2004 - TeamMates
News about what's going on in the lives of CAL's
Alumni Big C Varsity Athletes and their families
Spring/Summer, 2004
Samuel B (Beau) Breck, (Crew, '54) and wife, Helen, moved to Carmel last year after 60 years in Piedmont. Beau remains active as an investment advisor spending two days each week in San Francisco and the other three days working in his Carmel home office. The Brecks enjoy skiing, fly-fishing and mountain biking, as well as annual trips to the British Isles and elsewhere in Europe. A Bear Treks adventure to Spain and Portugal also made the agenda this Spring. So if he's spending two days a week in San Francisco and three days a week in Carmel, all these travels were weekend trips ????
Don Bowden (Track, '58) was among seventeen renowned milers honored by The American Running Association at a black tie banquet on May 26 in Washington D.C. More than 300 people attended the gala, which was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the world's first sub-four-minute mile. Don, who was the first American to break the 4-minute barrier, was joined by, among others, Francie Larrieu Smith, Doris Brown Heritage (the first American woman and the second woman in the world to run a sub-5-minute mile), Wes Santee, Craig Masback, Marcus O'Sullivan, Kip Keino and Alan Webb.
Fay Blair (Track, '49) recently sold his CPA practice and headed into 'semi-retirement' at age 79. He remains active as a consultant from his home base in Santa Rosa.
Tex Byrd (Football, '59) checked in from Reding to announce that the '58 Rose Bowl Bears are trying to compile a roster of all their team mates for the purpose of conducting periodic social gatherings and supporting Jeff Tedford and the current Cal football program. Charlie Holston and Pete Domoto are heading up the effort. All Pete Elliott era ball players are encouraged to contact Tex at tandabyrd@shasta.com.
Larry Colton (Baseball, '64) reports from Portland, OR that, since graduation, he has played professional baseball, including 'a Tuesday with the Phillies', taught high school English and written three books (definitely a noteworthy accomplishment since, he admits, he took Subject A Bonehead English not just once but twice while at Cal). He's also served as Executive Director for three non-profit organizations whose objectives are improving literacy in Oregon Schools. Last, but certainly not least, he has raised two outstanding daughters.
Bill Daggett (Swimming, '55), wife Rosemary and daughter Emily recently traveled from their home in Boston to visit friends and renew acquaintances in the Bay Area. Their visit included a tour of the Cal campus, including Telegraph Avenue. Bill says he doesn't remember Telegraph being quite 'like that' when he was in school. Kept looking for 'Jules' but couldn't find it.
Hugh Ditzler (Tennis, '53) celebrated 50 years of marriage to wife, Nancy (also Cal, '53) with a gathering of friends at the Claremont Country Club in Oakland. The gathering included, among others, Beau Breck and Pete Dolliver (both Crew, '54), Clif Mayne (Tennis, Basketball, '55) and Rupe and John Ricksen (Tennis, Basketball, '53). Rupe and John also recently celebrated their 50th anniversaries (to their wives, Coleen and Mary, not to each other).
Mel Duezabou (Baseball, '40) is living in Oakland, CA. After his baseball career at Cal (where he was captain of the Freshman and Varsity teams), he played 8 years of professional ball with the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League. He has been married 62 years to wife Jacquelyn, who also attended Cal.
Leland H. Faust (Swimming, Water Polo, '68) is being inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame this June. Well done! Congratulations from your fellow Big C alums!
Nina Liahjell (Track, Cross Country, '91) has been married for 12 years to David Flemming. They live in Santa Ana, CA and have one son, Brayden (age 2). At the time she wrote, they were expecting a daughter on or about May 25th. Nina has worked for Berlex Laboratories for 8 years. She's a District Manager. Says she's given up competitive running in lieu of soccer and ice hockey. Doesn't say whether she's playing, watching, coaching, rooting or reffing.
