In Memoriam

Bowen Dillman '07 - February, 2024

Bowen Anderson “Bo” Dillman died in his San Diego home 02/22/2024 at age 43 from complications of 2009 H1N1 influenza myocarditis-cardiomyopathy, and hereditary autosomal dominant adult-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1(DM-1) diagnosed in 2019. He graduated from San Diego Torrey Pines High School in 1999 and attended UCSB 1999-2005 (BA Spanish). He worked for 8 years at the global communications company ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA. He was an avid college and professional football fan and was champion of several fantasy football leagues. In his final homebound years, he was internationally known by the moniker “Assassin Bowen” in the Sea of Thieves interactive videogame. He never married and had no children. He was predeceased by his mother Candace M. Anderson (ovarian cancer 2014, late-onset DM-1). He is survived by his father Robert O. Dillman and stepmother Jacquelyn B. Dillman, Newport Beach, CA, brothers Bradley and Brandon (Clintonville, WI, Grafton, MA), sister Kelda Becker, Columbus, MT and stepbrothers Benjamin, Matthew, and Andrew Cornforth (San Jose, CA, San Marcos, CA, Carlisle, MA). Per his wishes, his body was donated to the UCSD School of Medicine for scientific study.

Robert Rochelle '74 - January, 2024

Robert D. Rochelle (1952-2024) passed on January 2nd, 2024, with 71 years of a life well lived. Born in Champaign, Illinois to Rene and Annona Rochelle, Rob grew up in Santa Barbara, California, which led to his love for the mountains and the sea. With a B.A.Sc. in Biology, MA in Physiology and a JD, Rob practiced as an attorney for over 30 years. He was an honored member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and named as a Top Lawyer in San Diego. Above all, Rob cared about helping people, participating in a medical mission trip in Panama, and a humanitarian aid site in Syria, among others. Rob enjoyed traveling the world, hiking, history, sports, and most of all – being a loving husband, dad and grandfather.

Rob is survived by his children Jennifer, Nicholas, Stephanie and Aimee, his daughter-in-law Tia, his grandchildren Felix and Charlie, his siblings Rick, Connie, Mark, Jan and Debbie, his nephews and nieces, his second wife Marla, her children Ross and his wife Lauren, Will and his wife Amber, and grandchildren Lily, Taylor, Paige, Austin, Spencer and Zachary.

To celebrate Rob’s life, join us at San Roque Parish on Thursday, Feb 8th at 10:30am.

Jeffrey Foskett '78 - December, 2023

Jeffrey Foskett was one of the driving voices behind The Beach Boys concerts and Brian Wilson. As a member and musical director of The Beach Boys from 1980 through 1991, Jeffrey performed before millions of fans in some of the largest events and venues in Rock and Roll history. Some of these include Live Aid, Farm Aid, Command Performance for the Queen of England, four U.S. Presidents, and the Prince of Monaco. Jeffrey was on stage for the famous Beach Boys 4th of July Concerts on the Mall in Washington DC and Philadelphia that drew millions of fans and with Brian Wilson when he appeared to a world-wide television audience of 80 million.

In addition to The Beach Boys/Brian Wilson teams, Foskett toured and recorded with other legends in the music industry such as Paul McCartney, Barry Manilow, Heart, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Ringo Starr.

Scott Davis '96 - August, 2023

Scott was born to Dr. John and Carolyn Davis on June 25, 1973 in Paso Robles, CA. He graduated from Paso Robles High School where he excelled in water polo and was elected student body president.
He attended UCSB where he graduated magna cum laude in 1999. He completed his medical degree at Thomas Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia followed by his residency at UCLA Medical School.
Scott’s medical career took him from Southern California back to the place he loved, the Central Coast. He was adored and respected by
his many patients from San Miguel to Santa Maria.
Scott loved nature and being outdoors; he skied, surfed, and scuba-dived; also loved fishing, backpack- ing and sky diving. In Shell Beach he met his soulmate and the absolute love of his life, Nicolle Corcuera, RN. Deeply devoted to each other they were married in Tahiti and travelled extensively to Hawaii, Europe and Croatia.
An independent and vibrant personality, Scott was the joy of his family and close friends, his sense of humor was legendary and his gentle caring love will always shine in our hearts.

Virginia Bukowski '74 - May, 2023

Virginia Bukowski passed away on May 21, 2023, at 100 years, 9 months old. She died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Van Nuys, surrounded by family. She was born in Chicago in 1922. Her parents emigrated from Poland, married in 1914 and raised 4 sons and 2 daughters. She married 2nd Lt. Bernard Bukowski in Los Angeles in 1943, on his army leave. They moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1948, driving on Route 66. She bore 4 children (James, John, Nancy, Fred) before settling in Oxnard in 1957. After her divorce in 1967, she moved to Santa Barbara, raised her children as a single mom, and never remarried.
Virginia earned her BA in art history (`1974 + credential), worked at Dos Pueblos High School and in real estate. Returning to Los Angeles, she worked as a secretary for the UCLA School of Engineering. She kept her life busy with exercise, hiking, piano, and singing in the choirs of UCLA and her Catholic church. She took family camping trips to many National Parks. Following her 1991 UCLA retirement, she and her sister visited Spain on their own. She kept her mind and body always active, had the best sense of humor and the most beautiful smile. Now she sings with the angels.

