Date: 11-18-2006
In Memoriam: William J. Samuels.
 Emerald
Glen Board Member and major contributor Bill Samuels passed away
on November 18, 2006 at the age of 91. His lovely wife
Shirley Picard Samuels predeceased him. Bill leaves behind
two wonderful developmentally disabled adult sons; Tom and John
Samuels, and the love of many family members and friends.
Born August 20, 1915 in Decatur, IL, William John
Samuels was an Eagle Scout, and attended the University of
Illinois where he was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi
fraternity.
Aviation was Bill's passion, beginning with his first
bi-plane ride at the age of 10. He learned to fly while in
college, was a Major with the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron in the
South Pacific in WWII, participating in a heroic rescue in New
Guinea. Bill's career spanned 40 years as a pilot, flight
instructor, and Senior Captain for United Airlines, with bases
in Denver and San Francisco.
Bill was an avid sportsman, enjoying fishing trips with
his wife and sons, hunting, skeet shooting, tennis, golf,
building and flying radio control model airplanes, and his "big
stakes" domino games. Photography was another of his
passions, having won numerous awards in local shows with his
photographs taken around the world and at home. Bill also
served as president of the Serra Center Parent's Association,
and later on the board of Emerald Glen Homes. His life and
those close to him are chronicled in his book, "Reflections of
an Airline Pilot." Bill will be remembered as a loving,
proud, determined, and generous man who did everything with
class.
A long time resident of Menlo Park, Bill spent the last
four years as a resident of The Forum of Rancho San Antonio in
Cupertino, where he has many friends.
A celebration of Bill's life was held on Saturday,
December 2, at 2:00pm, in the Sierra Room at the Forum at Rancho
San Antonio, 2300 Cristo Rey Drive, Cupertino, CA 95014,
Event Calendar (coming soon)
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Date 2-21-2007
In
Memoriam:
Dr. Lawrence Mathers, Jr., M.D.
Dr.
Lawrence Mathers Jr., M.D., Founder and President of Emerald Glen
Homes was found dead in his San Carlos home on Wednesday night
February 21st 2007 at the age of 62. The cause of his death
has yet to be determined.
Outside
of the medical community "Dr. Larry" as many of us knew him, was an
amazing physician, professor, musician, philanthropist and human
being. He held a dual career as Associate Director of the Intensive
Care Unit at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, as well as Chief
of the medical school’s Human Anatomy Division. He was also known as
one of the best anatomy teachers in the country.
His wife, Mil Jones, predeceased him in 2002. Larry is survived by
his step-sons, Doug and Mark Jones, and his step-daughter, Beth
Jones (actually, he always referred to Beth as his daughter), who
has a developmental disability and looks forward to residency at
Emerald Glen Homes.
Dr. Mathers worked diligently for more than a decade litigating the
wrongs against a large group of people with developmental
disabilities, including his daughter Beth, which involved founding
and funding Emerald Glen Homes. He did this from both his own
passion and in keeping a promise to his wife. He held a vision to
create a higher quality of life and more compassionate care for
people with developmental disabilities, and from this vision,
Emerald Glen was born. Emerald Glen focuses toward the evolving and
acute needs of older adults with developmental disabilities.
Dr. Mathers saw this dire need, when after purchasing lifetime
commitments in a Fremont-based residential care facility, these
people were tossed from their homes so the property could be sold
for profit. Dr. Mathers and his Wife, Mil, led the parent group who
eventually prevailed in their lawsuit. The Jury awarded nearly $1
Million per resident in damages. Emerald Glen Homes was initially
funded from the funds awarded to his Daughter Beth, and the two sons
of Mr. William Samuels, deceased in December 2006. This money was
donated so that many lives could be changed. And it was an
investment well made. Emerald Glen Homes breaks ground in Spring of
2007, under the wing of HomeAid Northern California.
To note a bitter irony, one of the driving forces of creating
Emerald Glen was to provide a safety net for adult children whose
parents had passed on or were too elderly to care for their adult
children. His daughter Beth is now in such a position, having lost
both parents.
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We’re saddened that Larry won’t be here to experience the excitement
of groundbreaking, of seeing the tangible progress of nearly a
decade’s work through to completion—of personally fulfilling the
promise to his wife and daughter. Having touched so many lives,
there remain many people willing to support the housing envisioned
by Dr. Mathers, through the visionary leadership of HomeAid Northern
California (visit
homeaid.com and click on Northern California region). Friends
and colleagues, and members of the public may inquire about how they
can help support Emerald Glen Homes. Board seats are open, and there
is always plenty of room for creative ideas, referrals and support.
To those who have offered support to date, and in particular to
HomeAid Northern California, Larry would want to convey to you his
gratitude for all you’ve done for Emerald Glen. This project would
not have proceeded without your help.
Dr. Mathers often spoke with gratitude and excitement about the
upcoming groundbreaking of this long-awaited project. His heart was
overjoyed to know there were others willing to join him in his
vision to create real homes for these residents. Each time he left a
HomeAid meeting, he commented how impressed he was by the caliber
and commitment of each member of the team. Supporting HomeAid are
the “Builder Captains”, all top executives of the major homebuilders
Pulte, Ponderosa, Meritage and William Lyon Homes. Architects KTGY
and Structural Engineers Ruggeri Jensen and Azzar also donated all
services.
Dr. Mathers said he developed great respect for Developers and
Homebuilders. He felt the complexities were as vast as the medical
field and, after all, either one could save a life. How right he is.
When complete, Emerald Glen will provide high-quality new housing
for 30 residents.
Thank you Dr. Mathers and HomeAid. Together you’ve changed many
lives.
Goodbye dear friend.
Click here to read Dr. Mathers'
Obituary
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