Jim Gierlich (Football, Wrestling, '46) continues the Cal tradition: two of his daughters have already graduated from Berkeley and another is currently a Junior here. Jim presently serves on the Board of Directors for the SoCal Berkeley Engineering Alumni Society. He also serves on the Foundation Board for Cal State University - Dominguez Hills. Since all this doesn't keep him busy enough, he golfs 2 - 3 times each week, attends jazz festivals throughout California and the West, and sings with some jazz bands as a hobby. Says he's enjoying good health, good friends, a loving family and good golf. What more could a guy ask for?
Steve Grealish (Football, Rugby, '73) owns and operates Shanghai Kelly's Saloon and The North Star Café in San Francisco. He has hosted several fundraising events for Cal sports including 'Cocktails With Coach Tedford' and 'Cocktails with Coach Braun'. He never misses an opportunity to promote Cal sports and social events at both establishments.
Vern Green (Swimming, Water Polo Senior Manager, '44) continues his passion as an amateur historian (or, as he prefers to call himself, 'a compiler'). The last issue of Team Mates listed five albums he compiled over the years. A new album, 'Memories of the 1950's' was published in 2003. Vern is now hard at work at his newest effort, 'Growing Up In The 1920's and '30's.
Bob Griffin (Water Polo '44) recently moved from Salinas to Carmel Valley.
Joe Griffin (Track, '58) won 'Closest-To-The-Hole' honors in a recent gathering of Big C'ers at The Claremont Country Club in Oakland. Mysteriously, the actual distance from the hole was never mentioned. For his awesome display of skill, Joe received a new putter and observed that it wasn't the first time he'd gotten the shaft from this group.
Hall of Fame News 8 of our best will be inducted into The Cal Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, February 29th this year (the night before Cal hosts Arizona State at Memorial Stadium). As were last year's, induction ceremonies will be held at the Greek Orthodox Church conference center in Oakland. Inductees this year include Sarah Anderson (Women's Swimming, 1988-91), Kirk Everist (Men's Water Polo, 1985-88), John Fiscalini (Baseball, 1946-48), Bob Milano (Baseball Coach, 1978-99), Hardy Nickerson (Football, 1983-86), Harvey Salem(Football, 1979-82), Frank 'Bud' Van Deren (Football, 1947-48), and Arleigh Williams (Football/Baseball, 1932-35).
Wayne Hooper (Baseball, Basketball, '47) was the honored guest at 'Wayne Hooper' day when Cal met Arizona State on Edwards Diamond in May. A packed house was on hand to pay tribute to this one-of-a-kind Cal legend. The event was sponsored by The Bullpen Club, through which Wayne has raised more than three-quarters of a million dollars for Cal Baseball over the past 5 years. Contrary to his usual nature, Hoop did not offer coaching advice during the game. After the game we're not so certain.
Duke Leffler (Rugby, '79) checked in to let us know that his daughter, Libby Zagaris Leffler, has been elected president of the Tri Delt house at Cal. She's also been accepted to the Haas School of Business. Another daughter, Hilary, and son Duke are both in the IB program at Modesto High School. Hilary wants to attend Cal when she graduates.
Ed Lippstreu (Basketball, '53) and his wife, Sue, recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Their wedding at St. Clements Episcopal Church in Berkeley on February 28, 1954 was followed by a reception at the Claremont Hotel. In October of last year, they returned to the Claremont to celebrate Ed's 50th Class Reunion. He is a 45-year member of the Fairfield Kiwanis Club (having served as President and Director along the way), and, after 45 years, retired from the Real Estate business at the beginning of 2002. He now manages their farm in Suisun Valley (growing Prunes and walnuts). Ed and Sue took a Bear Treks trip to Naples, Sorrento and Capri in May of 2003 and another Bear Treks trip to Milan, Lake Como and Lake Majorre later that year. They have four children (one of whom currently serves as a Director of The Big C Society) and five grandchildren (the newest of which, Palmer Lippstreu Green, was born November 8th of last year). A friendly warning from your Team Mates Editor: Do not play 'Horse' with this guy. He can still consistently shoot the eyes out of a gnat from 20 - 25 feet. (Perhaps the advisory should be expanded to include golf, as well. Ed won Low Net honors in the recent Big C golf outing at Claremont CC.)
