francisco, California). He is also survived by many nephews and nieces who will miss him dearly.

In addition to his deep love for his wife and family, Ernest enjoyed tending his garden and fruit trees, hiking in the mountains of Marin County and the Sierras, swimming religiously at the San Mateo Elks Club, voraciously reading financial magazines, newspapers and books, and a great bottle of beer.

We were blessed that Ernest lived a long and full life, eagerly meeting challenges head-on with force and tenacity. The passing of our husband and father marks the loss of a strong, caring, compassionate man with deep conviction. We will miss him very much. A memorial will be held later in the year. Donations can be made in Ernest's honor to:
* United Services Organization Inc. (USO) PO Box 96322, Washington, DC 20090-6322
* Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) 1399 South Roxbury, Los Angeles, CA 90035

Published in the San Francisco Chronicle on January 20, 2013

Harold Lembright

September 30, 1920 - December 10, 2013

Senior Sir Harold Lembright joined SIR Branch 1 in January 1989 and was formerly member 152. He began the Gardening group in 1990 and chaired it until 2011 but has been inactive since November 2012.

Harold William Lembright

Late of Millbrae

A San Mateo County resident for 58 years, entered into rest in Burlingame on December 10, 2013. Beloved husband of Frances Lembright. Loving father of Carol Ann Pyle (her husband Harvy); Ruth Ann Thill (her husband John) and William Lembright (his wife Jan). Dear brother of Eileen Tucker. Also survived by his 4 cherished grandchildren.

A native of Bell, California and raised in Maywood, age 93 years.

A past Garden Chairman & member of S.I.R.S.; also traveled the world during his 40 years as a chemical engineer with Dow Chemical.

Memorial Services will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 10:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church in Burlingame, 1500 Easton Drive in Burlingame. Interment will follow at 1:00 PM at Skylawn Cemetery in San Mateo.

Condolences may be sent C/o Chapel of the Highlands, 194 Millwood Drive, Millbrae, CA 94030.

His family appreciates donations to the Assistance League of San Mateo County www.sanmateocounty.assistanceleague.org or to the charity of your choice.

CHAPEL OF THE HIGHLANDS, Millbrae
(650) 588-5116
www.chapelofthehighlands.com

Published in the San Mateo County Times December 15, 2013

Robert R. "Bob" Loesch

March 29, 1933 - January 12, 2013

Bob joined SIR Branch 1 in January 2005 and was member 243.

Carl F. Loschenkohl Jr.

September 25, 1918 - July 15, 2013

Senior Sir Carl Loschenkohl joined SIR Branch 1 in April 1979 and was formerly member 271 but has been inactive since November 2012.

(More details will be posted when available)