Ronald Wagner

Ronald A. Wagner passed away in the early morning hours of May 23, 2022 of complications of cardiovascular disease. After a long battle without complaint, with a smile on his face and love all around him, his heart said – no more.

Ron was born and grew up in Oakland, CA where he attended Fremont High School. Ron loved all music, including Classical, big band, military marches and anything else he might play. His fascination with popular music led him to become a member of the National Guard Governor’s band at the age of 15 necessitating a severe overstatement of his age. His service was abruptly ended when the band was activated for duty in the Korean Conflict. His true age was revealed and he returned to high school. However, his love of music continued to influence him throughout his life as did his love of athletics.

Ron attended Stanford University on an academic scholarship, majoring in English History, and graduated in January 1956. As a freshman, he was the captain of the Freshman’s basketball team and reached his athletic peak. Thereafter, as a member of the varsity team, he watched his younger brother, Harold (Hap) Wagner, grow taller, excel at the game of basketball and star. Ron became his biggest fan.

At graduation and while awaiting orders for active duty in the U.S. Air Force, Ron learned that such orders might be delayed up to one year. He made a last-minute application to Stanford Law School and was accepted for immediate entry.

During his undergraduate days, Ron became a member of the Stardusters, a local dance band and became acquainted with George Yamasaki, a Stanford student from Hawaii who, in addition to playing the saxophone, was an accomplished piano man. When both Ron and George entered Law school, they reunited and for the next 40 years, shared the joy of playing as two of the Ron Wagner Quartet. They performed at charitable events and private personal events, one of the later ones being Ron’s own wedding in 1991 when he said his vows, cut the cake, kissed his bride and then disappeared into the band for the balance of the reception.

After graduation from law school and completion of three years as an Investigative Agent in the United States Air Force, Ron returned to Oakland, and began a 50-year legal career. He thrived with the challenge of the law, and he loved people. He adored mentoring young people, ranging from coaching pony league baseball while still in college, to training young lawyers as a senior partner of the large law firm. He taught law at the community college level and served on numerous boards providing for legal education and governance. .

In 1989, Ron left the large law firm and became Of Counsel to another firm. In doing so, he associated with Sandi Elstead, another Stanford alum and an attorney he had opposed on many occasions over the previous 14 years. Three years later, Ron & Sandi were married, and thereafter created the Law Office of Wagner & Wagner, which continued until their retirement in 2012.

Ron dreamed of giving back to Stanford for all of the benefits he had received and with the creation of a fully endowed athletic scholarship in 2002, he and Sandi, together with his brother and sister-in-law, started a lineage of young athletes who gifted him with the joy of watching young men grow into wonderful young adults.

Ron was pre-deceased by his first wife, Paddy, in 1989 and his brother, Harold, in 2016. He is survived by his loving wife, Sandi, his daughters, Wendy (Ken Walden) & Gretchen, his sister, Jeanne (Robin Strong), his sister-in -law, Marcia, together with grandchildren, Christopher, Jessica and Aeriss and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A special thank you is extended to Purnima Bhatt, a wonderful women who cared for Ron during the past 4 years, keeping him positive, motivated and always doing the maximum his body would allow. She was and remains a part of the family.

At his request, no services were held. Cherished friends have shared private moments of celebration of his wonderful life. If you otherwise choose to celebrate him, please consider a donation in his memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to your favorite charity.

Ken Wiseth, devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather, died at home after complications due to a fall.

Born in San Francisco, Ken was a hard-working first-generation American, the son of Nils and Tora Wiseth, Norwegian immigrants who had met and married in San Francisco. Ken grew up in the Eureka Valley neighborhood where he attended grade school and Everett Junior High. He graduated from San Francisco Polytechnic High School (Fall ‘48) and was a Block P athlete. At Poly, Ken had played football for two years and then as a senior, he played basketball, the sport at which he really excelled. He married his high school sweetheart, Carol Bradshaw, (misidentified as ‘Menhennet’ in Poly High year books) as soon as she graduated (Fall ‘50). Ken got into the trades, as a glazier, and was foreman for the Deasy Glass Company in San Francisco for many years. Ken and Carol left San Francisco for the peninsula in the early 1960s for a home in Belmont. In the early 1970s, he joined Rich Carlson (deceased) in partnership doing business as the Carlson-Wiseth Glass Company on Ellis Street, where he worked until he retired in the early 1990s.

Ken and Carol retired first to their home in Lake Tahoe and then later to Hopland, California. In early 2021, Ken and Carol moved to Sparks, Nevada to live with their youngest daughter, Dani.

Ken truly was a family man. He was devoted to Carol, his wife of 72 years, and was happiest with her by his side. An avid Warriors fan, he enjoyed nothing more than watching a basketball game surrounded by the many generations of their family.

He was a loving father to Karen Silva, Kelli Wiseth, Kristi Rosetti, Derek Wiseth (Carmine), Marcie Reeves (David), Garret Wiseth (Debbie), and Dani Wiseth. “Poppa” Ken treasured his grandchildren, Ryanne Levi (Tim), Michael Silva, Lauren Smith (Sean), Kiel Rosetti (Morgan), Kori Rosetti, Karli and Gunnar Reeves, and Bowden, Kaiden, and Loghan Wiseth. He adored his great grandchildren, Paige and Erin (Levi), Trinity and Massimo (Silva), Brooklyn, Blake, London, and Scottlyn (Smith), and Audrey, Cash, and Paige (Rosetti).

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Marshall Zemon, aged 93, died in his sleep in Carlsbad, CA after a brief illness. Born in LA, he lived most of his life in SF. Fan of local sports teams, especially the SF Giants. A proud 33rd degree Mason. Survived by his daughters, Jeri and Sharon Zemon. Predeceased by his wife Sara-Mae Zemon and long time partner Barbara Rothenberg. Private services were held. Donations can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or the

Shriner’s Hospital.