Jim Marinos (Football, '51) is in his 47th year of practicing law, having tried hundreds of cases. Says he's still working diligently to complete the �practice� and actually learn how to do it. He also spends lots of time hunting, fishing and golfing. Doesn't say whether he's learned to do any of those 'right.' Jim and his wife have raised nine children and have eighteen grandchildren. He looks forward to Pappy Boys' reunions every September and fondly recalls his days on Cal's '49, '50, and '51 Rose Bowl teams. Jim says time marches on and he's pleased to report that he is still marching.
Andrea McDermott (Crew, '03) is traveling to Australia in June. She starts Graduate School in the Fall working toward a Master's Degree in Special Education.
Richard Miles (Football Manager, '55) writes to let fellow Big C friends know that he has remarried - Lucille Vulcan Miles, class of '73.
Dick Mutti (Soccer, '39) has been retired from his job as the Deputy Regional Director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency for almost 23 years. Since his 'region' stretched South to Santa Barbara, North to Alaska, East to St. Louis, and West to Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and Korea, you might say he racked up a few frequent flyer miles along the way. Dick has been married to his wife, Margaret, a graduate of Wisconsin who later did post graduate work at Berkeley, for 57 years. They have five children, all of whom graduated from various University of California campuses and all of whom have advanced degrees!
Hal Olson (Track '50) is living in Martinez, CA. He and wife Marie Phillips (Cal, '55) recently celebrated their 47th Wedding Anniversary. Caring for grandchildren and repairing rental properties keep them busy and, when time permits, they love to travel.
Hal Oxsen (Baseball, '50) lives in Santa Rosa. He wrote in to report that his son, Doug, is the Athletic Director at Oregon State University, where he played on the Beaver's basketball team as an undergraduate. Hal asks all Big C members who visit Corvallis to say hello to Doug . . . and also to 'root a Big C for Hal and Gene Oxsen'.
John Pappa (Football, '52) retired from UC Davis in 1992 and moved to McCloud, CA (near Mt. Shasta). He calls it God's Country, where the quietness and beauty of the mountains is underscored by a blissful absence of traffic. They have raised four sons. Hmmmm . . . I guess that would make John's wife Mama Pappa. (sorry, couldn't resist). When their sons, their wives and the grandkids aren't visiting (which, he's happy to say, is often), John and his wife spend time fishing, cutting wood for their stoves and taking drives in the back country. He also plays golf with the SIRS and at the McCloud Golf Course where he is a member.
Heather Petri (Water Polo, '??) is on the USA National Water Polo team that last summer in Spain became the first USA women's team ever to win the Women's World Water Polo Championship. Soon after, at a tournament in The Dominican Republic, the team qualified for the 2004 Athens Olympics. Heather is now training for the Olympics in Los Alamitos, CA.
Jim Phillips (Football, '65) has adjusted well to retired life in Gig Harbor, Washington. That's in the heart of Huskie (Husky ???) country, but he says he's still a Bear at heart. He wears his Cal cap proudly and notes that Cal's recent successes on the athletic fields makes wearing that cap a whole lot easier. He reports that golf has become his new sport of interest, but feels that the game was obviously not designed for an ex-linebacker. (Relax, Jim. There are those who feel that the game wasn't designed for anybody . . . except maybe sadists.) Two of Jim's children live in Oregon (Jodie in Portland and Tod in Bend). The other (Jason) lives in Newport Beach. The Phillips have three lovely granddaughters, Senna, Lucy and Carne.
John Ralston (Football, '51) has spent his entire life in and around football. At age 11 he dreamed of being a football coach and subsequently converted that dream to reality with amazing success. He says he has enjoyed his work so much it didn't seem like work (and wouldn't we all like to be able to say that). John presently works full time at San Jose State University and says he would enjoy mentoring any Cal student-athletes who are considering a lifetime of involvement in athletics, whether on the collegiate or professional level. If you know of such an individual, John's work phone number is (408) 924-1445.
