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Published on 09/22/1997 All articles from this issue

1967-77: Los Altos contributors to many facets of community life

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By Carol Tiegs / Town Crier Staff Writer

50 Who Made a Difference

The Town Crier continues its anniversary presentation of 10 individuals from each decade, beginning with our founding year, 1947, who have positively impacted the fabric of our community. Selections are based on staff opinion, research and community input. Given the dozens of individuals in every decade who have contributed so much to Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, we face some hard decisions in presenting our 10 per decade. We continue to welcome your suggestions for the decades ahead.

Following are our candidates for 1967-77:

Walter Chronert, long-time postmaster of Los Altos, served us as well as president of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce and the Los Altos Kiwanis Club. A scout master with Boy Scout Troop 479, he received Scouting's Silver Beaver Award. Chronert has been a force behind the Los Altos Pet Parade, Arts and Wine Festival and Festival of Lights, and active in Kiwanis activities. He was honored in 1978 by the Los Altos Board of Realtors with a community service award for "leadership and service to virtually every facet of the community."

Bob Grimm has also contributed to many facets of community life, serving as the city's mayor during more than eight years on the city council. He has volunteered for more than 20 years with United Way, volunteered his time to the Technology Center of Silicon Valley, and used his technical skills to help plan the annual Festival of Lights parade. He has served on the Vision 21 board, was active in forming the Los Altos Community Foundation, and with his wife, Marion, is an active contributor to History House. He has been honored with the San Jose Junior League's Alexis Volunteer Award and the Board of Realtors' Community Service Award. "He works tirelessly, usually in the background, but is a catalyst in getting things done," said Mary Jane Johnston of Los Altos.

Marion Jackston was an inspiration and driving force behind the Festival of Lights parade and Arts and Wine Festival, plus other downtown special events that focused on children. Every year she hosted needy families with children at her annual "Breakfast with Santa Claus." After the meal, she took the families to her store and outfitted the children - a Christmas present. She was honored with the 1980 Community Service Award for her "industrious and dedicated service."

Los Altos mayor and city councilman Harry Kallshian is recognized as well for being active in the community. With his articles in the Town Crier, said Mary Fullmer, "he was always challenging our thinking."

Lucille Liewer gave the community more than 35 years of volunteer service in the field of education, primarily through Girls State.

Her dedication "to the educational welfare of our youth" earned her the 1983 Community Service Award.

David Packard, along with his partner Bill Hewlett, has been described as "the first great example of Silicon Valley philanthropy." Los Altos has been a grateful recipient of funds from the David and Lucille Packard Foundation. Packard's business acumen, generosity and public service brought honor and recognition of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. Packard served as deputy defense secretary from 1969-71 and in the 1980s chaired the President's Commission on Defense Management. A national survey in 1989 rated him the nation's most admired living business figure.

Joe Salameda was the city's building inspector from 1953 to 1961.

He explained in an interview at the time of his retirement that he took the job because it was offered by "idealistic people who wanted to start a city. I liked that idea, so I joined them."

Salameda organized an informal "tree-planting bee" to plant more than 100 chestnut trees along Main and State streets.

He was instrumental in creating Shoup Park and helped start Garden House. One of the first members of the Los Altos Historical Society, he served for many years as its managing secretary.

Salameda wrote a pamphlet on "The Incorporation of the City of Los Altos," and penned many historical articles for the Town Crier.

He was a member of the Italian American Heritage Foundation and commander of American Legion Post 52.

Joe Schram has had a positive influence on the lives of thousands of kids through athletics, including 18 years of Little League, Pony League and Babe Ruth participation.

He has assisted the St. Francis High School athletic program for more than 25 years.

Schram has played an integral part in more than 125 St. Simon School championships in his years as the school's athletic director, basketball and baseball coach. He's also found time for Boy Scout work.

Doris "Tuck" Shepherd edited the Town Crier from 1970-85, encouraging a generation of journalists and holding the paper together through changes in ownership.

Mary Lou Zoglin was dedicated to growth and improvement of the community college system and quality education for young adults. She served as president of the board of trustees for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.

The Los Altos Board of Realtors honored her with a community service award in 1969 as "a concerned citizen who shared her dedication to education with the youth of our area."

Others we've recognized from previous decades include: (1947-57) Guy Shoup, David MacKenzie, Josephine Duveneck, Ardis Egan, Bill Powell, Christian Wilder, A. Watson Conner, Gardner Bullis, George Estill, Sr. and Sam Kahn; (1957-67) Roy Dunnett, Frank Duveneck, Jane Ladu Eustice, Audrey Fisher, Frank Furuichi, Jack Huston, LeRoy Kratzer, Lee Lynch, Roland Renshaw and Billy Russell.