Martin Arno '08 - October, 2022

Martin Arno '08 passed away suddenly on October 31, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Martin graduated from Modesto Junior College, the University of California Santa Barbara, and received an MA degree from University of Chicago. Martin was a scholar of religion in Mediterranean Antiquity. His dissertation, "Apostles Behaving Badly: Defending the Indefensible in Mediterranean Antiquity," traces how ancient writers sought to rehabilitate their traditions' founding heroes from accusations of damning moral failures.

Ida Rickborn '68 - September, 2022

Ida Rita Rickborn '68 has passed in the early morning of September 2, 2022. She fought a long and difficult battle with Parkinson’s disease. Through dedicated hard work she became a reading specialist, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent of schools for the Goleta Union School District.

Frank Olmos '77 - August, 2022

passed away peacefully on August 1, 2022. He was born in Dinuba, CA on October 28, 1954 to Fidel and Dolores Olmos.

Gary Rasmussen '71 - August, 2022

Gary Glenn Rasmussen, BA '68, Ph.D. '71, Clinical Psychologist, passed away on Aug. 25, 2022, at the Glenridge Hospice Comfort Care unit in Augusta. He graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara with a bachelors’ degree in sociology. He has worked for the past 40 years as a clinical psychologist in Waterville. Gary worked for several years as the psychologist in the psychiatric unit at Seton Hospital in Waterville. Gary continued his private practice providing counseling services and was also a forensic psychologist.

Mary Lou Hale Smitheram '77 - August, 2022

passed away peacefully at home on August 6, 2022 after a few years of declining health. She was 93 years old. She accomplished a long-term goal of receiving a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Spanish Literature from the University of California Santa Barbara. This accomplishment is especially noteworthy as Lou was a full-time working mother while completing the doctorate program.

Dr. Thomas E. Berndt '68 - July, 2022

passed away in his sleep at the age of 78. He graduated college at the University of California Santa Barbara, did his medical training at the University of California Irvine, and became a specialist in family medicine at UC Davis Sacramento Medical Center.

Delores Elaine Bonander '46 - July, 2022

died July 4th, 2022 at the age of 96. She was the first in her Swedish family to attend college and was the epitome of a life-long learner and educator. A 1946 graduate of UCSB at the Riviera campus in home economics, she later earned her MS in Michigan state. She worked for UC extension for many years as well as being a donor and participant in community service. Delores enjoyed travel and supporting family and among other contributions, wrote for local papers and taught classes on local television and helped create a cookbook for friends of the Kingsburg, Ca. Library--Food from the Homelands-Celebrating the cultural diversity and agricultural richness of the San Joaquin Valley. Her connection to UCSB continues through a great niece, 1988 alumni (who shared same middle and last name) grand nephews in law, and now a Great Grand Nephew class of 2024.

John Halcón '82 - July, 2022

died surrounded by his family on July 20, 2022 in San Marcos, CA. He was known as "Dr. John" or "Professor Halcón" who never missed an opportunity to promote education, diversity, equity, and community service.

William Henry Cunningham '52 - June, 2022

former Board member and loyal “Riviera” alum has passed away on June 24, 2022 in Hilton Head S.C. Born Dec 2, 1930.

William Arthur Forsberg '07 - June, 2022

has passed away in Kealakekua, Hawaii, on June 12, 2022. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and graduated with a degree in environmental sciences.

Judy Hay Pochini '53 - June, 2022

Judy Hay Pochini died peacefully in her home in Santa Barbara on June 21, 2022, after a short illness. She was 90 years old. She graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1949 and The University of California at Santa Barbara in 1953.

William Davison Kerrick '52 - June, 2022

has passed away on June 23, 2022. After military service he attended San Bernardino Valley College and Santa Barbara College of the University of California (now UC Santa Barbara), earning a bachelor's degree in Industrial Arts.

Thomas William McCloy '74 - June, 2022

of Woodland Hills, CA, passed away peacefully at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, on June 24, 2022. He received his Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1974.

Patricia D. Shoemaker '59 - June, 2022

has passed away at the age of 91.She met her husband, Dick, while attending the University of California, Santa Barbara. They married in 1951. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Fine Arts from Long Beach State College and a Master of Arts in Reading from United States International University.

Marilee Zazueta '60 - April, 2022

passed peacefully, April 4, 2022, with her children and husband at her side.

Rudy Aguilera '55 - January, 2022

passed away peacefully at home with Ann, his wife of 68 years, at his side. He was 88 years old.

Michael Warren '75 - January, 2022

launched the Positive Coaching Alliance program in Santa Barbara, where several coaches have gone through the training to learn how to motivate and hold the athletes accountable in a positive way.

Francis Cosmo Joseph Pizzulli '71 - December, 2021

completed his undergraduate work at UC Santa Barbara as a physics major with high honors and graduate work at the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law. He was awarded "Order of the Coif", Francis's work focused on research of bioethics issues and the impact of emerging technologies, genetics and cloning.

Virginia "Jinny" Cahill '67 - October, 2021

was an active member of the altar guild at the family's church, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, and in 1978 joined the staff at St. Andrew's Priory School in Honolulu, where she became a much-loved college counselor for junior and senior students. She opened her boutique "Forever Christmas" in 1993. In its first year of existence, the store was awarded New Business of the Year by the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Elsie Whittaker '47 - October, 2021

who served for many years as the co-chair of the Riviera Reunion, died Oct. 20 in Southern California. She was a member of the sorority that eventually evolved into the Pi Phis. Her major was music and she served on the Associated Students board as its secretary. She was known as the heart and soul of the Riviera Reunion, the reunion of alumni that attended college on the Riviera campus.