2013-2014 San Rafael Alumni Board of Directors

Harry married Suzanne E. Staley who also attended SRHS, class of 1961. They had two children who also attended SRHS, Robert Andrew (Drew) Miller, class of 1987, and Michelle Elizabeth Miller, class of 1989. Not only did Harry and his wife and their children attend SRHS, his father coached and taught at SRHS for 42 years from 1932-1974. The football field, Miller Field, is named after him.

After graduating SRHS, Harry continued his education and graduated from the University of Santa Clara and received a Masters Degree from Northwestern University. He was a US Army Major and served our country in Vietnam. He went on to become the Vice President of a Consumer Affairs Division and Compliance Department for 30 years. He was a lobbyist in Washington D.C. for five years for the health care industry. He retired as the Senior Vice President of the Reinsurance Company in 2004.

He has remained involved in SRHS over the years. While his children were there he was the President of the SRHS Boosters Organization for 10 years. Harry was the Chairman of the SRHS Alumni Association's Parade celebrating SRHS's 100th Year Anniversary. He has served on the Board of Director's for the SRHS Alumni Association for many years and has become even more involved in the SRHS Alumni Association, and will be serving the group as the 2008-09 President, feeling it was time to give back to the school and community while in retirement. He feels, "There is nothing more important than contributing to the development of the community's youth."

Bruce MacPhail, Vice President, Class of 1962,  While at SR, Bruce participated in football, basketball and track. He belonged to the Sportsman Club and was on the Student Court.  

Linda Landers Markwick, Treasurer/Correspondence Secretary, Class of 1965, was born and raised in San Rafael. For her educational career she attended Coleman Elementary, Davidson Middle and San Rafael High.

Almost immediately after graduating from high school she began working for Bergman Manufacturing Company as Traffic Control Manager/Shipping Clerk/Quality Control Secretary. When that company closed she began work in the Credit Department of McGraw Hill Publishing Company and remained with them for 18 years until the closure of Bay Area offices.

She has two children that, like her, attended San Rafael High School for their high school careers, Tony Markwick, class of 1987 and Tamara Markwick, class of 1996. She has raised other children as her own and she has several grandchildren.

She always looked fondly upon her high school days at San Rafael High School and was happy to join the SRHS Alumni Association in 1989, shortly after it was created. She became a Board Member that year as well and has since served for many years as an Officer on the Board. She has enjoyed working as a part of the Alumni Association to support the school.

Pat Read McCormack, Recording Secretary, Class of 1964, was a freshman yell leader and participated in RaRavas, the Rally Committee and the Dance Committee while at SRHS. Both her husband, Mel, and daughter are graduates of Redwood, 1960 and 1994, respectively.

After graduating from San Jose State University with a degree in Social Service, Pat immediately went to work for the County of Marin's Health & Human Services Department. She retired in 2005 as an Eligibility Supervisor. She loves to visit Tahoe, travel and has recently started traveling by cruise ship.

As to why she decided to get involved with the Alumni Association, Pat said, "Since I have been very involved in all of the Class of '64's reunions, it seemed logical to see how we fit in to the entire SRHS alumni environment."

Board Members

 

Sheldon Bachus, Class of 1959, became involved with the SRHS Alumni Associaton because it was time to start giving back. 

 

After graduating from SRHS in 1959, Sheldon received his B.A. from San Francisco State University, and M.A from the University of California, Berkeley.  He worked first at the Santa Cruz campus of University of California, managing administrative computer systems.  During most of the 1970s, he served as a technical advisor for the United Nations with extended postings in Burma, Ghana, Western Samoa, the Bahamas, and Mauritania.  Later Sheldon managed technical support services for the Bank of the Orient in San Francisco, and then retired in 1999 to start an information technology consulting practice.  He has continued his interest in music, and has performed as principal trombone with the Marin Symphony, and later bass trombone with the Santa Cruz Symphony, the San Francisco Civic Symphony, and Symphony Parnassus.  His current interests and hobbies include photography, fly fishing, and studying jazz piano.

 

Judy Cox McGrath, Class of 1956, was a member of the Girls' Recreation Association (GRC), the Aquatic Club and the Popcorn Committee (selling popcorn at lunchtime), while at SRHS. She was also the Senior Class Standing Committee Yell Leader. Jusy also participated in Theater Arts and many variety shows.

 

Judy married Joe McGrath inspite of him being a Drake Pirate. Their two children both graduated from SRHS...Amy in 1986 and Garth in 1989. Both were active in sports.

 

Judy played tennis for many years and is currently very active in boccee ball.

 

The Alumni Association was formed in 1984 to help plan the 100-year anniversary celebration of SRHS in 1988. Judy was one of the original founding members and has continually been on the Board of Directors helping make the Alumni Association what it is today. In past years she has held the office of President, Vice President and  Newsletter Editor.

 

Tay Kern, Class of 1964  During Tay's years at SRHS, she was a Freshman Cheerleader, Sophomore Cheerleader and on the Rally Committee. Tay was married to Rob Ham, Class of 1962, for a few years.

