IN MEMORIAM Obituaries

SO LONG, BILL ADAMS

Before that, though, in April 1937, for the Engineering Society spring dance, Bill asked as his date “the belle of Santa Cruz,” Marijane E. Leishman. They wed two years later and were married for 66 years. “She was my inspiration,” he said. They had wonderful times traveling, fishing, and skiing. Their first son, Michael, was born in New York, and their second son, John, was born in Wisconsin.William (Bill) J. Adams Jr. ’37 passed away peacefully on Sept. 10, 2013, in San Jose at the age of 96. He was a member of the Silicon Valley Engineering Hall of Fame, a recipient of the 1991 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award from SCU, and honored with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He was a man who treasured the history of Santa Clara and all that it has become, and marveled at what engineering students make and do today. He was born on a farm near Riverdale, Fresno County. In 1927 his family moved to Santa Cruz. After graduating from Marianist Chaminade High School, he entered Santa Clara University to major in mechanical engineering. He visited the Golden Gate Bridge during its construction. And in 1937 he graduated magna cum laude and was awarded the Nobili Medal.

Bill started his career at General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York. In 1939, he took a leave of absence to help his father in the design of three earthmoving scrapers at Gar Wood Industries in Detroit. At the outset of World War II, Bill returned to GE to serve as chief project engineer for the first remote-controlled gun turrets for high-altitude aircraft. In 1946, he and his family returned to the South Bay, where he joined Food Machinery Corporation and enjoyed a 34-year career.

Bill wrote a book, History of the Santa Clara Valley Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1955–1985. It’s fair to say that he was the No. 1 fan of John J. Montgomery, who taught at Santa Clara and was a pioneer in heavier-than-air flight. Bill and Marijane Adams established a pair of scholarships for mechanical engineering students. Marijane preceded him in death in 2005. But Bill spoke fondly of the thank-you letters he received from scholarship recipients in recent years. They would, he said, have brought tears to Marijane’s eyes.

A Funeral Holy Mass was held at the Santa Clara Mission on Sept. 19. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the William J. and Marijane Adams Endowed Scholarship Fund for SCU Mechanical Engineering Students.

IN MEMORIAM

Howard Anawalt Photo by Charles Barry

Considered by many to be the father of the nationally recognized intellectual property program at the Santa Clara School of Law, longtime faculty member and professor emeritus Howard Anawaltdied on Aug. 6, 2013. He joined the law school in 1967 and was one of the first to specialize in the legal questions arising out of the high tech industry. He was the inaugural director of the International Institute (now called the Center for Global Law and Policy) and he served as the first director of the High Tech Advisory Board. Anawalt directed Santa Clara’s client counseling and national trial competitions, advised the Santa Clara Law Review, administered the Tokyo summer program, and served as advisor to The Santa Clara Computer and High Technology Law Journal. He held a deep passion for teaching and a commitment to his profession even after he retired in 2003.

Peter Filice, S.J., served the University 1993–2004, through Campus Ministry and as minister of the Jesuit Community. He was well-known on campus for his pastoral presence and warm heart. Whether he was leading retreats or conducting Bible study for faculty, staff, and students, he approached life with fullness and a great spirit of generosity. He died on Oct. 1, 2013.

Stephen J. Corio ’68, MBA ’76 had a successful career with IBM and decided, in his “second career,” to come home: He joined the faculty in the Leavey School of Business in 1998, teaching in the marketing department. He was dedicated to his undergrad and MBA students alike. He died on Oct. 5, 2013. Together with his family, we mourn Steve’s death while also thanking God for the gift of his life.

Victor Valdez ’84, M.A. ’94 worked from 1988 to 1998 as a resident minister in the dorms and with the Alumni Association. With his great faith in Our Lady of Guadalupe and inspiration from the writings and spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, he dedicated his life to God, working at St. John Vianney, St. Athanasius, and St. Denis, in Menlo Park. He planned retreats and gave talks and workshops at faith-formation conferences in San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Arizona. He was 51 when he died on July 17, 2013, from recurring brain tumors.

Luis Rivadeneyra, staff member in Information Technology, died unexpectedly on Sept. 14, 2013. He joined Santa Clara in 1999 as a telecommunications technician and became the campus expert on wiring systems, making regular visits to offices. He earned a reputation as a friendly and accommodating man ready to help.

Law student Luciana Manriquez, 29, died on June 25, 2013. She worked for the Northern California Innocence Project and hoped for a career with activist organizations to effect change. She was tough but kind and had a huge personality and could make anybody laugh.