Claremont Obituaries
Teacher, lifelong learner, traveler, beloved aunt and great-aunt Melisa Catherine Salvato was born in Pomona on June 11, 1957, to Orlando Gregory Salvato and Vittorina Fuduli Salvato. Melisa died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, March 6. She attended Harrison Elementary School in Pomona, El Roble Intermediate School, Claremont High School, Occidental College, and the […]
James (Jim) Ralph Laird died peacefully at home in Claremont at the age of 88 on Sunday, June 6. Everyone who knew Jim knew to take a moment … or a few … out of his or her day to listen to one of his stories or jokes. Jim’s story started in Jesup, Iowa on […]
Longtime Claremont resident, volunteer, was 106 years old Ruth Elizabeth Pitt, a resident of Claremont since 1967, died peacefully at home on June 5 at the age of 106. Ruth is survived by her dear godson Bernie (Tim) Weeder of Port Sanilac, Michigan; her devoted niece Gayle (Tony) Papa, of Claremont; loving relatives Mrs. Muriel […]
Beloved grandmother, prolific artist, adventurous, creative ‘yes’ girl Margaret “Margy” Gates, the only child of Ruth and Bill Crawford, died May 30 at the age of 89. Born two months premature on May 6, 1932 in Huntington Park, California, Margy’s early months were a challenge, but from the very beginning she showed stoic strength and […]
Beloved grandmother, devoted friend, traveler, ebullient, enthusiastic entertainer Longtime Claremont Resident Judith Ann (Judy) Carrington, 79, died peacefully, with her family by her side, on February 8 at Claremont Manor. Judy moved to California from Kalamazoo, Michigan during her senior year of high school. She was a member of the Claremont High class of 1957, […]
Grandmother, former Scripps College dean of faculty, professor, lover of literature Anne Fuller died in the morning hours of May 22 at the age of 89. She is survived by her brother, Thomas Havens; daughter, Kate Niles; son, Peter Fuller; and grandchildren, Sarah Fuller, Nicholas Fuller and Christopher Niles. Anne was born in 1932 in […]
Husband, father, grandfather, minister and community leader Rev. Barrie Gray died peacefully with members of his family and hospice support present in Claremont on May 17, after a lengthy health issue compounded by the emotional and physical impacts of pandemic isolation over the past year. He was born in Schenectady, New York on July 19, […]
Loving husband, father, son, friend, doctor and teacher David Shofler, 40, died suddenly during May. A polymath with a quick wit and dry sense of humor, Dave will be sorely missed by his family, friends, coworkers and students. He was born in Pasadena. After earning a degree in mathematics from UC Berkeley, he earned his […]
Kind, gregarious, dedicated father who believed in second chances Chris Rhoades, a longtime Claremont resident, died in Rancho Cucamonga on the week of May 10, 2021, at the age of 59. Chris will be remembered as a generous man who firmly believed in second chances, human kindness and the power of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, his favorite […]
A long life devoted to family and friends Laura Nancy (Bassett) Emerson, 98, died April 23 at home in Mt. San Antonio Gardens in Claremont. Born to Ray and Laura Bassett in Valley City, North Dakota, on August 10, 1922, young Nancy moved with her family to Long Beach, California. It was the California dream! […]
Professor emeritus, storyteller, inspirational educator, devoted family man Leonhard McLain Myers, a resident of Claremont for the last 57 years, died February 24 at his family home. He was 90 years old. Leonhard was born in 1930 to Mildred and William Myers in the heavily German area of south St. Louis, Missouri. A veteran of […]
Grandfather, bicycling enthusiast, traveler, worldly extrovert Oris V. Barber, age 86, died peacefully on May 5 following a stroke. His friends knew him best as the “crazy guy on a bike” who pedaled over 115,000 miles across he U.S. and Europe, sharing his journeys via his well-followed blogs. He never met a stranger, and they […]
Beloved son, lawyer, sports fan, Claremont High grad Garett Patrick Talve Hill, JD, 29, died Sunday, May 2 while watching the Angels game at home in Santa Monica. Garett had a dry sense of humor and a compelling demeanor; he took as well as he gave, but he was never mean. The cause of death […]
Longtime Pomona College professor, passionate urban explorer, historic preservationist Longtime Pomona College sociology professor, railroad enthusiast, and lifelong Claremont booster Bob Herman died on April 9 of complications following a recent fall. He was 92 years old. Robert Dunton Herman was born in 1928 in Champaign, Illinois, to parents Abbott P. Herman and Marjorie Dunton […]
Father, dedicated husband, loving grandfather, U.S. Marine William Paul Yerzyk died March 23 at age 86. Born and raised in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, Bill was an avid football player. He played quarterback and punter at Ambridge High School, earning a scholarship to Juniata College, where he caddied with future NFL coach, Chuck Knox. He was forever a […]
Loving grandfather, father, longtime Claremont resident, real estate agent Robert Paul Schreiber was born to Frank and Opal Schreiber in Berkeley, California on May 24, 1948. In 1952 he became an older brother to sister Marcia Eve Schreiber, and the family moved to Altadena/Pasadena, where they made their roots. He graduated from John Muir High […]
Paul Minus, a resident of Pilgrim Place in Claremont, died on February 12, of a heart attack. Paul was born on July 16, 1935 in Columbia, South Carolina and grew up in Charleston. A few weeks after turning 16 he left this home to attend Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1962, after […]