 

After graduation, Tay worked for 30 years at First American Title Co. as V-P and escrow officer ... also extensive travel and photography. She is now into Zumba, hiking, walking and golf.

 

Tay join the Board in 2018 hoping to promote Alumni interest.

 

Vince Mueller, Class of 1957,was on the football and swimming teams during his years at SRHS. He was a member of the Key Club, Scholarship Society and Junior Statesmen.

Since graduation, he has been a high school teacher, a business executive in travel and was involved in several marketing venues. Vince's primary hobbies are wine label collection and wine history research. He likes duplicate bridge and travel.

Vince joined the SRHS Alumni Association to promote the continuing growth and development of the school, its staff and students.

Rich Nave, Class of 1948, was very active at SRHS. He was on the football, basketball and track teams. He was Student Body President, Boys' Organization President, Sportsman Club President and Block SR President.

He married Dolly Wright, Class of 1950. All eight of their children graduated from SRHS (Bruce/1970, Kathy/1974, Rich/1974, Patti/1975, Paul/1977, Sheri/1976, Thomas/1981 and Louie/1983) along with one grandchild (Coryn/1991).

After graduation, Rich continued to be active in the community. He has been a San Rafael City Councilman, a partner in Nave Bowling Lanes, Nave Shopping Center and Nave Bros. He has also been a San Rafael Booster member for 20 years, on the San Rafael PTA and on the San Rafael-Terra Linda Joint School Committee. Rich was a SRHS assistant football coach in 1955, 1956 and 1957 with Paul Miller, Bill Nave and Jack Sims.

Rich has been volunteering for the Alumni Association for 22 years and says, "I love San Rafael High School. I had a great experience attending SR."

Larry Oliver, Alumni Ambassador, Class of 1957. While at SRHS, Larry was on the JV Baseball team and a member of the Tumbling Club. He was Senior Class Vice President and on the Senior Ball committee. He helped with his 50th Class Reunion. Larry is currently our Alumni Ambassador for the Board

Larry has been married for over 45 years to Marietta and has four children (Marla, Marc, Michael and David) and two grandchildren (Jordan and Kiara).

"I have had the privilege and honor to be teaching the SRHS Metal Shop since 1999. Bill Costello called me to ask me to apply and Mrs. Judy Colton (Principal) hired me. I plan to stay as long as possible." "I have a 1966 corvette roadster that I try to find the time to enjoy and work on."  

Larry joined the Alumni Board to support the high school he attended and worked at for so many years. (Larry retired in June, 2017.)

Mary Ann Schnell Varner, Class of 1956 knew no one when she arrived at SRHS (which was very scary for her). But she quickly made friends and was a class officer all four years and Student Body Secretary her senior year. She was active in sports, drama and was a song leader & cheer leader. She served on many committees and was active with Les Couturiers and a member of the Girls League.

After graduation, Mary Ann worked for Pacific Telephone Company for five years. She was in the constructon industry for 15 years and is currently employed at Our Lady of Loretto in Novato (for the past 27 years).

Mary Ann is a member of the Novato Elks Lodge #2655, Tri-Gamma Sorority (non-scholastic), Helping Hands, Book Club and a Senior Bowling league in Petaluma. She loves sports. She has three children, eight grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She enjoys watching and helping with their activities.

Mary Ann became active in the SRHS Alumni Assocation in 2013 because the Association has done and continues to be a very strong support in all aspects of the school. She believes that SRHS is truly diverse and has something special to offer the youth (they are our future). Mary Ann is proud to be a graduate of San Rafael High School.

Directors Emeritus

** Vera Leptien Hunt, Class of 1944 (deceased)

** Erma Sessi Parsons, Class of 1944 

** Paul Ware, Class of 1947 (deceased)

** Barbara Ortner Ware, Class of 1950

** Dolly Wright Nave, Class of 1950 (deceased)

VERA worked in the school office after graduation and retired from SRHS as a Library Clerk. Her duties on the Board of Directors included Secretary, Correspondence Secretary and Vice President. **Vera Leptien Hunt passed away on 2/19/14 at the age of 87.

ERMA was the first Membership Chairman of the Alumni Associaton and maintained all the records on index cards from 1984 until 1991..

BARBARA held the office of Treasurer and served from many years on the Newsletter Committee.

PAUL wore many hats on the Alumni Board as Treasurer, Vice President, President for 12 years and long time Editor of the newsletter - a position from which he retired in 2011. **Paul Ware passed away on  8/7/13. He was a special man who will be greatly missed by his family and everyone who knew him.

DOLLY acted as project coordinator for the Alumni Association since it's formation in the mid-1980's. She was inducted into the Marin County High School Hall of Fame in 1992 for her contributions to prep athletics. Dolly and her husband, Rich Nave, are on the SRHS Wall of Honor for their tireless volunteer work. **Dolly Wright Nave passed away on 12/23/14 at the age of 82.

All of the above were founding members of the SRHS Alumni Association.

We thank Vera, Erma, Paul, Barbara & Dolly for their many years of outstanding service and dedication on the Board of Directors.

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