Obituaries

July 7, 1954 – May 1, 2020 Resident of Los Gatos Our beloved brother and friend passed away unexpectedly following a surgery, at the age of 65. Carl was born in Hagerstown, Maryland. He spent his first four years in Sotterley Heights, Maryland, while his father Albert (“Al”) worked at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River as an aeronautical engineer. In 1958, Al and Carl’s mother Betty joined the great engineering migration to what would become Silicon Valley. The family lived in Los Altos. Carl graduated from Homestead High School in Cupertino. Carl swam competitively during high school and had a life-long love of outdoor sports, including mountain biking, golf, and skiing. In later years, he was slowed by some chronic injuries, but he persisted in spite of them. Carl started his work life as a carpenter, and eventually founded his own business as a general contractor. He was still supervising projects up until the time of his passing. Carl had high standards and took much pride in knowing how to do the job right. Friends and family alike have noted that Carl never hesitated to let you know his opinions on such matters. Carl joined the Los Altos Masters swim team in the early nineties.

F.W. Ted Wheeler passed away on April14, 2020 Ted was born on August 24, 1928 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the second son of Reginald H. and Ellen M. (Webb) Wheeler. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John and his sisters, Carolyn and Mary Ellen Ted is survived by his brother Ron Wheeler (Sandy), his children Jody Wheeler McFarlane (Dave McFarlane), Jon Wheeler, Amy Wheeler (Vernon Wade) and Lynne Wheeler Board (Dwaine Board); and his grandchildren Andrea McFarlane (Josh Yaganeh), Ellen McFarlane Yanisse (Danny Yanisse), Lauren Broussard, Sophie Wheeler, Silas Wheeler, Camille Board Miraldi (Matt Miraldi), Allie Rae Board and Tessa Board. And many nieces and nephews. There will be no service for Ted, but you are encouraged to tell a corny joke, eat a hot dog, walk on the beach or ride a roller coaster in his memory. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to KCSM Jazz Radio or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Ruth Livingston Schiller passed away at the age of 106 on April 21 at Villa Siena in Mountain View. Born on August 17, 1913 and raised in Bloomington, Illinois and then moved to Chicago where she met and married Stanton Schiller. Their two children (Linda and Sally) were born in Chicago. In 1956 she moved to Beverly Hills where she lived for the next 55 years. She operated a woman’s clothing boutique there for more than 20 years demonstrating her love of fashion, clothes and jewelry. Thereafter, she became a travel agent, especially enjoying many cruises and travels to multiple countries. Ruth was an energetic, independent woman with a great sense of humor who loved a party. She is survived by her daughters Linda Schiller and Sally Schiller Slavin (Richard) her granddaughters Elizabeth Weingart (Jack), Suzy Allison (Timo), and Amy Norstad (Aaron), and 8 great grandchildren. The family is so appreciative of the compassion and support of the amazing staff at Villa Siena where Ruth spent the past 11 years.

Gregory Scott Davis, 51, died on Friday, April 3, 2020 at his home in Palo Alto. Greg was born August 11, 1968, in Bellingham, Washington and grew up and lived his life in the Bay Area. He worked as a computer application architect and business owner. He graduated from Los Altos High School, University of California Irvine, and Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Greg accomplished much in his academic and professional pursuits, but far and away his greatest achievement was being a dad to his thirteen-year-old daughter, Bonnie Davis, named for his mother. Greg was a quick study and his curious, adventurous spirit informed his choices in all areas of his life.

October 25, 1924–March 22, 2020   On March 22, 2020, Jean Low Knipper, third-generation Californian and beloved family matriarch, passed away in Los Altos at the age of 95. Jean was the loving wife of Albert Emil (Bert) Knipper (predeceased in 1981), a devoted mother of four daughters and adoring grandmother and great-grandmother.   Jean was born in San Francisco on October 25, 1924, the only child of Thomas Griffin Low and Florence May Jeffery Low. She attended Lowell High School and City College. In 1953, Jean married Bert in San Francisco. They later moved to Redwood City and in 1964 settled in Los Altos Hills where they raised their family and Jean lived until 2017. She enjoyed her last three years living at The Terraces of Los Altos.  

Frances Vivian Henderson, vibrant, joyful, loving, beautiful and a life-long learner was born March 9, 1926, and passed away peacefully on March 16, 2020. A 1st generation Californian from an Illinois family that immigrated to California in 1908. Frances is survived by 3 daughters (Cynthia Riordan, Carol Danaher, and Christy Pogue), 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She loved and was loved deeply. In 1943, she met her husband, William Charles Henderson, at a dance while he was on leave from the Navy. Their eyes met across the dance floor and it was love at first sight. They remained in love throughout their 63-year marriage. She created a welcome and dynamic home for her family and others that was rarely without homemade cookies and pies. Her child rearing philosophy was one of providing opportunity and experiences that would build life-long confidence and development of interests. She faithfully carried on her grandmother’s tradition of family meals as a time for connection and nourishment.