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People we remember
Biographies are where we share about family & friends to connect with others who remember them.
Pam Marks:
Frank was an entrepreneur and businessman. He had a good start early on in his career working for General Mills.
Note from Kathy Pinna - When my father graduated from San Jose State, he was sent a few telegrams offering him a job. I don't have the telegrams but I've seen them.
In any case, I was told that he was weighing an offer from San Jose State to be a professor (in the philosophy dept?) and also from General Mills. He went to work for General Mills in their corporate office in San Francisco, as a buyer for the west coast.
Per an article in the San Francisco Examiner, Saturday, December 22, 1956:
"Here are the results of the course, which holds its last session next week:
One man, Frank E. Kroetch, an ingredient buyer for General Mills, has his reading speed up to 988 words per minute. That means he would be able to read better than two columns of this length in less than a minute.
The average reading speed of the men when they started this course was about 250 words a minute. They have boosted the average to 360 words per minute now.
Robert Conlin, the man who suggested the course and got $25 for the idea, started the sessions and then dropped out. Reason: He got promoted to general flour salesman midway through the course and had to concentrate on his new duties."
My mother, sister, and I used to take him to the train in Sunnyvale every day - we lived in Cupertino at the time and it was the fastest and easiest way for him to commute. As I recall, he worked there for a few years and I was told that he was the fastest rising executive at the time. He rose to the grain manager for the West Coast in that short time and he was told that no one had ever been promoted so quickly. They said that he would be president of General Mills within 20 years.
Well, Dad thought that 20 years was too far away so he quit! My memory of those days were the perks - we were sent "food baskets", in those days food boxes of General Mills products and we were able to purchase General Mills products through a employee catalogue. I saved up my allowance - I was about 8 and it was 10 cents a week - to buy a Tiny Tears doll. I loved it when he worked at General Mills.
He had a very sharp mind and knew how to see possibilities and opportunities in front of him. As a result, he was involved in numerous industries and owned many businesses over the years.
In 1960 he was the President of his company, Data Services Corporation.
In 1961, he and his brother Fred were supporters of a new magazine to be called "Northwest" that would use color photos to promote Washington tourism.
Frank also started a car rental service called "Letz Rent-a Car" in the early 1960's
He had a business in Idaho, owning a lodge at Coeur 'd Alene and was involved in many California businesses:
President of Golden Bear Land Company in Salinas (incorporated in Nevada)
Western Inns, Incorporated
Travel Lodge in San Jose
Several 'fast-food' restaurants
Later in life, he owned a few restaurants in Washington State.
Frank was also an author - having written a few short stories, one of which was a science fiction take on The Night Before Christmas.
(Note from Kathy: Dad always wanted to be a writer. He would write on yellow legal pads - remember, this was the 1950s and 1960s - and started books on such things as his theory about who the "real" Shakespeare was. My theory is that he just couldn't sit still long enough to write an entire book. But there were lots of starts on books. He also wanted to be a lawyer and even applied to - and was accepted by - San Francisco University Law School. We ended up moving to Seattle, however, and he never went to law school.)
Eddy Rodriguez:
"Unbelievable what that poor girl went through my condolence to the family it absolutely incredible what devastated me for such a strong girl to be 4 days in the wilderness could have got ate alive by animals in the cold to survive and eventually die going to see her grandma God Rest her soul in peace she deserved better in this here life and a good man and kids and family rest in peace amen"
Matthew Vianna:
My safe place - No one might ever see this because it’s been a long time since your passing. I knew you as Marge and I was just a child but I always came by to visit you on Somerset Drive. You were my safe place if my parents weren’t getting along. Thank you for all that you’ve ever done for me. I will never forget. If I remember correctly you had a dog and a little parrot. You had these little red candies with the strawberry wrappers that I loved so much and the old style marshmallow mints. You were always so amazing and when I heard about your passing I was completely devastated. I am happy to come across a space to share my memories with you and anyone that might be left in your family. I will be looking for your burial place sometime soon. Hope you’re resting easy my sweet angel.
Deanna Hellmueller:
The flying Dutchman - Bert was a race car driver, mostly on dirt tracks. Bert told my father (his nephew) that he made his race car 4-wheel drive and he had to purposely lose some races so they didn't ban him from racing ... he said he could win every race with the airplane engine and 4-wheel drive race car.
Dana Poplees:
Relative? - I’m looking for my great grandfather’s siblings
Stephen Andrew Poplees.
It seems he changed his name around 1917 when he entered World War I draft
Popolizzo.
It’s pretty horrible how on every document the name is spelled differently
I’m assuming he has some siblings that we don’t know about
Parrie Powell:
Katherine Speights grand daughter "Parrie" - My grandma Katherine was God fearing, kind, loving, very firm and straight forward. I loved her strength, wisdom, and courage. She taught me to always keep God first, be honest, straight forward, and always stand firm on my word and beliefs. I am her son, Harry Speights' daughter. I was named after my grandma Katherine's sister "Parrie" which was my great aunt. I love and miss my grandma Katherine very much and wish she were here to see the current generation of grandchildren.
Parrie M. Powell, born March 7, 1967
This was written April 26, 2025
Age-58
James Calhoun:
In Loving Memory of my mother… - It’s hard to find the right words for someone who gave so much of herself to others. My mother had a way of making people feel seen, heard, and cared for—often before they even knew they needed it. Her strength was quiet but constant, and her kindness never wavered, even during her own hardest days.
She had a generous heart, a sharp wit, and a gift for lifting others up. She was proud of her family, loyal to her friends, and graceful in all things.
Though she’s no longer with us, her love lives on in the lives she touched. I miss her deeply, but I carry her with me every day.
Sabrina Lane:
My grandfather's aunt - My papa told me stories about his Aunt Clara babysitting him when he was a young boy. Aunt Clara was blind and the family checked on her, but she was very independent. Her walls had the wallpaper worn down in a line from walking with her hands along them, and when her groceries were put away everything was in the same place so she could find exactly what she needed. She was loving and gentle with my papa when she watched him.
