Month: June 2020

With sadness, the VCCCDRA has learned of the passing of Gerd Koch the morning of June 26, 2020.  Gerd was an art professor at Ventura College.

Gerd Kock was a nationally known artist who was known for his abstract expressionistic paintings and who taught at Ventura College for many years. He earned his BFA from Wayne State University in Detroit, and his MFA from UCSB.  In addition to teaching at Ventura College, he co-founded the Studio Channel Islands Art Center which is a large area with four galleries (one in his name), a sculpture garden, and studios for thirty artists. As a Board member, he curated exhibitions, many of which were large paintings. He also curated a John Nava Exhibition of 30 to 40 large tapestry pieces for the Cathedral project at the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles (John Nava is a nationally known artist who produces large tapestries).  Use this link to read his bio at the Studio Channel Islands website.

We have no information regarding services at this time, and will post the obituary when it is published.

With sadness, VCCCDRA learned of the passing of Coach Larry Baratte.  During his tenure at Ventura College, Coach Baratte’s swimming teams won 24 Western State Conference titles and consistently finished in the top-5 at the California State Championships, highlighted by winning the 2005 and 2010 Men’s Swimming & Diving State Championship.  His teams were also honored statewide for their academic results with 12 teams earning the CCCAA State Scholar Team Award.  In 2007, Larry was inducted into the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame.

The family is asking in lieu of flowers, that memorial gifts be made to

(1) Brain Tumor Research at Cedars-Sinai.  Checks made payable to:  Cedars-Sinai, and in the memo line, “Larry Baratte/Dr Hu’s Research”.

Mail to:
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Attn: Paola Werstler 8700 Beverly Blvd.,
Suite 2416 Los Angeles,
CA 90048

If you have any questions, please call Paola Werstler at 310-423-2474 or email at paola.werstler@cshs.org.

OR

(2) to the Ventura College Foundation.  Checks made payable to Ventura College Foundation, and in the memo line “Larry Baratte Aquati Fund”

Mail to:
Ventura College Foundation
4667 Telegraph Road
Ventura, CA 93003 

Phone 805.289.6158
VenturaCollegeFoundation.org

Due to the coronavirus health crisis, arrangements for a Celebration of Life will be postponed until further notice.

To read Larry’s obituary, please use this link.