By The Town Crier publishes paid obituaries through its classified ad department. The rate is $1 a line and $15 extra with a photo. Obituary information is due noon Friday prior to next week's publication. An obituary with a photo is due Wednesday prior to next week's publication. To submit an obituary, fax to (650) 948-4021 or e-mail Marie Young at:
SEILHAMER, Dr. Jeffrey John,
Jeff was extraordinarily intelligent, creative, and courageous, with a very strong character and spirit. His passion for scientific inquiry was fueled by a powerful character and spirit, tempered only by an unswerving sense of humor. Jeff was born November 4, 1952 in Columbus, Ohio where his parents and brother still reside.
He received both a B.S. in Biology and a Ph.D. in Developmental Biology from Ohio State University investigating biochemical and genetic nature of antibiotic resistance in Acanthamoeba castellanii.
From 1979 to 1982, he was a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Donald Cummings at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. During this time, his work was directed towards molecular biology of Paramecium mitochondria. While in Colorado, Jeff developed a permanent love for the mountains, skiing and nature.
Jeff joined California Biotechnology Inc. (now Scios, Inc.) in 1982, a young biotechnology company at that time. While at California Biotechnology, he and his collaborators published the cloning and sequencing of several new human proteins. A key accomplishment was the isolation, cloning and recombinant expression of phospholipase A2 from the synovial fluid of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition, Jeff and his colleagues cloned the gene encoding human brain natriuretic peptide (BNP, Natrecor), a vasoactive agent approved by the FDA in the summer of 2001 to treat patients with acute congestive heart failure. Dr. Seilhamer was a co-founder of Incyte Genomics, formed in 1991. He was the Director, then promoted to Vice President of Molecular Biology Research, initiating and directing Incyte’s cDNA discovery program, which later became the company’s core business. Under Jeff’s leadership, Incyte pioneered the connection between genetic in formation and human disease.
He was also active on several other projects in inflammation and autoimmune disease. Jeff authored 42 scientific publications and was frequently invited to lecture, often as a keynote speaker, at companies and symposia around the world. He is named on fifty patents issued in the United States and on numerous patent applications still pending.
He was an avid outdoor enthusiast, and enjoyed skiing, hiking, rafting and camping. He enjoyed organizing group adventure outings. He had a knack for adding humor to any situation, was known for his antics, and was typically the life of the party. Jeff traveled the world exploring different countries and cultures, always in the pursuit of savoring the local nature and seeking adventure. In addition to his many interests, Jeff was an accomplished musician. He taught himself to play the guitar at age 13, and eventually mastered the 12 string acoustic and electric guitar. Over the years he also became proficient at the clarinet, flute, drums and banjo. Creating music with others was a source of joy.
Jeff believed that together we will find a cure for lung cancer. Jeff was among the 13% of lung cancer victims who did not smoke. Jeff founded and seeded the JJS Lung Cancer Foundation, which is dedicated to lung cancer research.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the JJS Lung Cancer Foundation, at CFSV, 60 South Market Street, Suite 1000, San Jose, CA 95113. His family and legions of friends will miss Jeff.
Private services will be held. Arrangements by the Los Altos Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
SCANLAN (RYAN) Mary Virginia,
Daughter of Frances McCarron Ryan and James Patrick Ryan. A native of Dubuque, Iowa, Mrs. Scanlan resided in Mason City and Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa and performed in Des Moines as a concert pianist. In 1946, she encountered childhood pal David Patrick Scanlan. They courted in Chicago, were married in 1947 and moved to California.
They raised their five children in California, Oregon and Washington where Mr. Scanlan worked for Sears Roebuck & Co. They settled in Los Altos Hills, California. Mrs. Scanlan was a devoted member of the St. Nicholas Catholic Church. She served as President of both the Los Altos republican Women and the Assistance League of Los Altos. She is survived by her adoring daughters Virginia Scanlan of Mtn. View and Teresa Bugella of Menlo park and by three devoted sons David Scanlan of Manhattan Beach, Paul Scanlan, her most dedicated caregiver of Los Altos Hills and Peter Scanlan of San Francisco. Grandchildren are Caitlin Scanlan of Manhattan Beach and Colin and Alessia Bugella of Menlo Park.
Mass was held at St. Nicholas Church, Los Altos followed by internment at Gates of Heaven Cemetery.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the memory of Mary Virginia Scanlan, University of California Regents Memory and Aging Center, P. O. Box 1207, San Francisco, CA 94143-1207.
SUGAWARA, Peter Mutsumi,
Mr. Sugawara served as a sergeant in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the all Japanese-American unit of the US Army, during World War II, and was honorably discharged in November, 1945.
He settled in Los Altos, CA in 1954 with his wife, Kiyo, and four children, and was the sole proprietor of the Monte Bello Nursery for over 25 years. A well-respected nurseryman and bonsai enthusiast, Pete was active in the California Nurserymen’s Association, the
Kusamura Bonsai Club, the Golden State Bonsai Federation and the San Francisco chapter of Ikebana International.
Pete was blessed with two wonderful wives, Kiyo Hinata Sugawara who died in 1968 and Amy Abe Sugawara who died in 2000. He is survived by his sister, Fumi Sugawara of Los Angeles, four children, Ellen Sugawara of Molokai, HI, David Sugawara of Lompoc, CA, Joy Sugawara of West Linn, OR and Kathy Sugawara Rossol of Kent, WA - and five grandchildren.