Les Richter (Football, '53) was presented with the fifth annual Eagle One-Shav Glick award, a symbol of distinguished achievement in motor racing by a Californian. The ceremony took place at California Speedway before the Auto Club 500. 'He, more than anyone but Bill France, Sr., was responsible for the expansion of NASCAR' said Glick, longtime motorsports writer for the Los Angeles Times. 'He absolutely is a legend, and is very modest about everything he accomplished in his life', said Bill Miller, California Speedway president. 'If you want to meet people in the industry, stand in the garage next to Les. You don't need to walk around, you don't need to move. They come to him.' Under Richter's stewardship, Riverside became a national and international racing institution. His efforts in behalf of NASCAR are legendary in the industry. In receiving the Eagle One-Shav Glick award, Richter joined previous honorees Dan Gurney, Wally Parks, Parnelli Jones and Rick Mears.
Tom Rodger (Football, Rugby, '58) married UCLA graduate Rosemary Logan on December 14, 2003 at 'The Lodge' in La Jolla, California. Rosemary used to manage a shopping center and teach high school English. The mother of two grown children and two grandchildren, Rosemary currently works an agent with Prudential California Realty in La Jolla.
Brock Settlemier (Rugby, '56) retired as President of Bigge Crane and Rigging Company in 2003 to assume the position of Chairman at the same company. He's relying on his general engineering contractor background to build an addition to the vacation home he and wife, Marlene's own at Lake Tahoe. He's also building a pier there, as well. Not sure whether the pier got added after he read the plans for the house wrong or whether that was part of the original deal all along. Brock and Marlene play golf, ski and enjoy their nine grandchildren.
Monte Upshaw (Track, '58) is popping buttons left and right watching daughter Grace Upshaw (Track/Cross Country '96) rack up accomplishments on the International Track & Field scene. She's currently ranked 5th in the world in the Long Jump event, and will be one of the favorites when the Olympic Trials roll around in Sacramento this July. Chances seem good that you'll see her on the U. S. Team competing at the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens come August. Chances are also good that you'll see Monte sweating bullets in the stands watching her compete. What better way to spend the 50th anniversary of his 25'-4.25' jump in 1954 which broke Jesse Owens' national high school long jump record? One last note about Monte - he grabbed Low Gross honors at the recent Big C golf outing . . . which is a lot better than his usual 18-hole performances which he (and more than a few of his playing partners) simply refer to as gross.
Jeff Warren (Rugby, '70) was a smash hit as MC of the recent Big C Seniors Recognition Banquet held at The I House on campus in April. Aside from giving former Half-Mile World Record Holder Lon Spurrier credit for former Miler Don Bowden's achievement of being the first American to break the four-minute-mile barrier, Jeff was at the top of his scrum. (or is it better to be at the bottom of a scrum?) Anyway, he did great. And on the subject of ruggers, special kudos to the Jack Clark and the current rugby team. Not only did they win the National Championship (again), all their seniors showed up in force for the Big C Banquet in Zebras and ties . . . looking every bit as sharp as their coach demands both on the field and off. These guys absolutely reek of the pride, respect and dedication of which champions are made.
Steven Washburn (Baseball, '79) moved from the Bay Area seven years ago and is now living in the rural east-central region town of Show Low, Arizona. He has founded a surgical center and Open MRI facility in the area, and says small town life is good for raising a family. Steve is involved with local schools doing orthopaedics and sports medicine. His twin sons (age 11) are terrific competitive skiers & they had a greatdownhill ski season with one making the Junior Olympics team and the other winning the Arizona State Championship! Steve sends special 'hi-fives' to all Cal athletes from the '70's. (what
. . . the rest of us are chopped liver??)
Kent Weaver (Track, '35) lives in Shasta, California and is President of The Hughes Plywood Company in Redding. He has six great-grandchildren and 'more to come.' Kent spends his summers at Trinity Center, CA and is & always riding his 3 horser to the lakes and streams in Trinity County.'
Cheryl Westberg (Softball, '77) and husband, Paul (also Cal '77), celebrated their 30th Anniversary in August of last year. The Westbergs live in Oakdale, CA, and send congratulations to all Cal's teams who have recently celebrated championship seasons and/or achieved (or surpassed) team goals they set for themselves.
