Robert Cal Ruha was born February 22,1955 to Cal and Ines Ruha. He attended Napa schools and graduated from Napa High in 1973. He went on to U.C. Fullerton and graduated with a degree in accounting. Later he worked for an oil company in Saudi Arabia as one of their accountants. He was also an Air Force veteran. He lived in Sonoma County until his death from cancer.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, a nephew and 2 Brothers-in-law. He is survived by his sisters Carol Abeel, Barbara Hudelson (Tim), Linda Ghisletta, 1 niece, 4 nephews, 2 Aunts and many cousins.
Maria M. Rubio, 18, died Tuesday at her home. A native of Napa, born on July 23, 1955, Miss Rubio was a 1973 graduate of Napa High School. She had been employed at the Pacific Telephone Company for the past year as an operator. Miss Rubio is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vincente Rubio of Napa; two sisters, Emily K. and Maria A. both of Napa; four brothers, Roberto, Ignasio, Vincent, and Phillip all of Napa; a grandmother, Christina G. Rubio of Mexico. Numerous aunts and uncles also survive. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial was held April 26, 1974 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church under the direction of Claffey and Rota Funeral Home. Internment was at Tulocay Cemetery.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Alexander (“Alex”) Roman Reynoso, beloved husband, father, brother and uncle. Surrounded by his loving family, Alex passed away – far too soon – on March 4, 2022, from cancer.
Born in Albany, California on July 16, 1955, the third child of Dario and Elodia Reynoso, Alex lived in Albany and Oakland until 1964, when the family moved to Napa. He was at heart a Napa native, attending Shearer Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School, and Napa High.
While working at a gas station, he attended Napa Valley College, where he thrived in math and science courses. He was accepted at U.C. Santa Cruz, earning a B.S. in Biology, while also making many friends, playing club tennis, and meeting the love of his life, Jean (née Olague) Reynoso. They married in March 1980, while both were still students, and remained happily married for 42 years.
They moved to San Diego in 1981 where Alex attended U.C. San Diego Medical School, and there, welcomed their first child, Anna. Alex so loved being a father that when he graduated in 1985, he carried Anna in his arms while he received his diploma. As a first generation Mexican-American, he was proud to achieve his parents’ life-long dream of having a doctor in the family.
Alex then did a three year residency in Family Medicine at Kern Medical Center. In 1988, he joined Kaiser Permanente Vallejo in Family Practice; that same year his son David was born. After caring for many long-term patients who loved and respected him, Alex retired from Kaiser in 2015. His name is engraved on a brick outside Kaiser Vallejo.
Alex dearly loved, and was loved by, his family. He loved nothing more than to entertain them with his wild stories. His house was the center of life for the extended family of the Reynosos and their friends. They gathered there on the weekends to eat and watch tennis or, his favorite, Raiders football. Sometimes, they just stopped by because being around Alex was fun. He made you laugh and made you happy.
Alex had several hobbies and interests: sports (particularly the Raiders), music, and camping at Donner Lake. But tennis was his passion. As a young child, he learned to play tennis from his father Dario. Alex and his brother John were tennis-doubles partners, and over the last 45 years played in local and regional tennis tournaments, winning many but always having fun and eager to play more. Alex also played on the Napa Valley Tennis Association’s over 55, 7.0 tennis team, which played against other regional teams in an invitational tournament in Surprise, Arizona.
Alex had two “shrines” in his family room. The first was to the Beatles, whose lyrics he knew by heart and played on his guitar. The second was to the Raiders, whose games and tailgates he attended in Oakland.
We have many fond memories of family camping trips at Donner Lake, which Alex planned every summer around his birthday. There, he brought the extended family together to fish, explore and sit around the campfire listening to his stories.
Alex and Jean were long-time active members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. They participated in many church activities and their children attended elementary school there.
Above all else, Alex loved being a husband and father. He and Jean had one of the happiest marriages, making each other laugh every day, just as in love in their sixties as they were in their twenties. He always encouraged his children to follow their dreams and explore their passions. He and Anna loved watching sports, discussing current events and caring for animals. He and David loved long talks about anything and everything, listening to records, and brewing beer. He also loved his dogs, Elvira, Dewey, Tootsie and Ruby.
Preceding Alex in death were his parents, Dario and Elodia Reynoso and his beloved nephew Aaron Paddock. Surviving Alex are his wife Jean and children Anna and David Reynoso; his siblings Clara Willis (Steve), Victor Reynoso, Sarah Reynoso-Palley (Mark), John (Kristy) Reynoso; and many nieces, nephews, and their children.
A Rosary was held at Claffey & Rota on March 29, 2022, with funeral services at St. John the Baptist Church on March 30, 2022.
Services for Deborah Ann Peterson were held December 4, 1987 at Richard Pierce Funeral Service, with the Reverend John Mortensen officiating. Internment was at Tulocay Cemetery.
Napa County sheriff’s officials have identified a passenger who was killed in a vehicle crash Saturday on state Highway 29 north of Napa as 59-year-old George Horvath.
Horvath, a Napa resident, was the right front passenger in a 1998 Chevrolet Prizm that was traveling north on Highway 29 south of Darms Lane around 5:20 a.m. Saturday, California Highway Patrol Officer Anna Paulson said.
