Bernard Thomas Hofmann ’56 was the first of three generations of Broncos: daughter Barbara Hofmann Evans ’82 and grandson Matthew Evans ’14 followed in his SCU footsteps. Bernie was a track star at Bellarmine College Prep, where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. After serving in the Korean War with the U.S. […]

A man of dry wit, astounding memory, and architectural skill, Lawrence Mackel ’56 died July 16, 2023. After earning his civil engineering degree, Larry would go on to lead an airfield construction project for the U.S. Army as well as be licensed as an architect, civil engineer, and structural engineer in five states. In his […]

Sarsfield Kelly ’56 died Feb. 13. At Santa Clara, Kelly played basketball and met LaVerne Moresco for the first time, even though they had only lived a block and a half from each other while growing up in San Francisco. The pair fell in love. Kelly went on to teach and coach at Jefferson High […]

Daniel Romero ’56 a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died March 18. Dan served 8 years of active duty in the United States Army and another 13 in the reserves, where he was promoted to Lt. Colonel. Dan earned a Master’s Degree in Education from California State University-Sacramento and found success in education. He handcrafted […]

Robert Tourtelot ’56, celebrated attorney and deeply loved husband, father, and grandfather died on February 2, 2023. Bob had a distinguished career in entertainment law at the Los Angeles firm of O’Melveny & Myers, where he worked with major newspapers, radio stations, motion picture studios, and celebrities, as well as the L.A. Dodgers. He later […]

Harry Ghiringhelli ’56 was drafted into the Army after college. When he returned to the states, Harry took over his family’s restaurant in Fairfax, California, Deer Park Villa, for more than 50 years. Harry and the love of his life, Jackie, eventually built a house on one corner of the Deer Park Villa property. Harry […]

Robert Allan Clarkin ’56 moved to Honolulu in 1958 to manage his family’s Pepsi-Cola plant and start a family with Marilyn. From then on, Hawaii would be home. Robert lived as a family man, mentor, golfer, tennis player, hunter, fisherman, yachtsman, chess player, pilot, guitarist, singer, dancer, great cook, and entrepreneur. He is survived by […]

After graduating from Santa Clara, Michael King ’56 was an active parishioner, including 30 years at St. Mary Parish in Long Beach, Washington. He read and sang in church, was on the Parish Council, and ran the religious education program. The beloved father, grandfather, high school teacher and coach, lover of languages, unrivaled Jeopardy genius, […]

Marcel Poché ’56 was a constitutional scholar, distinguished jurist, liberal Democrat, and loving father. He had a wry and clever sense of humor. His favorite pastime was photography, and he spent many hours in his own darkroom, where he mastered black & white and color development before there was digital photography. He enjoyed the symphony […]

Though drawn to journalism, William Chambers ’56 discovered a love of teaching. His teaching career began in 1958 at Oakland High School and continued for the next eight years in Sacramento at Highlands High and Foothill High. Bill later became a college professor at Sacramento City College, and in 1970 was hired at American River […]

Joseph Wallace ’56 died July 25, 2022. He grew up in the Bay Area and worked as a branch manager for Johnson Controls. He met his wife Irene at Burlingame High School. They raised five children on their small ranch in Loomis, Calif, where they raised most of their own food. 

Joe Wallace ’56 was born in New Brunswick, Canada, but grew up in the Bay Area. He graduated from Santa Clara University as a mechanical engineer. He spent two years in the Army in Germany. Most of his career was as branch manager for Johnson Controls. He met his wife, Inez, in high school and […]

Dean Norman Robinson ’56 thrived in high school in Lodi, California, where he was the school’s most outstanding athlete as a basketball and baseball player. It was also where he met his wife of 65 years. Dean continued his athletic career at Santa Clara University. In 1983, he was inducted into the Lodi Sports Hall […]

A Jesuit for 61 years,  Anthony P. Sauer, S.J. ’56, M. Div. ’71 served a total of 40 years at St. Ignatius Prep, including 27 years as president. His favorite role, however, was English teacher. When St. Ignatius instituted a full-scholarship middle school in 2017, the campus was named the Father Sauer Academy in his […]

Legend has it that Philip James Thompson ’56 was born with the brawny build that he maintained his entire life. At SCU, he played football. Phil was on a path to the priesthood when the charms of Colleen Powers captured him.  He served as a judge and later as a law professor and corporate counsel […]

After attending Santa Clara University, Arthur Lane McFadden ’56 served in the Korean War. As a member of the Army’s Honor Guard, Arthur was stationed in Arlington National, where he was an Honor Guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After his service, Arthur returned to Oregon and graduated from Lewis & Clark’s Northwestern School […]

For 44 years, Father Francis “Fran” R. Smith, S.J. ’56 M.Div. ’70 taught at Santa Clara University as a professor of theology and religious studies. He recently celebrated his 60th anniversary as a Jesuit. An influential teacher, who taught a variety of theology and religious studies courses, Fr. Smith continued teaching even after retiring to Sacred Heart […]

Longtime principal of Redwood High School Donald H. Grady ’56 was a lifelong learner beginning with his education at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno. Don went on to graduate from Santa Clara University and earn his master’s degree from Fresno State University. He spent his entire professional career in education, as a teacher, counselor […]

Donald Vermilya Gray ’56 died on February 25 after a long battle with mesothelioma. Born in Woodland, Don graduated from Woodland High School and Santa Clara University. After proudly serving his country for two years in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Korean War, Don worked in various hospitals in the area including UC Davis Medical […]

At SCU Charles ‘Dick’ Scanlan ’56 served both on the football team and in the ROTC before graduating with a degree in accounting. He went on to marry Carolan and raised six children together. He retired from Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., after 35 years, as vice president of finance and enjoyed time traveling. Dick […]