Robert Joseph Connors

Samuel David Dickson “Sam” passed from this world on July 28,2021 in Palm Springs, California. With a big smile for everyone he met, Sam was a cherished and generous friend of many. Born in Blythe, Arizona, July 31, 1947, he was the son of the late David and Annie Ruth (Buttrill) Dickson Purpus.

Sam travelled extensively as a child, as his father’s work in the Army Corps of Engineers took the family to far off places. He would often tell stories of his years living in Bangkok, Thailand, cementing a lifelong affection for the Thai culture and especially Thai food. Back in the States, his family settled in South San Francisco, where Sam attended South San Francisco High School, graduating with the class of 1965. He attended College of San Mateo and earned his bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from Cal State, Hayward (now Cal State, East Bay).

Sam was a dedicated and beloved middle school teacher, spending over 30 years at Bowditch Middle School in Foster City. His students saw him as tough, but fair. He managed to turn around even the most reluctant among them to become excited about learning.

Sam was a talented artist during his youth, sometimes painting under the pseudonym D.L.Robinson. Sam’s homes in San Francisco, Mexico and South City were elegant comfortable places where he entertained friends, collected art, and enjoyed a good laugh.

He lived for 20 years in the Duboce triangle neighborhood of San Francisco, where he made friends walking his beloved pug “Toby” in Duboce Park.

Sam enjoyed travel. Especially memorable was his trip “down the Nile” with longtime friend, the late Robert Wiggins. And who could forget the stay at the villa in Florence, or travel around the Greek Isles. Sam recently moved permanently to Palm Springs where he thoroughly enjoyed desert life and his friends there.

Among his closest companions were the late Michel Aufrère, the late Shari O’Connor, and Omar Alhayli. He leaves behind many friends from education, especially in the San Mateo-Foster City School District. Among other friends and loved ones who will miss him dearly: Glenn, Veronica, Michael, Betsy, Mary, Rose, Diane, Greg, Jim, Richard, Philip, Virginia, Tony, Steve, Mara, Audra, Michelle, and many, many others. He will be especially missed by his close cadre of three longtime college friends: Suanna, Judith, and Alfred, who celebrated 55 years of friendship together this year.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date when it is safe to gather. If interested in attending, please email “Sam Dickson Celebration” to: alfred239@ gmail.com

Robert “Bob” “Bott” Connors passed away peacefully on August 16, 2021 at the age of 82 due to complications from dementia.

Bob was born, raised and lived in his beloved San Francisco. He was the only child of parents, Joseph Monroe Connors and Grace Elizabeth Elliott who predeceased him. He was beloved by all who knew him and the epitome of a gentleman. Bob attended Polytechnic High School and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Liberal Arts.

His early career consisted of working at the local affiliate of CBS and during college and after he worked at KQED. In 1970, he went to work for Western Tri Pack Corporation as Sales Manager until, in 1981 he, along with two partners, Frank Arnold and Tag Iwai formed their own company as ACI Display Corporation. Bob retired from ACI Display Corporation in 1988.

Later in life, when he bought one of the very first laptops, he went to City College in San Francisco to learn how to use it. When Bob wanted to learn something, he would make it happen!

Following his retirement he and Joyce travelled extensively around the world enjoying many cruises and visiting friends.

Bob had a lot of friends who described him as having “a wonderful attitude, always positive, never a downer” and “warm, incredibly friendly, kind, considerate, honest, and supportive. He was a good listener and a really good friend”.

Bob is survived by his wife, Joyce Reno, his children with his first wife Marilyn, Bob Connors Junior (Lana), Kathy Waterhouse (Tom), and Jim Connors (Carrie); his stepchildren Maura Millison (Tony), Todd Millison (Laura); his grandchildren Josh, Justin, Jacob, and Jonathan Waterhouse, Jimmy and Jesse Connors, and Anthony Millison (Gabrielle), Ember Thompson, Aurelio and Sean Millison and his great granddaughter Olive Millison.

He wished for no funeral service to be held. His ashes will be returned to family. Donations in his memory would be welcomed at The Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice of the East Bay.