Harold Harby died at his home in Kelseyville, Calif., on Friday, October 8, 2010. He was 92 years old. Courtesy photo.

Harold D. Harby passed away in his home in Riviera West on Oct. 8, 2010, from natural causes and surrounded by family.

Harold is survived by daughters, Nancy and Melanie Harby; son-in-law, Roy Zimmerman; grandchildren, Kelly and Curt Winchester, Jonathan Brockway, Travis and Rita Dunn, and Joseph and Samuel Zimmerman. He also is survived by his brother Stoney Harby and his nephew Gregory Reinhardt.

Harold was married for 31 years to his beloved wife, Margie Harby, who passed away in 1986.

Harold was born in Los Angeles, two months before the end of World War I, and was equally proud of his Norwegian, English and Native American roots.

Valedictorian of his high school class, he graduated at the depth of the Great Depression. He attended the US Military Academy Prep School at Fort Winfield Scott in San Francisco's Presidio where he watched the building of the Golden Gate Bridge. He then joined the U.S. Weather Bureau and traveled the western United States, working in the territory of Alaska when World War II broke out.

Harold returned to LA to work as an aircraft jig builder at North American Aviation. He then worked on one of the most famous airplanes ever built, Howard Hughes’s Hercules, commonly known as the “Spruce Goose.” During the war, Harold enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant flying B-17s and B-24s. He was also recognized as an expert marksman.

In 1952, he was an alternate to the Democratic National Convention. He also worked on political campaigns for his father, Harold Harby, who was Los Angeles City Councilman from the 1930s through the 1950s.

Harold found his life's calling when he went to work for the city of Los Angeles as a surveyor. He worked 33 years for the city and retired as survey supervisor for all of Los Angeles. Harold worked primarily in West LA and liked to say that he surveyed every inch of Sunset Boulevard. He developed a new technique to survey LA's ever-shifting beachfront from Malibu south to the LA Harbor. One of Harold's favorite projects was the expansion of LAX, and he personally surveyed many of its runways.

Harold's friends and family fondly remember him as an avid reader and Mensa member. He was a birder, naturalist and conservationist. He loved music, particularly Country Western and Big Band. Harold was a past master of his Masonic Lodge.

Harold resided here in Lake County for 25 years. He served as president of the Riviera West Homeowners' Associaton and as president of its water board. He also did a turn on the Lake County Grand Jury. Harold was an active member of the Clearlake State Park Interpretive Association and was docent at the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association where he twice served as Santa Claus at Christmas. He was a leading force in the effort to save the Grigsby Riffle.

Rather than having a memorial service, Harold's friends and family celebrated his life with him last month on his 92nd birthday.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Lake County Hospice or give the gift of life by donating blood.

James Freyslaben enjoying time at the beach. Photo courtesy of Linda Freyslaben.

He was surrounded by family, including Linda, his beloved wife of only 23 months; his daughter Courtney McCans; and son and “buddy,” Kevin McCans.

Jim was born on March 20, 1948, in San Francisco, where he was raised.

James and Linda Freyslaben were married 23 months before his death in December 2009. Photo courtesy of Linda Freyslaben.

In 1966 he graduated from George Washington High School. Later, he worked for Pacific Orient for many years.

He moved to Lake County 2004 from Napa where he worked in restaurant management for nearly 20 years. His family is currently working on establishing a scholarship in his name for student pursuing restaurant management.

Once in Lake County Jim worked as security at Robinson Rancheria for four years and one year in the vault. He had many friends and acquaintances both at Robinson Rancheria and in Kelseyville.

Survivors include wife, Linda; sons, Kevin McCans and Kyle McCans; daughter, Courtney McCans; and stepson, Sean Gay of Upper Lake.

The family thanked two outstanding oncologists who helped Jim in his final years, Mark Turrill and Jay Joseph.

Donations in Jim's memory can be made to the National Brain Tumor Foundation, www.braintumor.org/.\

The couple met after he came to Lake County. Photo courtesy of Linda Freyslaben.