Bob Witter (Rugby, '51) retired from the stock brokerage profession (Dean Witter & Co.) in 2003. Immediately after graduation from Cal, he was 'called up' to serve as a forward observer with the 7th Infantry in Korea. He fought at Pork Chop Hill and was awarded the Bronze Star. Bob and wife Marilyn live in Sacramento. Both sons � Bob, Jr. and Richard � went to Cal. Bob is a tried and true supporter of Cal Rugby. He sends congratulations and best wishes to Jack Clark, Jerry Figone, the players and all supporters and admirers of Cal's extraordinary rugby program.
David Yengoyan (Baseball, '99) recently became engaged to Dominique Lupercio, a graduate of Pepperdine University. Dominique teaches Kindergarten. While is in his 3rd year of Law School at San Joaquin College of Law in Clovis, CA, David is working at Quinlan, Kershaw & Fanucchi in Fresno. David and his family took Dominique to her first Big Game this past November and thinks he won't have any difficulty convincing Dominique that she'll want to be a Cal parent some day.
The Big C Society recently held a Golf Gathering at the Claremont Country Club in Oakland. In addition to members mentioned earlier in this issue, those who played but didn't win prizes and claimed either (a) they shot less than 200 for the day or (b) consumed less than 2 quarts of Tequila at the reception (which, incidentally, was catered by Compadres) included Dick Erickson (Football, '49), Paul Larson (Football, '54),Ed Bartlett (Football, '52), Gregg Thornton, (Track, '83), Dick Heggie (Track, '44), Wayne Hooper (Baseball, Basketball, '47), Andy Wolfe(Basketball, '49), Jim Smith, (Basketball, '47), George Walker (Basketball, '49), Dan Lufkin (Basketball, '64), Bill MacLaughlin(Swimming, Water Polo, '53), Ed Lippstreu (Basketball, '53), Art Johnson (Baseball, '53), Sheldon Onstead (Swimming, '55), Bob Milano(Baseball Coach, 1978-99), Paul 'Boomer' Andrew (Football, '52), Gordon Cuneo (Basketball, '48), Jack Vohs (Honorary '50), A. Kent Tichenor (Honorary '53), Bud Van Deren (Football, '48), and Bill Bailey (Honorary, 51 and current Big C President).
Here are a few pictures from the reception. Would you drive home with any of these guys?
In the background, Joe Griffin tells Boomer Andrew about an old world record he almost had while George Walker, Wayne Hooper and Ed Bartlett pay the proper amount of respect to Joe's tale.
Gordon Cuneo tells Jim Smith how close his drive came to the Fairway, while Andy Wolfe tries (successfully) to keep from laughing.
Ed Lippstreu (far left, back to camera) makes a point to Art Johnson and Dale Baumler while Bill MacLaughlin holds up the outdoor heater with his feet. The identify of the sport shirt wearer hidden behind Ed is being withheld to protect his reputation.
Gregg Thornton and Jack Vohs try desperately to focus. With limited success.
Joe Griffin (right) has just told Rupe Ricksen that he'd pay for the drinks. Dick Heggie stands in the background trying to remember when Joe had ever made such an offer before.
Dan Lufkin (right) has just made the mistake of asking Wayne Hooper for some coaching advice. George Walker (foreground) has heard it all before.
Monte Upshaw (left) listens to Paul Larson describe how much more effective today's quarterbacks would be if they could just execute the jump-pass properly.
Bob Milano shows Dick Erickson some of the coaching signals he used to flash from the dugout. Dick is trying very hard to look like he understands. Nice try, Dick
Kent Tichenor explains to Gregg Thornton why cocktails taste better when wearing a coat and tie. Background characters include John Ricksen, Paul Larson (with his back to the camera), Wayne Hooper and Andy Wolfe. Shown halfway between the foreground and background is Ed Bartlett . . . as well as Boomer Andrew's nose, stomach and hand. We're trying to find a more competent photographer for the next issue of Team Mates. (shouldn't be hard to do!)