W. David Oke Jr. ’66 on Feb. 8, 2010. A Menlo Park advertising executive, he died of heart failure at the age of 65. Born on 27 July 1944 in Michigan and raised in Southern California, Oke received a BA from Santa Clara in 1966 and an MA from Stanford in Communications, Broadcasting and Film Specialization. Oke was a cofounder of The Roanoke Company an advertising agency. For nearly four decades Oke was the creative director, art director, editor and product supervisor, and, ultimately, president of the agency. Roanoke got its start in 1973, after Oke and friends began the National Sam Ervin Fan Club to help impeach President Nixon. Seventy thousand people joined the club, whose success inspired Oke and friends to start a company working for people and causes they believed in. The Roanoke Company provided public service advertising, political consulting and public relations for environmental causes. Roanoke conceived and produced all media for the CHP’s Motorcycle Safety Campaign, a ten-year effort culminating in a drop of 70 percent in fatalities. Roanoke also pioneered a "designated driver" approach for highway safety to reduce drunken driving accidents. More recently, Oke was the campaign manager for the successful campaign of Dolores Carr for District Attorney of Santa Clara County. Oke was a cofounder of Friends of the River. A loving husband, David married Lorraine Luther of Los Altos in 1984; they had one son, Adam James Oke. Lorraine and David recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Point Lobos, where they met. David was deeply devoted to his son, participating as a coach in Adam’s youth basketball league. An enthusiast of Harry Potter, David could often be found reading from the series to his son and his classmates at their Woodside school, always careful to get "in character" to make the readings more magical. An avid fisherman and sports enthusiast with a wonderful sense of humor, David lived life with purpose and passion. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; son, Adam; mother, Hilda; sister, Sherry; Aunt, Jo Harlow; and many dear friends and family members. David – You are dearly missed by all who knew and loved you. A memorial service was held March 4 at Stanford Memorial Church. Donations may be made to the Adam Oke Scholarship Foundation, Bank of the West, 5452 Sunol Blvd., Pleasanton, Ca. 94566.