Once in a Lifetime

Once upon a time,

A man fell in love with a woman

He gave his heart to her,

fully and unconditionally.

She returned that love passionately

and protected that love fiercely

Theirs was a love story for the ages

They loved without boundries

by just sharing a glance,

They danced in the moonlight

as he sang long forgotten love songs.

Then he was gone forever and her love for him endures.

The pain and tears your death has brought,

are reminders of how great my love was for you.

You have not left me

but wait for me

waiting to make our eternity

heavenly.

Whisper to me now my love,

use the wind as your voice.

The day we are reunited

I will be the one singing

as we dance in the moonlight.

– Linda Freyslaben

James and Linda Freyslaben. Photo courtesy of Linda Freyslaben.

The Comfort and Sweetness of Peace

After the clouds, the sunshine

after the winter, the spring.

after the shower, the rainbow,

life is a changeable thing.

After the night, the morning

bidding all darkness cease.

after life's cares and sorrows,

the comfort and sweetness of peace.

– Helen Steiner Rice

James Freyslaben's family is establishing a scholarship in his name for student pursuing restaurant management, an industry in which he worked for 20 years. Photo courtesy of Linda Freyslaben.

Rebecca Rosenthal, age 18, died on September 14, 2010. Courtesy photo.

On Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010, Rebecca Christine Rosenthal drifted away in peace, leaving behind her burden of earthly troubles. She now soars with the angels.

Rebecca was born on Oct. 3, 1991 in Auburn, Calif. She came into the world with a twin, her brother, Russell.

This young lady lived life with intensity. At age 5, Rebecca started backpacking with her family and bagged her first of several 10,000 foot peaks. At age 9, she was the youngest player to make the first cut on the under 12 traveling soccer team. At age 10, she was comfortably shooting three pointers on the basketball court.

She attended Cobb Elementary school throughout her elementary years starting with kindergarten; she continued with the Middletown School System through Middle School and attended Middletown High School for her freshman year before leaving Lake County.

During high school, she ran cross country in the fall and was a member of the track team in the spring. In addition to her natural athletic ability, Rebecca was creative, insightful and intelligent. For a number of years Rebecca played the violin. She was an active thespian and participated in the high school debate club.

She loved meeting new people and going to new places, and she relished new experiences.

Rebecca had a profound love of learning. She excelled academically in all classes, especially in math. At the time of her passing, she was a student at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento.

She had an interest in a number of career paths, including teaching math and social work. The common thread in all of her possible choices was helping other people. As time permitted, Rebecca volunteered with a variety of senior citizen centers.

Rebecca touched so many people during her short journey in this life. She was a delightful and engaging person, with seemingly endless stores of charm, charisma, energy and determination. Rebecca had endless potential.

Rebecca leaves behind her twin brother, Russell Rosenthal, and her parents, Monica and David Rosenthal of Middletown, Calif., her grandparents, Janet and Pat Rosenthal of Middletown, Calif., and Anna and John Penic of Porterville, Calif., her half sister, Anna Ntifi, of Minneapolis, Minn., and a large number of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, both of biological and adoptive relation. All will miss her intensely and remember her forever.

A celebration of Rebecca’s life will held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 14970 Lakeview Way, Clearlake, Calif.

The memorial service will be immediately followed by a lunch. Afterwards, all are invited to continue the “celebration of life” at the Rosenthal home in Middletown.

Donations in Rebecca’s name can be made to Redwood Children’s Services Inc. at 14130 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, CA 95422.

“In one of the stars I shall be living… in one of them I shall be laughing”

Ryan Depp died on Sept. 22, 2010. He was 16 years old. Courtesy photo.

Ryan Patrick Depp, 16, died of unexpected natural causes on Sept. 22, 2010 in Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.

