William Hart

Resident of Los Altos, California

This amazing: Husband, Father, Grandfather (Aidan, Alexandra, Edward, Tori), Son, Uncle, Friend, Eagle Scout, Mentor, Volunteer, Korean War Air Force Veteran, UC Berkely (undergrad), SAE fraternity brother, Santa Clara University (MBA Graduate), Geezer and Xeroid passed away late October, 2018.

He left us quickly and unexpectedly. While he had a tough month before passing – he was in good spirits and seemingly improving. His son and daughter were at his side. Interestingly enough – he passed nearly 8 years to the day after his beloved wife “Ruthie” passed in 2010.

A ‘third-generation’ native Californian; he was born in Oakland, at the beginning of the “Great Depression”. He was proud of graduating from:

* Fremont High School in Oakland

* UC Berkeley (B.S. Business Administration)

* Santa Clara University (MBA)

Careers included: Lockheed, Ampex, Xerox, Memorex and Apple Computer; where he worked with Steve Jobs. (Although he preferred working with/ for Steve Wozniak.) His career spanned a time when the word ‘silicon’ was never mentioned in tandem with Santa Clara Valley…the Valley was more orchards and open-space than concrete, venture-capitalists and EPA Super-fund sites. He was truly an “OG” when it came to the emergence of “high-tech” sales and salesmanagement in the Valley.

He lived a life of service to: family, friends, UC Berkeley, Santa Clara University, The American Red Cross, Alcoholics Anonymous, Los Altos United Methodist Church, Friends of the Los Altos Library (he served as President in 97, 99), CASA (child advocate services), and Reading For The Blind, to mention some, not all, of his efforts on behalf of others.

He enjoyed: everything to do with UC Berkeley (especially the ‘Lair of the Bear’ family camps), running (he completed numerous marathons), skiing, reading (especially dictionaries), travelling the globe with Ruthie (65 years married), Yosemite, Tahoe, Carmel, Arizona, gardening (he excelled at pruning trees/ shrubs), Scrabble, and spending time with his family and friends (admittedly, his friends were easier on him than his family!). The recent loss of his wonderful friend of 70+ years (Jack Lynd) hit him particularly hard, both emotionally and physically.

He never met a “stranger” and always took the time (made the effort) to remember people’s names. Regardless, of when – or how – they met.

He fought “the good fight” to the very end.

He will be tremendously missed…spoken highly of for many generations…and remembered by the numerous families he positively impacted with his efforts and contributions to our Society’s greater good. HE MADE A DIFFERENCE!

He tried to leave everyone, and everywhere, better off because of his presence. Do you feel the void? We do. His absence is palpable.

Please share your memories of him whenever, and, wherever possible. He would be grateful.

The family would like to recognize his primary physicians:

Dr. Jobalia was his primary care physician, Dr. Zarghamee his Nephrologist, and Dr. Primeau his ‘sleep’ specialist. Without these wonderful people

-- he would have passed long ago.

Additionally; the assistance, love and support from Virginia Fleming (our additional caregiver) during the last four years of his life had a tremendously positive effect on all of us (Pop, son, daughter). For this we will be forever thankful.

Finally, our father’s last act of service to UC (and medical science) was to donate his physical remains to: The UCSF Willed-Body Program. Please consider doing the same. Contact: 415-476-1981. Services:

January 9, 2019

12 pm

Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Avenue. Los Altos (corner of Foothill Expressway and Magdalena Avenue).

Family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to either:

Friends of Los Altos Library, POB 212, Los Altos, California 94022

Or

The Parkinson’s Institute, 675 Almanor Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94085