A Glimpse in their Lives
1999 Honorees
Gazing at the view from his rooftop apartment, Alan Henderson can almost see a little bit of himself. He leans over the railing and looks out across the roofs at the lush foothills that form the western horizon. "It's always quite gratifying to look at those hills and to know that you had something to do with keeping them green," he confesses.
It's an understatement characteristic of Henderson. During his years on the Palo Alto City Council--from 1971 to 1975 and from 1977 to 1981, the last 2 1/2 of which he served as mayor--Henderson was a strong champion of the environment. His legacy includes the city's open space ordinance to preserve the foothills, rezoning bay lands to open space, a 50-foot height limit on downtown buildings, the opening of the city's recycling center, the first ordinance regulating smoking in theaters, the |
An old cliche tells us that some people make things happen, some people watch what's happening--and the rest of the people don't know what's happening. Let there be no question: Joan Lane is in the first group.
Lane is always a player in life, never a spectator. Becoming acquainted with her and sensing her special qualities is indeed an enriching experience. Not only is she an active participant in issues she considers important, but the sheer breadth of issues and volunteer activities she's involved in can take one's breath away. Lane's principal public involvement is as special assistant to the Stanford University board of trustees, a position she has held since September 1992. In this role, she works directly with President Gerhard Casper. Before that, she held an identical position with the dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences for 11 years. |
It is hard not to be impressed when talking with George Paddleford. Perhaps that is because you feel like you're in the presence of local history.
Paddleford arrived in the Palo Alto area in 1925 as an undergraduate at Stanford University and has remained in the area almost ever since. Now 90, he has not only witnessed the considerable change in the area over the past quarter-century but also contributed to it through his interest in business and fund-raising for charity. In 1935, Paddleford purchased the Cadillac-Oldsmobile car dealership in Palo Alto, which he proceeded to build into a successful enterprise that emphasized integrity, service to the customer and respect and consideration for his employees. |
Interstate 15 stretches like a concrete tentacle past the Caribou National Forest of southeastern Idaho on its way to Salt Lake City. Thirty miles south of Pocatello, to the west of the trunk road, lies Robin (population 100), where in 1928 Jack Wheatley was born.
It was in this settlement too insignificant to qualify for freeway mention that Wheatley learned the values of work, faith and service that would later distinguish him as a Palo Alto City Council member and mayor; as a leader of community organizations ranging from Stanford University Hospital to San Jose's Tech Museum; and as a devoted member of the Mormon Church. Wheatley's father, the eldest son of seven and his family's breadwinner since the age of 12, had left school after fifth grade to become a farmer. Wheatley's mother, by the standards of the day, was well-educated, having completed "academy," as high schools were then known. Both were |
Although it has been many years since Louise Curtis left her native Virginia, one can still detect a Southern accent when she speaks. Another hint of her Southern origin is her love of telling stories; questions lead to tales. More obvious is her charm, wit and gracious manner, which have formed the foundation for her considerable skills and accomplishments as a fund-raiser and volunteer.
Curtis is "generous with heart, hand and time," says Lois O'Brien of the Garden Club of Palo Alto. "She is our star-gatherer, our idea-sparkler, and she makes everyone stretch for the dream ahead." As O'Brien's fellow members said in 1992, when they presented Curtis with a lifetime membership in the club, she is an "all-time, world-class, fund-raiser extraordinaire." Curtis was born in Alexandria, Va., just outside |
Before you even reach the door of Marguerite Anderson's home, you've learned many things about this extraordinary woman. She's proud to be a homemaker, and you can't miss the care she lavishes on the lovely home she shares in Palo Alto with her husband of many years, Horace. The home's garden, too, speaks volumes about her. A serene spot amid the bustle of a busy Palo Alto street, it prepares you for Anderson's grace and calm self-assurance. The Anderson garden is organized, lovingly tended and, like Marguerite, unique.
Anderson was born in Urbana, Ohio, where she graduated from Urbana High School. After several years of wartime work with the U.S. government, she realized a childhood dream of owning a gift shop. Horace became intrigued with |