BERNARD SIMON AARONS
Bernard Simon Aarons, a prominent dentist in Palo Alto, died October 1, 2004 from the infirmities of his age at 85. Born in Fresno on June 16, 1919, his parents moved to Oakland when he was 6. At the age of 16, he attended UC Berkeley and received a BS degree in chemistry. In 1941 he completed his masters in chemistry form Stanford University. Bernard was graduated from the University of Pacific College of Dentistry in 1944. He then served two years in the Navy stationed in San Diego. Eight years later he was called back into service from his thriving dental practice to serve in the Korean War.
Bernard was a warm and caring human being who gave time, energy and funds to help those in need. He had a gentle nature and was a popular dentist with a large following. His many charitable endeavors included SF Symphony and the Opera, Stanford University and the University of Pacific College of Dentistry, which has recently named the Hygiene School in his honor. He has contributed to and served on the board of the Mid Peninsula Dental Health Foundation as well as supporting several Jewish charitable organizations. As a dentist volunteer he examined and advised seniors at the Palo Alto Senior Center and donated a dental chair and his dental services to the Sharon Heights Convalescent Center. He was an avid gardener and docent at Filoli Mansion. He will be remembered for his humanitarianism and his many deeds in the community. The Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce awarded him the prestigious Tall Tree Award for community service in 1985.
He is survived by a daughter Darlyne Diehl and a son Douglas Aarons. He has four grandchildren, Jasmine and Bianca Aarons and Joelle and Katie Gutman. He has many friends including his companion of many years, Mary O’Rourke, who will miss him and remember him with fond memories for his goodness and grace as a friend. He was a positive force. Just by knowing him, made a lot of people’s lives better. We love and cherish him. His memory is kept alive in our hearts. Friends are invited to attend a memorial service Thursday Oct 28, 2004 at Stanford Memorial Church Side Chapel at 4:00PM. Donations to the Pilgrim Haven Convalescent Center, 373 Pine Lane, Los Altos, CA 94022 preferred. Arrangements under the direction of Spangler Mortuaries.
OPAL COLLINS
Opal Collins of Mountain View for over 60 years, at rest in Mountain View on October 8, 2004. She was 90 years old. Wife of the late Lee Collins. Mother of Angie Kelly of Mountain View and the late Thomas (Buddy) Wood and Marie Sheeks. Sister of Gladys Hall of Redwood City and Leon Avery of El Cajon. Grandmother of Joyce Sheeks, David Wilson, Jr., Karen Stickrod, Angela Summit and Albert Clifford, Jr.; great grandmother of Diane Snowden and Steve Guathier. A native of Arkansas. Opal worked at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge for 10 years and retired from Hewlett-Packard after 35 years as a supervisor. After retirement, Opal opened a preschool for children in Mountain View. Friends were invited to attend Funeral Services on October 12 at the Mountain View Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries, 799 Castro St, Mountain View, interment will be in Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto.
NORMAN SORENSEN
Norman Sorensen died October 7, 2004 in Sacramento, California surrounded by his family.
Born October 29, 1927 in San Mateo, California to Rigmor and John Sorensen. Mr. Sorensen joined the Navy during World War II. After the war he earned his AA degree from the College of San Mateo, where he met his bride of 57 years, Patricia Dawn Flack.
Mr. Sorensen is survived by his wife Pat of Sacramento, daughter Kathleen Sorensen of Silver Spring, Maryland and sons Theodore and Gerald of Los Altos, daughter-in-laws Susan and Ann and eight grandchildren, Maya, Tiffany, Mathew, Travis, Marian, Alexander, Adam and Jonathan, nine cousins and many friends.
Mr. Sorensen had a varied and accomplished career. He spent the early part of his career in sales of pharmaceuticals, optics and real estate. Later he developed single-family homes and condominiums. He was active in Republican politics since the early 70s. For the past ten years, Mr. Sorensen has served as the Deputy Director for the Department of Housing for the State of California as a Governor Wilson appointee. Governor Wilson said, “If everyone in the state worked as hard as Norm, the state would have no problems.” Mr. Sorensen has orchestrated many improvements in the states process for building codes and standards. In recent years, he has enjoyed traveling the world with his wife and the accomplishments of his grandchildren. Nothing made him happier than to watch his many grandchildren aged 27 to 8, hang out and have fun together. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Sorensen hopes you will vote Republican this November. Donations may be made in his name to the Elks Club Charity Fund of Palo Alto, C.H.E.A., 5450 E. Lamona Ave, Fresno, CA 93727.
Funeral Services were held on October 13 at Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos followed by burial at Alta Mesa Cemetery in Palo Alto. Arrangements made under the direction of Spangler Mortuary in Los Altos.
CHARLES LEWIS SHERWOOD
Charles Lewis Sherwood passed away October 10, 2004. Age 76. Born in Michigan. He was the beloved husband of Virginia Sherwood of Los Altos; father of Charles, Jr., Bonnie and Jayne and stepfather of Kent and Victoria.
Charles was a licensed pharmacist in California and Michigan. He was an avid “barbershopper” and an active singer in the “Sound Investors” quartet of the San Jose Garden City Chorus. Also a member of SPEBSQSA (for 63 years) and a member of the Board of Directors of El Camino Hospital Foundation.
A Memorial Service was held on October 14 at Cusimano Family Colonial Mortuary in Mountain View.
Contributions in his memory may be made to El Camino Hospital Foundation, 2500 Grant Rd, Mtn. View, CA 94040.
ALAN RUSSELL KENISON
Alan Russell Kenison, a Los Altos resident, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2004. Mr. Kenison was born on November 20,1918 in Madrid, Iowa.
He attended Iowa State College majoring in Electrical Engineering and was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Alan was a Captain in the Army Air Corp and is a Pearl Harbor survivor. After the service, he worked for Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and later moved to Oklahoma City working for the CAA as well as founding Aviation Radio Inc. Mr. Kenison moved to Los Altos in the early 1960’s and worked in the aerospace industry before founding Nienhuis Montessori, U.S.A. in Mountain view.
He is survived by his wife Vera of Los Altos; daughter Karen Kenison of Cupertino, son and daughter-in-law Monte and Debbie of Mountain view; son and daughter-in-law Chris and Gale of Los Altos; grandson Sean of Livermore and twin granddaughters Christine Kenison of San Jose and Sarah Kenison of Santa Cruz.
Private family services were held. Arrangements under the direction of the Mountain View Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries, 799 Castro St, Mountain View, CA. Donations to the Diabetes Society of Santa Clara Valley, 1165 Lincoln Ave, Suite #300 San Jose, CA 95125 preferred.
