For the good and enlightenment of retirees
It is with great sadness that VCCCDRA has learned of the sudden passing of Connie Baker on December 4th, 2019. Connie was an administrative assistant at Ventura College, and served as Rene Rodriguez’ admin assistant when he was at VC. Rene remembers her, “She was very bright and took everything in stride. I can’t believe that she’s gone. It was much too soon for her.”
We have no information about services and will update this notice as soon as we can.
With sadness, VCCCDRA has learned of the recent passing on November 19th of Lois Denardo, who served as Oxnard College’s Financial Aid Officer for many years. She was a vital resource to students and faculty alike and always spoke fondly of her time there and the long-lasting friendships she built.
Lois’ family invite all who knew and loved her to join them in celebrating her life at 1:00 P.M. on December 7th, 2019 at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, 2052 Howard Road, Camarillo. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Lois to the charity of your choice.
To read her obituary, please use this link.
With sadness, the VCCCDRA recently learned of the passing on October 6, 2019 of Frank Bianchino. Frank was a counselor and psychology professor at Moorpark College. He joined the college in 1977. Frank graduated with a bachelor of arts from St Francis College; a master of science from St John’s University, and a Ph.D. from U.S. International University. In the Fall 1995 term, a Viet Nam War class was team taught by Frank, Dan Brown, and Hugo Ekback that was featured in the L.A. Times article of August 26, 1995. The referenced article is archived and the web address cannot be shared, however you can search for it thru Google.
Please click the Funeral Program from the Mass of Christian Burial to view.
With sadness, the VCCCDRA recently learned of the passing on January 22, 2019, of Dorothy Alice Johanson Mills. Dorothy worked at Moorpark College and Ventura College. She also enrolled at VC and took classes that lead to an AA degree in 1997.
Dorothy was very involved in Eastern Star being a member of both the Oxnard and Ventura chapters. She served as California deputy Grand matron in 1997. She also was part of the Red Hat Society.
Please use this link to read her complete obituary.
To return to the VCCCDRA website, click here.
The VCCCD Retirees Association has learned of the passing of the following colleagues. Because we are unable to provide additional information on them, we invite the membership to provide any memories you may have of these departed colleagues in the comments below.
For those listed below, no obituaries have been been found in a local mortuary nor in the VC Star.
To visit the VCCCDRA website, click here.
The VCCCD Retirees Association recently learned of the passing of Dr. Howard Schiller on October 14, 2017.
Dr. Howard L. Schiller Ventura, CA August 8, 1927- October 14, 2017 In loving memory of Howard L. Schiller who was an extraordinary man who accomplished more in his life then most could dream about. He was incredibly kind, loving and generous. He was loved and adored by so many, he will be greatly missed. Served in the US Navy, Retired LAPD Sargent, Teacher, Retired Professor Ventura Community College, Ventura Superior Municipal Court Commissioner, Coast Guard Auxiliary Search and Rescue Commander. Most of all he was a loving Husband of 58 years, Father, Docpa and friend. He died peacefully at home with family and friends .
Published in Ventura County Star from Oct. 27 to Oct. 29, 2017. To read his obituary, please click here.
To visit the VCCCDRA website, click here.
Gary Brinkman, a founding faculty at Oxnard College in 1975, passed away on June 30, 2019. Gary served as a counselor and taught Health Education classes. In later years before his retirement, he served as the Articulation Officer for the college.
Gary graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree; earned a master’s degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; and an Ed.D from Brigham Young University.
We have not been able to locate an obituary for Gary.
To visit the VCCCDRA website, click here.
The following was received from Rebecca Taggart Aaland, Mike’s daughter:
“Our loving, curmudgeonly, master story-telling father, Michael Taggart Sr. passed away peacefully on July 27th at his summer home in Michigan, at the age of 88. There was lightning and thunderclaps, gale-force winds, and rain as he left the house for the last time.
“Mike was many things. He was an intellectual, attending Princeton University and Colorado College. He taught English at The Ojai Valley School in the early 60s, was a hippie professor in the late 60’s and early 70’s, and later taught English Literature at Ventura College for many years. He was beloved by his many students.
“Mike was an irreverent tennis player, winning his first tournament in 1953. In his 60s, he and his partner won the senior national doubles title, with oh-so-many matches in between. He loved everything that moves fast, and was a serious, to put it mildly, collector of cars, boats and motorcycles, and his Ojai garage has been a destination for many vintage car and motorcycle enthusiasts over the decades.
“He is survived by his loving children, Rebecca Taggart and Michael Taggart, their spouses Mikkel Aaland and Lori Taggart, his granddaughters Miranda and Ana Aaland, and his long-time partner, Hiroko Yoshimoto.
“There will be a memorial on Sunday, September 8, starting at 5pm, at court one in Libby Park. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial contributions in his name to the Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament (OVTC).”
The above obituary was published in the Ventura County Star on Sunday, August 25, 2019; click here to view.
To visit the VCCCDRA website, click here.
Virginia Johnson, part-time faculty at both Ventura College and Oxnard College, passed away on August 7, 2019 at the age of 94. Virginia attended Glendale College as an art major and illustrator for the college newspaper. She received a BA in Sociology from California State University, Northridge, and then a Masters in Vocational Education from California State University, Long Beach. Virginia taught classes in journalism, English, typing and keyboarding, first at Ventura College and then at Oxnard College where she retired in 2004 at the age of 79.
A complete history of her life was published in the Ventura County Star on Sunday, August 11, 2019. Please click here to read the obituary.
To visit the VCCCDRA website, click here.
Janice Endo in Human Resources was kind enough to share, with Joy Kobayashi and Harry Cullotta, the names of additional former (retired) VCCCD employees who have passed away within the last three years. Their passing was unknown to the VCCCDRA until so informed by Janice. We are grateful to her for helping us keep tabs on so many of our membership living in so many locales.
Because we have not been able to locate informed obituaries, we are asking the membership’s help in providing information on our recently passed colleagues. We would like to know which location they worked, position(s) they held, and any other memories you may have.
The names Janice provided are (please click on each name to read the limited obituary for each):