He is survived by his mother, Glenda Pyzer (Russ); father, Rich Depp (Julie); brothers, Jeremy Depp (SueZann) and Sean Depp; sisters, Shawndre Depp (Jay), Kaitie Depp, Annabel Pyzer and Breanna Pyzer; grandparents, Jan Beebout, Harry Depp, Ken and Diane Staudinger, and Lenard and Rose Pyzer; 11 aunts; 13 uncles; 28 cousins; three nephews; godparents, Leslie Adams and Larry Sark; and numerous other family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Ed Beebout; and grandmother, Mary Depp.

Ryan was born on March 17, 1994 in Santa Rosa, Calif. He was always athletic, playing baseball and football, but his great passion was basketball. He was gifted on the court and an absolute joy to watch.

Ryan, although only 16, was wise beyond his years. He had many friends in Santa Rosa and Lake County. His friends were from all walks of life, and he loved them all unconditionally. He did not judge others, instead, he managed to see directly into their hearts and find the good in everyone he met.

He is known for reaching out to others, being kind to everyone he met, accepting people for who they were, lending a caring ear when needed, warm hugs, his “million dollar smile” which lit up the room, and his love, loyalty and devotion to his family – an unbelievable legacy for a 16 year old to leave behind!

Our hearts ache for this sudden and painful loss. We all love Ryan with all of our hearts and miss him terribly. We are all blessed, and better people, for having Ryan in our lives to love, and to be loved by.

A memorial service will be held at the Resurrection Parish Church located at 303 Stony Point Road (corner of Stony Point Road and W. Third Street) in Santa Rosa on Oct. 15 at 3 p.m.

With open hearts, we invite all who would like to attend.

In lieu of flowers, our family would greatly appreciate donations being sent to Camp For A Cure, which is a local baseball camp run by Ryan’s Aunt and Uncle. All proceeds go to The American Cancer Society, Lupus Foundation of America and The American Diabetes Association, www.campforacure.org.

Checks can be mailed “In honor of Ryan Depp” to P.O. Box 2623 Rohnert Park, CA 94927.

Ryan's family entrusted arrangements to Jones Mortuary, Lakeport, California, www.JonesMortuary.com .

The event will take place at 1 p.m. at Zino's Ristorante on the shore of Clear Lake, located at 6330 Soda Bay Road.

Parking is available at Zino's, and at Ferndale Resort next door. Please carpool if possible, as parking is limited.

Lodging for out of town guests will be available at the Soda Bay Inn, , 707-279-4722; Ferndale Resort, 707-279-4866; and the Edgewater Resort, 707-279-0208, all within walking distance.

Please call ahead for reservations, and mention that you are attending the celebration.

Donations can be mailed to Umpqua Bank, where an account has been established in his name. Please put account number 991992488 on check donations.

They look forward to sharing memories of this man who touched so many lives, and who will be deeply missed.

Leander H. “Pete” Peterson, aka “Gunky”, passed away peacefully on Sept. 6, 2010 at his home in Lucerne, Calif.

Pete was well liked by all who knew him and had been a local businessman and resident of the community of Lucerne off and on since 1947.

He was a school psychologist in Lake County, Marin County and Butte County. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, and will be greatly missed.

After serving as a quartermaster in the Navy during World War II, he joined his mother and father in Lucerne where they built the Beachcomber Resort in 1947, where it still stands today.

Enduring several devastating floods, the beautiful location was always a draw to him, his family and many friends who came from as far away as Germany and Europe to visit the resort.

Pete was preceded in death by his beloved wife Dora ”Jean” Peterson. He is survived by daughter Dianne Bevers and husband Terry in Discovery Bay, son Bill Peterson and wife Jeanne in Red Bluff, daughter Tina Fincher and husband Cody in Lucerne, son Leonard Peterson and wife Paulette in Camarillo; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and last but always loved, his pal, Viking, his black Labrador retriever.

A celebration of Pete’s life is being planned and notifications forthcoming. Services are courtesy of Jones and Lewis Mortuary of Lakeport.

In lieu of flowers, Pete wanted donations to be made in his name to the American Cancer Society and Hospice Services of Lake County.