Page 2 July 14, 2016 EL SEGUNDO HERALD OFFICE SPACES in all SIZES A L O N G T H E R O S E C R A N S C O R R I D O R I N E L S E G U N D O / M A N H AT TA N B E A C H CONTINENTAL PARK A project of CONTINENTAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 2041 Rosecrans Ave., El Segundo, CA 90245 • Amenity Rich Location • Convenient Access to Metro Rail System, 405 & 105 Freeways • 10 minutes to LAX • Professional Property Management on Site • It’s Not Just a Location; It’s a Lifestyle! www.continentaldevelopment.com For Leasing Information, call 310.640.1520 Herald Office spaces in all sizes ad 2.indd 1 8/15/15 7:24 PM Letters Supports Choice June 7th is the California primary. We will get a choice who we want to be run for president, in fact there are 35 individuals running for U.S. Senator alone, but you may have noticed there is only one person to choose from when it comes the 62nd. Assembly district, our district, Autumn Burke of Inglewood. It seems Autumn, is the sole person running for the 62nd. assembly, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, professional politician and mother of Autumn, has used her political clout and connections to clear the field for her daughter to run unopposed. Except now we have a choice. Tony Leal has collected enough signatures, from both Republicans and Democrats, to qualify and run as write-in candidate for the 62nd. Assembly. This June election is an “open primary” which means the top two vote getters will be placed on the November ballot. Autumn is already guaranteed a spot. Democracy should and always be about choice. – Marc Rener • Obituaries Calendar Calendar listings are 25 words or less and we will publish as many as space permits, per week. Advertisers get priority. Friday, July 15 FREE ‘Space Concert”, ES Concert Band. Friday July 15th, at ESPAC. 7pm Symposium Ensembles; 8pm ESCB “Music from a Galaxy Far Away – Planets.” Celebrate! Saturday, July 16 Electric Car Cruise-In and Screening of “Who Killed the Electric Car?” 9:30am-12pm. Bring down your plug-in. See other converted and newer electric cars and plug-ins. El Cuervo Gallery presents “Small Works” Art Show and party. From 6-10pm. Over 30 different artists, come on down! 417 Main St. El Segundo. Sunday, July 17 SAM LLANAS, formerly of the BODEANS performing at The TAVERN on MAIN July 17th. “Coyote Dawgs” open the show at 5pm. Tickets $10 at EVENTBRITE.COM. Wednesday, July 20 The Jewelry Source is pleased to host a day with jewelry designer Bridget Durnell, Wednesday July 20th from 11am to 5pm. Stop into say hello! To get your calendar item in the paper, you must submit a Blue Event Form. Contact Justin Ngai at advertising@heraldpubications. com for the form or for your submission. Local business listings are free. Charges may apply to other listings. Any submissions over 25 words cost $50.00. Word limit 50. • Van Vranken from front page ‘old man’ of the group with everybody else just out of college—so they told me I should become a supervisor,” Van Vranken said. But when Douglas moved to Long Beach, he was not happy about the commute. That prompted an interview with The Aerospace Corporation in 1963. He stayed with the storied research and development center until his retirement in 1990, last holding the title of Principal Director of Computer Systems and Operations. Van Vranken’s history of community involvement began thanks to a golf buddy who encouraged him to apply for a spot on the Planning Commission in the early ‘70s. Soon after, others in town thought he would make a good City Council member, so he threw his hat in the ring for the April 1974 election—finishing first in votes both that year and when he ran again in 1978. Though not one to look back as a general rule, Van Vranken recalled that the city was in good financial shape at that time and that he was a major proponent of then-new development (e.g. Pacific Corporate Towers) coming to the east side of town. Today, he remains pro-development and pleased about new projects on the board east of Sepulveda. Though known as a fiscal conservative, he also views himself as progressive. “I’m happy to see Smoky Hollow revitalized,” he said. One area Van Vranken was not happy about was El Segundo’s eventual fate when it came to the percentage of each dollar the City receives from collected property taxes. “Before Prop 13 was even thought about, property taxes were increasing all over the place—but in El Segundo, the Council fought to reduce them,” he recalled. “We felt we could afford to do it and we had other revenue sources. But as soon as I saw Prop 13 [1978] and how the funds were going to be distributed, I thought, ‘We’re screwed.’” But there was little the Council could do about it once the legislation passed. In 1979, Van Vranken joined the El Segundo Rotary Club and is now the longest-standing member at 37 years and counting. He enjoys attending the weekly lunches at The Lakes golf course. “It’s a great group, with a nice influx of younger people,” he said. Speaking of younger people, Van Vranken has had to be careful to curb a habit most closely identified with those many decades his junior: texting. As someone who was always tech-savvy, fond of gadgetry and a fan of “moving forward,” it shouldn’t come as a big surprise that he may use his cell phone more than most 90-year-olds. “I didn’t know what texting was for a long time, but now I think it’s great,’ he said before admitting he has had