A private family gathering in celebration of Pete’s life will be held in April. Contributions to the Strybing Arboretum or your favorite charity may be made in memory of Peter Sugawara.
OLEYNIK, Dr. Roman Joseph, retired anesthesiologist, a 28 year resident of Los Altos, died on March 10, 2003. Dr. Oleynik, the son of the late Very Rev. Joseph and Matuschka Anna Oleynik, was born in Charleroi, PA on August 14, 1936. He is survived by his wife Lorraine, daughter Larisa, sister Claudia, six nephews, two nieces and their children.
Dr. Oleynik graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University School of Medicine, and completed his anesthesiology residency at Stanford University Medical Center in 1972.
He was a Commander in the U.S. Navy from 1964 through 1969 serving three sea tours as Chief Medical Officer on the U.S.S. Oxford and was then assigned to Warminister, PA where he participated in sleep research for the Space Program.
Roy was an accomplished classical pianist and vocalist and sang in the church choir from childhood.
Most recently, he was Director of the Choir at Nativity of the Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Church in Menlo Park. He was fluent in Russian and also spoke several other languages.
A Panikhida (Requiem Service) was held at The Nativity of the Holy Virgin ROC, Menlo Park. Funeral services and internment were held at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, New Salem, PA.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Respite and Research for Alzheimer’s Disease, 2380 Enborg Lane, San Jose 95128 or The Nativity of the Holy Virgin ROC, 1220 Crane Street, Menlo Park 94025.
BRIGGS, Audrey Gunnison,
Aged, 76, Audrey was born in San Anselmo, CA to Sam & Norma Gunnison. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Verne G. Richardson and brother Glenn R. Gunnison.
Audrey loved growing up in Marin, where she started her lifelong collection of friends. A resident of Los Altos Hills for the past 42 years, Audrey was one of the first members of the Fed. Woman’s Club of Los Altos. Through her love of flowers, Audrey served as a docent at Filoli for 13 years and later as a docent emeritus, a volunteer at Gamble Garden Center and the Los Altos Garden Club.
Proud to be a 3rd generation Californian, she was especially fond of quail, poppies, and the redwoods. Richardson’s Grove, Tahoe, Yosemite and Stinson Beach were among her favorite places.
Audrey and her husband Dale so enjoyed their extensive world travels together. Her many friends remember her as quick-witted, ready with a laugh and as a card player extraordinaire. She will be deeply missed.
Audrey Briggs is survived by her husband of 56 years Dale D. Briggs, daughter Nanci (Marc) Mason, son Gregory D. Briggs, grandchildren Andrea & Marshall Briggs, great granddaughter Daisy Lynne and Audrey’s beloved dog Zula. She is also survived by her dearly loved nieces and nephews, including Susan R. Richardson, Audrey R. Thurmond and Anne R. Murray.
No services will be held at the request of Audrey. In lieu of flowers, donations would hopefully be made to Pathways Hospice, 201 San Antonio Circle, Suite 135, Mt. View, CA 94040.
MOORE, Louis,
He lied about his age (he was too old) in order to enter service in the Army Air Corps during W.W. II. He ran construction crews at airfields in North Africa and Italy and was wounded by exploding ammunition while trying to save a downed pilot from a burning Spitfire. After the war, he settled in Los Altos where he began a career as one of the valley’s early housing developers. He specialized in constructing subdivisions of custom homes, eschewing the cookie cutter home style that characterized post-war valley construction. He developed subdivisions in Los Altos, Mtn. View, San Jose, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. He also developed properties in Lake Tahoe (Calif. & Nev.), Hawaii, and Monterey County.
In 1959, Mr. Moore began developing Moorpark Mobile Homes in Mtn. View, one of the first truly modern manufactured housing parks on the west coast. he pioneered design and construction methods and other innovations that are taken for granted today in all modern parks. He ran the park (originally a seniors-only park) from its opening in 1961 until a few years before his death.
Mr. Moore participated in many extracurricular activities. He was active in local politics, was an avid pilot (earning the moniker “Loop-the-Loop Louie”), loved to hunt pheasant, elk and deer, competed in hunting dog field trial events, enjoyed world travel, operated a small walnut orchard and enjoyed doing custom carpentry. He also donated his time and money towards supporting social activities for the senior residents in Moorpark. Mr. Moore is survived by Sara, his spouse of 57 years, his son Larry and three grandchildren.
Services will be held on March 22 at 11 AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Mtn. View at the corner of Maramonte and Cuesta. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2065 West El Camino Real, Mtn. View 94040.
WENTZ, Mariette S.,
Private services were held. Services under the direction of Spangler Mortuaries. Donations to the charity of your choice, preferred.
WENTZ, Robert W,
Friends are invited to attend a memorial service Saturday, March 22 at 1:00 PM at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, 950 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park.
Arrangements under the direction of the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries, 650 Live Oak Ave., Menlo Park.
Donations to the American Lung Association, 1469 Park Ave., San Jose, CA or Pets In Need 873 5th Ave., Redwood City, CA 94062.
