Robert Alexander Hemmes
Robert Alexander Hemmes, one of the first Menlo Park residents to adopt and improve San Francisquito Creek, died peacefully in Sonoma March 21 after a series of illnesses. He was 81.Mr. Hemmes was best known locally after he retired and lived for 15 years on Creek Drive in Menlo Park. There he joined the late Ira Bonde, gardening guru Albert Wilson, and other neighbors in trying to clean and preserve the creek. Their efforts took root and have grown through the years into the Watershed Council and Joint Powers Authority for the creek.
“He was one of the key people who pumped up the early effort to improve the creek as a community resource,” wrote Jim Johnson, the creek’s former streamkeeper, from his retirement in India.
Mr. Hemmes grew up in Los Angeles. He attended Cal Tech and later graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. He earned a master’s degree degree from MIT, and a Ph.D. from Stanford in industrial engineering, with focus on fluid dynamics, programming, budgeting and decision-making.
Mr. Hemmes taught these subjects at several universities, including George Washington and Stanford, according to his wife, Adelaide Gore.
After living in Menlo Park between 1965 and 1969, Ms. Gore said, Mr. Hemmes went to Washington, D.C., where he was assistant administrator for research, demonstration and development at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In Washington, Mr. Hemmes helped develop futuristic transportation projects, such as dial-a-ride systems for the elderly and handicapped, people movers, and air-cushioned rail cars. He also helped BART fix its computers.
Retiring to Menlo Park in 1985, Mr. Hemmes was known to neighbors as a bright man with a great sense of humor who was interested in many things, and kept dogs.
Neighbor Phyllis Van De Mark remembers Mr. Hemmes had an old dog he used to walk around the neighborhood in a baby carriage. “He was just a very nice person,” she said.
Living on Creek Drive in 1985, Ms. Gore said, they found the homeless living in and around the creek created troubles for the creek and the neighbors, Ms. Gore recalled. “They polluted the creek. It really was a big problem,” she said.
The Hemmes sold their Menlo Park house about 1999 and moved to Sonoma. “He missed Menlo Park desperately,” Ms. Gore said.
Mr. Hemmes is survived by Ms. Gore, daughter Linda Griffith of Los Angeles, daughter Keira Alexandra of Brooklyn, son Robert Hemmes Jr. of Baltimore, and two grandsons.
The family plans a private celebration. They suggest donations to: San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority, City of Palo Alto, 250 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto CA 94301.
Robert H. Reinhart
Robert H. Reinhart, a longtime Menlo Park resident, died peacefully at home March 17 after a lengthy illness. He was 84.Mr. Reinhart was born in Pittsburg, California, and grew up in Oakland, spending summers at the family ranch in Tehama County.
His studies at Stanford University were interrupted by service in World War II. He graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, and served aboard tankers before transferring to the Naval Submarine Service.
He completed his studies at Stanford in 1950 and worked at SRI International for 30 years, retiring in 1986 as a senior facilities engineer. He spent many enjoyable moments in the following years at his cabin in British Columbia, say family members.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth of Menlo Park; and his children, Mark of Chico, Rodger of Pescadero, Ann of Los Angeles, and their families.
He was buried in Graves Cemetery near Orland, California. The family suggests any remembrance be made to Pathways Hospice Foundation, 585 N. Mary Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085-2905.
Sam Lugonja
Sam A. Lugonja, who taught at Menlo-Atherton High School and started its wrestling and cross country track programs, died March 10 at age 88.Mr. Lugonja was born in Butte, Montana, and grew up in Sutter Creek. During World War II, he served in the Pacific and took part in two major campaigns. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
He graduated from San Jose State University, where he received a teaching credential and master’s degree. It was there that he met his future wife, Lois Rowe.
After leaving Menlo-Atherton High, Mr. Lugonja taught creative writing and coached football and golf at Pioneer High School in San Jose.
Mr. Lugonja excelled in sports and enjoyed golf, fishing, skiing and traveling, say family members. He lived in Los Altos Hills for many years and retired to Lake Tahoe in 1999.
Memorial services have been held.
Brian Knapp Skala
Former Menlo Park resident Brian Knapp Skala of Las Vegas died March 20. He was 49.Mr. Skala was born in Palo Alto and grew up in Menlo Park, attending St. Raymond School and Menlo-Atherton High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1974 to 1978.
In 1979, he joined the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, retiring in 1998 as a detective in the general assignment detail.
Mr. Skala is survived by his parents, George and Valerie Knapp of Menlo Park and Anita and Don Farrell of Florence, Oregon; his former wife, Donna Madl Davenport of Tecumseh, Kansas; and stepdaughter Danielle Boehme Schultz of Ashland, Kentucky.
Interment was to be in Topeka, Kansas. Memorial donations may be made to: Critter Care, P.O. Box 67341, Topeka, Kansas 66667-0341; or the Injured Police Officers Fund, 201 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Suite 200, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101.
Ellen Persson
Ellen Persson, who lived in Menlo Park for 48 years, died March 24. She was 93.Ms. Persson was born in San Francisco. A homemaker and avid gardener, she moved to Menlo Park with her husband, Bill Persson, who died in 1972.
Until recently, she enjoyed taking walks around the neighborhood. Ms. Persson, who had no children of her own, “loved children and they loved her,” says her friend, Dorothy Baron.
She was a former member and volunteer at Little House.
At her request, no services will be held. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity.
Change of plans: Research campus to leave Menlo Park, make way for more housingJune 12, 2026 6:46 pm