Claremont Obituaries

Jerry Carson, a longtime Claremont resident, died peacefully May 22 surrounded by his family and friends in Fort Smith, Arkansas, following a brief illness. He was 88 years old.

Arnold “Arnie” Frank, film executive, producer, musician, and agent to myriad famed entertainers, died November 12 following a fall in his Claremont home. He was 93 and working to the end. Arnie was a life member of both the Motion Picture Academy’s Executive Branch and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 47, Hollywood.

Delores Lillian Burris died peacefully November 13 at age 89 in Claremont after a brief illness. Delores was a dedicated and loving partner to Nancy Clark and co-mother to five children. She was born in 1933 in Detroit, Michigan but lived most of her life in and around Los Angeles, graduating magna cum laude from Immaculate Heart College in 1973 with a major in Spanish and minor in social relations.

Ward Elliott, a beloved Claremont McKenna College professor who inspired the minds and spirits of generations of students through his teaching, mentorship, and sing-along parties, died in his home on December 6 at age 85. A renowned scholar of American government, constitutional law and the Supreme Court, Elliott joined CMC in 1968 at age 29 after earning three degrees from Harvard University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. As the Burnet C. Wohlford Professor Emeritus of American Political Institutions for 49 years, he held the rare distinction of serving under all five CMC presidents.

Susan Elise Dollar died at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center on November 22. She was 60. Susan was born May 10, 1962 in Passaic, New Jersey. The daughter of two professors, and the youngest of four children, she grew up in nearby Rutherford and attended Rutherford High School. Her early life was enriched by frequent trips to museums and ballet performances in New York City, yearly visits to her grandparents and other extended family in the St. Louis, Missouri area, and summer vacations on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, one of her favorite places.

Richard “Dick” Stowell died Saturday, November 26 at his home in Kenmore, Washington. He leaves a rich legacy of laughter, learning, and lifelong loyal friendships. Dick was an educator with Claremont Unified School District for many years (most of them at Mountain View Elementary). Born in Edgerton, Wisconsin, he moved to Upland at age 11. He often recounted his days of playing in the many nearby orange groves. 

Robert L. Hauducoeur was born in Philadelphia on May 26, 1944, the third child of Dorothy and Robert Hauducoeur, joining two older sisters. He was raised in the Philadelphia suburb of Glenolden. “Bob” was married to Pat for 56 years. They have three sons, Tim, Rob, and Kyle; three daughters-in-law, Tera, Julie, and Monee; and three grandchildren, Jenna, Josh and Jack, all of whom reside in Upland.

Well known orthopedic surgeon Dr. James P. Beasom III died at age 99 on November 13 with his family by his side, 46 days shy of his 100th birthday. He and his identical twin brother, Dr. Ralph D. Beasom, were born in Seattle, Washington to the Rev. James P. Beasom Jr. and Helga Kirkrod Beasom.

Gabriel Damico died Sunday, October 9 in Claremont. He was 97. Gabe was a longtime resident, educator and volunteer in Claremont. He was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, the son of Giuseppe and Assunta Damico.

Harry Jan Steendam, born on July 31, 1997 at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, died at the age of 25 on November 7 at the family home in Claremont.

Fulton B. Eaglin died at age 80 on November 18. He was born to Simon and Marguerite (Davis) on November 23, 1941, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He attended St. John the Baptist and St. Thomas Catholic Schools.

Former longtime Claremont resident Gerry Gardner died October 19 near his home in Carlsbad, California. He was 82 years old.

Dr. John Mertens, a longtime Claremont resident, died peacefully on Monday, October 17, surrounded by family. He was 81. John was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 29, 1941, the oldest of two children, to Armand and Marion Mertens. He spent his very happy childhood exploring the neighborhoods of Detroit, often with his best friend of 70 years, Doug Francis. His family moved to California in 1959, and he graduated from Chaffey High School that same year.

‘Renaissance man in the rough’ Stewart (also known as Lan or Lanny) Farley was a Renaissance man who left this world on October 5. Stewart’s last retreat was his own […]

U.S. Army veteran, ‘force to be reckoned with’ John William “Bloomie” Blumenfeld died November 17, 2021, in Bullhead City, Arizona, with his wife Patricia at his bedside. He was 64 […]

Audrey Allen, 91, died on October 30. Audrey was born May 8, 1931, to Betty (nee Nutt) and Walter Walker in La Jolla, California.   The family moved to Glendora when she was a teenager and she graduated from Citrus Union High School in 1948. She had happy memories of being a member of the glee club at Citrus, and attended many school reunions and maintained friendships from those days.

Evelyn Marion Connelly, born October 8, 1941, died peacefully October 26 with her family at her side, in Bothell, Washington.