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: mariey@latc.com.
ROSSER, William David,
Bill was educated in England at the Birmingham Technical School and followed in his father’s footsteps in becoming a mechanical engineer. After serving in the Royal Air Force and the US Army during WWII, he settled in the US and eventually in Silicon Valley where he worked for over 25 years at GTE Sylvania. After leaving GTE he continued his successful career at ESL until his retirement in 1993. Bill had a wealth of interests including sailing on the San Francisco Bay, traveling for pleasure, passionately celebrating his Welsh heritage, researching his family genealogy, artistic wood working, and discovering nature, but most of all he loved sharing music, laughter, and good times with his family and friends. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Bill is survived by his wife Gwen. Together they spent over 30 years raising their family in Los Altos, CA and more recently enjoyed retirement in North Lake Tahoe when they weren’t visiting exotic places and having adventures such as teaching ESL in China for two years. This caring father is preceded in death by his son Gregory Rosser, but his memory will live on through his devoted daughters Ellen Van Horn of Cedar Park, TX, Miriam Rosser of Portland, OR, Monica Garnaché of Winchester, MA, and Audrey Burdick of Hillsboro, OR. As a father-in-law, he will be sorely missed but always admired by his sons-in-law David Van Horn, John Garnaché, and Paul Burdick. He adored his grandchildren William, Rachel, Benjamin, Sophia and Michelle who love him very much. Bill is also survived by his sisters Joyce Walkey of Swansea, Wales and Ruth Fisher of Sutton Coldfield, England and leaves behind many other treasured family members and friends.
Friends and family were invited to a memorial event, Saturday December 13, 2003 at Elizabeth Gamble Garden Center, Waverley, Palo Alto.
DAVIS, Robert D.,
Known as Bob to friends and family, Mr. Davis was born and raised in Palo Alto, growing up with his family on the Stanford campus. He married Flora E. Biggs in 1963 and the couple settled in Los Altos. Together they raised two children, Robert B. (Bob) Davis and Cynthia E. (Cindy) Davis.
Bob was a scientist at heart. He was interested in the history and natural history of California and traveled often in the state, especially to the Sierras. Friends knew him as considerate, helpful and generous; his volunteer efforts included giving rides to senior citizens, working for Meals on Wheels, advocating for public transportation initiatives and supporting numerous environmental causes. Bob also volunteered extensively at his church Foothills congregational. He and his wife spent close to a decade assisting refugees from Cambodia, single-handedly providing enough donated goods and miscellaneous support to rival a small service organization. Through frequent trips to Fresno for distribution and visits, as well as ultimately opening their home to two refugees. Bob and Flora easily touched the lives of fifty Cambodian families.
Bob will be dearly missed by family, friends and his church community. He was a concerned citizen and an advocate for a better world. He exemplified putting principle before personal interest. He instructed his children in such and attitude and spirit of service; they will endeavor to carry on his commitment.
In addition to immediate family members whom he cherished, Bob is survived by his brother Stan Davis and his wife Pearl of Littleton, Colorado, their children Rick and Holly, his cousin Hugh of Georgia, beloved nieces Laurie Engle and Debbie Murbach of Sunnyvale and their children and other relatives whom he greatly cared for.
A memorial service was held for Bob December 13 at the Foothills Congregational Church in Los Altos. Contributions preferred to the Natural Resources Defense Council, 40 West 20th St., N.Y., NY 10011 or The Worldwatch Institute, 1776 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, D.C. 20036.
