STEVEN L. ELLIOTT
Steven Elliott passed away on June 17, 2005 in San Diego, CA. He was born in Minneapolis, MN on July 16, 1955. His family moved to Saratoga, CA in 1956 and in 1959, Steve had open-heart surgery at age five in San Francisco, related to a congenital heart condition.
Steve graduated from Los Altos High School in 1973, where he was a saxophonist in the band and the drum major in his senior year. He studied music at De Anza and Foothill Community Colleges and at Long Beach State University prior to becoming a professional jazz musician based in the Los Angeles area.
His career as a saxophonist took him around the world performing with a multitude of well-known entertainers including; Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Al Jareau, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Spinners, Lionel Hampton, Les Brown, Harry James, Rita Moreno, Della Reese, Maureen McGovern, Shirley Jones, and Debbie Reynolds, to name some of the many. He also performed with many Los Angeles big bands, including the Steve Elliott/Roger Ingram Big Band, which he co-founded, and his own Steve Elliott Quintet.
Steve was a talented musician and was known as a great story and joke teller, as well as voice imitator. Steve is survived by his mother Margaret Elliott of Los Altos, his brother John Elliott, sister Janet Elliott, and three nieces. The family wishes to remember Steve with a memorial gathering on Thursday, June 30 at 673 Orange Avenue in Los Altos from 4:00-7:00 PM. The invitation is extended to Steve’s and his family’s friends.
A musical tribute in Steve Elliott’s honor is being organized at this time by his music colleagues and will take place in the next months in the Los Angeles area. Memorial contributions in Steve’s name may be made to the Adult Congenital Heart Association, 6757 Greene Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19119.
ROBERT M. ELLIOTT
Family members arranged for the planting of a redwood tree in Los Altos in memory of Robert M. Elliot, DDS, who practiced dentistry in Los Altos at Loyola Corners from 1956-1965.
Dr. Elliott was born in Minneapolis, MN on August 19, 1918, and grew up in the nearby town of Excelsior, where he graduated valedictorian from high school. He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating from its dental school in 1943. In that same year, he joined the Army Dental Corps and was stationed at Fort Crook, NB. While stationed there, he married Margaret in 1944, and continued to serve in the Army until 1946. Upon return from service in the South Pacific, he set up dental practice in Minnesota and had three children. In 1956, he and his family moved to California, at which time he set up his dental practice in Los Altos. In 1971, he initiated the annual and long-standing Spaghetti Dinner as a fundraiser for the Los Altos High School Marching Band.
Robert Elliott passed away in Keizer, OR on December 15, 2004. At the time of his death, he was survived by his first wife, Margaret Elliott of Los Altos, his three children, John Elliott of Raleigh, NC, Janet Elliott of San Francisco, CA, and Steven Elliott of Los Altos, CA; his three granddaughters, Lesley, Raosame and Lindsay; his great-granddaughter Aubrey; and his second wife La Verne of Keizer, OR.
The young redwood is planted in Lincoln Parkway across from St. Nicolas Church. The Elliott family wishes to express gratitude to the City of Los Altos for offering the opportunity to plant a living memory in the name of Robert Elliott, and hopes the native tree beautifies and enriches the environment, as it grows and lives the cycles of life representing all things eternal.
ULRICH KAEMPF
2/10/1931 - 6/21/2005
Ulrich Kaempf died on the first day of summer from leukemia. He fought the illness with courage and determination with his family’s support and hope. Ulrich was born and reared in Switzerland and immigrated to California with his wife Ruth in October of 1958. Ulrich’s career as an electrical engineer started with Fairchild Semiconductor where he was employee number 95. After ten years with Fairchild which included a four year stint in England, he joined Hewlett Packard where he worked until his retirement in 1998. Ulrich was dedicated to his work, loved his family, was a passionate runner, and an avid bicyclist. He also enjoyed soccer and other outdoor activities. Over the years he logged many miles on the trails in Rancho San Antonio Park and other areas. He is survived by his wife Ruth, children Tina, Victoria and Matt and their spouses, and six cherished granddaughters. He will be greatly missed by all of us. A memorial reception is planned for 7/10/05. For details contact Spangler Mortuary at (650) 948-6619. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the El Camino Hospital Auxiliary.