The Prizm driven by a 46-year-old Fairfield man was struck by a 2005 Ford F-150 truck that was traveling south on Highway 29, Paulson said.
The Ford driver, Natosha Gutheridge, 23, of Napa, struck the concrete center divide and crossed into the northbound lanes of the highway, Paulson said.
The Ford then struck a guardrail on the east side of the highway, causing the rear of the truck to briefly rise in the air and land on the right front passenger area of the oncoming Prizm, Paulson said.
Horvath was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Prizm driver and Gutheridge suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, Paulson said.
Gutheridge was booked into Napa County Jail on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter.
The collision blocked the northbound lanes of Highway 29 for more than three hours, according to the CHP.
Douglas Lee Kirk, Also known as Papa, Grumpa, Daddy Doug, Uncle Poogie, and Cousin to name a few. Passed away on October 12th, 2020 surrounded by family and friends. Doug was born to Wanda and Bufford Kirk on February 10th, 1955. He lived in Napa his 65 years of life.
Doug wore many hats over the years. From Surgical tech to Pepsi cola as a driver then district manager. He then changed course and went on to learn the painting trade with Dean’s Painting. With his will to learn and desire to do more he went on to get his contractor’s license and Doug’s painting was developed.
Doug loved camping, boating with family and friends, fishing at Hat Creek, rolling dice at the Moose, Nascar, football, spending time at the family ranch, and especially riding his Harley with his long time buddies.
He belonged to the Native Sons and Napa Moose Lodge. As the past governor, he spent many hours at the Moose which was like a second family. No one was ever a stranger to Doug. He would stop and talk to anyone and everyone.
He is survived by Angela Joan Kirk, his wife of 43 years. His two children Cameron Kirk (Linnea) and Kaylynn Francisco (Derick), Leanne McDowell (Dan) who is like a second daughter. Six grandchildren; Taylor, Emma, Sierra, Adaleigh, Svea, and Austin. His brother Garry Kirk and sister Linda Hovis and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased in death by his parents Bufford and Wanda, brother Larry Kirk, niece Deanna Ludaescher, and his little buddy Harley Monster. He was a wonderful man who was loved by many. He will be greatly missed.
Services were held at Napa Valley Memorial park/Treadway and Wigger on Saturday November 21, 2020.
Robert Stephen Hopkins Sr., 37, died unexpectedly Tuesday at his home.
Mr. Hopkins was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on August 22, 1953 to Anthony W. and Emily (Buettner) Hopkins. He was raised and educated in Erie until 1963 when the family moved to Napa.
From 1973 to 1975 he served in the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge, Mr. Hopkins returned to Napa. He was employed at Gelow’s Exxon Service Station on Redwood Road.
Mr. Hopkins is survived by his daughter, Brenda Marie Hopkins of Oroville; his son, Robert Stephen Jr. of Butte County; his mother and stepfather, Emily and Derl Sandwick of Napa; two sisters, Sandra Marie Riley of Vallejo and Romona Kay Cronk of Cotati; two brothers, Anthony Wayne Jr. and Keith Edward Sr., both of Napa; and numerous nieces and nephews. His father passed away in 1979.
Robert’s funeral service was held October 9 at Richard Pierce Funeral Service. Interment was at Skyview Memorial Lawn in Vallejo.
My big brother Mitch died October 8, 2019 at the age of 64. He was born and raised in Napa, graduated NHS 1973, and earned a BS in Biology from Sacramento State in 2000. He will be remembered in a way unique to each person who ever knew him. Through several conversations over the past 15 years, I will remember him as: the proudest father on the planet of his three sons, the giddiest grampa ever for his granddaughter, and the most opinionated curmudgeon to trudge among us. All this, and a SF Giants fan to the end! During his many years in Sacramento, Chuck (as he was known there) enjoyed attending Giants games with his friend Percy and exchanging riveting banter which his friend and neighbor Rick. And always, through thick and thin, his very good longtime buddy Ray was there for the nearly everyday phone call to shoot the breeze. My brother once confided in me that he hoped in the long run that he had done right by his family and close friends. He had trouble expressing this endearment to those who needed to hear it most; perhaps, the sentiment will linger for awhile as we remember him, each in his/her own way. Mitch was predeceased by our parents, Jackie D. Henderson and Charles W. “Bill” Henderson. He is survived by his sons Charles Benjamin (wife Linea and their daughter Naomi), Charles Zachary (wife Tanisha), and Charles Joseph Henderson; his brother Tracy Henderson (wife Tori and their son Ross), myself, his sister Cassi (husband Don Tynan) and several cousins. Inurnment was at Tulocay. Brother, go to where the air is cool and your tread is light: this is the Peace you seek to rest your weary head in the forever evening.
Patricia Ann Hard, a native of Napa, died Sunday following a lengthy illness. Miss Hard was born in Parks Victory Hospital November 8, 1955. She graduated from Napa High School and Napa College and attended Chico State University. She enjoyed all outdoor sports, especially snow and water skiing. She loved swimming and taught it for several years at the local junior high schools. Survivors include her parents, Robert and Beverly of Napa; her sister, Kathryn of Napa; her brother James who is a school teacher in Missoula, Montana; two grandmothers, Adeline Cummings of Vallejo and Dorothy Bearden of Palmdale; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. At the request of Miss Hard, no services were held.