to wean himself off of checking his phone too often. “I see the youngsters looking at their devices all the time and then I realized I was starting to do that too.” During the 90th party, one speaker quipped that Van Vranken is the “Godfather of El Segundo,” whose blessing (i.e. endorsement) is critical for any candidate to win a seat on the City Council. The birthday boy was quick to dismiss the influence he and other former leaders may still have on the political process. “We used to have a Mayors Club where we went out to dinner every month,” he said, but noted that the routine faded as some of the members passed away or left town. Meanwhile, there’s no telling what state the El Segundo Herald might be in today if it weren’t for Mary Lou Van Vranken. In 1984, she was one of a group of concerned citizens who stepped in financially to save the paper from being sold to an outside group. She remained on the Board until her death in 1991, after which her husband took over her spot. Though the loss of his wife was devastating, Van Vranken was fortunate to meet Bebe Buchen at United Methodist Church in 1994. They hit it off and have been an item ever since, sharing their lives and families. While he noted that they don’t have plans to get married at this point, the two are planning a trip next year to Portugal and Spain. During the party, Buchen thanked the late Mrs. Van Vranken for training him well. While not the sort to wallow in the past and pine for the good old days, Van Vranken was described as someone who will “cry at the drop of a hat” if something moves him emotionally. During this interview, El Segundo itself did the trick. “I have plans to be here until they put me in the ground,” he said. “I might consider being in an assisted living facility at some point if I can’t take care of myself, but it would have to be in El Segundo. This community means too much to me...” And with that, he quickly wiped away a tear and took another sip of his coffee. Happy 90th, Mayor Van Vranken! • Robert Hayos Robert Hayos, long-time El Segundo resident, passed away on June 26th, just shy of his 94th birthday. Born and raised in New York City, Bob moved to California in 1954 to begin his aeronautical engineering career at Northrop Corporation. A private pilot for most of his life, Bob served in the Army Air Corp during World War II and retired as a Major from the Air Force Reserve. A proud Hungarian American, Bob was an avid amateur radio operator (K6CUK), and builder of radio-controlled model airplanes. Bob is survived by his wife of 41 years, Norma, his two daughters, Joyce (Robert Degnan), Joan (Greg Shepard), grandson Bradley Degnan (Michelle), granddaughter Kimberley Chernoff (Robert), great granddaughter Samantha Degnan, stepson Richard Geithman, step daughters Linda Minard and Karen Watts (Donald), grandson Brian Watts, granddaughter Gina Watts. Joseph H. Pinchuk 6/5/28 - 5/16/16 Friends, neighbors and acquaintances (from his many walks around town) are invited to celebrate Joe’s life on Saturday, July 16th from 1 to 4:00 pm at the El Segundo Woman’s Club. Come and share a memory and sign the guest book. This will be a casual gathering of friends and family. We look forward to seeing you there. Former Mayor Dick Van Vranken Christian Riedi Knoll 07/06/1941 – 07/10/2016 Chris died peacefully in the afternoon of Sunday, July 10, 2016 at home with his wife Jean and 2 dogs by his side. Born on July 6, 1941 to Walter and Magdalena “Len” (Riedi) Knoll in East Chicago, Indiana. Chris grew up in Dubuque, Iowa and was a graduate of Dubuque Senior High School. After graduation, Chris moved to Chicago to raise his growing family and enjoyed his work as a Wood Dale (Illinois) volunteer firefighter and EMT. About the same time, he started his career in the airline industry, which lasted over 40 years. He retired from Air Canada after 32 years of service. Chris relocated to Los Angeles in 1979 and after retirement, became a passionate supporter of the Relay for Life of El Segundo, where he was fondly known as “Father or Papa Flea” and successfully raised more than $100,000 with his beloved team of “ZF Dancing Fleas.” He was also affectionately referred to as Roadman for his favorite band, Zerimar and Fritz. Chris is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jean Fritz; daughters, Cindi (Don) Dowdy, Cheryl (Bob) Alicea, Cathi Knoll, and Courtney (Davey) Riley; grandchildren, Amanda, Daniel, Samantha, and Bailin; and great-grandson Vincent. Chris was preceded in death by his parents and beloved brother David. A celebration of Chris’ life will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2016, 1:00 p.m. at Douglass Mortuary, 500 E. Imperial Avenue, El Segundo. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Relay For Life at www.relayforlife.org/donate <http:// www.relayforlife.org/donate> , Donate to Participant Name: Cheryl Alicea, in memory of her father Christian Knoll. Chris was a kind soul, appreciative of all that came to him and giving of everything and anything he was able. We loved his spirit and quick wit. He was terribly proud of his children, embraced the affection of his rescue dogs and was supportive of those that knew and loved him. He actively engaged with his family on Facebook – and lived by his favorite post: I don’t know how my story will end, but nowhere in my text will it ever read…. “I gave up” •
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