Deaths

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Benjamin Wilhelm Kaufman, passed away in his home in Paso Robles surrounded by loving family on August 13, 2009 at age 36. He was the beloved companion of Joyce Calderone, loving son of Roger (Lorri) Kaufman and Lynette (Dave) Fishel-Dunbar; dear brother of Randal (Elena) Kaufman and Janna Kaufman; adoring uncle of Madeline and Rebecca Kaufman; nephew of many aunts and uncles. Benjamin was an artist and actor who packed in a lot of living into too short of a life. He believed in living life to the fullest every moment of every day. Benjamin will be missed by many, but forgotten by few.

Private Memorial Service were held on Sunday, August 16, 2009 .

Special thanks to Dr. Susan Chang and Dr. Mitchell Burger. Donations to UCSF Brain Tumor Research, 400 Parnassus Ave, S.F., CA 94143 preferred.


Richard A. Krimen
, born April 4, 1935, and a San Francisco resident for almost 50 years, passed away on August 3, 2009.

Richard was born to Frank and Edith Krimen in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He spent his early childhood in Pennsylvania, where he lived prior to moving to Los Angeles and attending Beverly Hills High School. After graduating, he attended University of California, Los Angeles where he majored in business and finance.

Upon finishing his degree, he joined the State Compensation Insurance Fund in the claims department, but was promptly called to serve in the United States Army. He served with distinction while being stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

On completion of his service in the army, Richard rejoined the State Fund in the home office in San Francisco. While there, he attended law school at night for four years at Golden Gate University Law School. After graduation and admission to the practice of law in California, he took the position of Junior Counsel in the State Fund’s legal department. It was there that he met the love of his life, Evelyn Ersepke. They had a loving marriage for 45 very happy years. Richard was also a very dedicated father of their three sons Edmund, Gerald, and Robert.

Richard was appointed to Chief Counsel for the State Fund in 1980. He was a highly regarded manager and attorney. Richard was with the State Fund for over 47 years at the time of his retirement in April 2004.

Richard loved reading and learning about new places. He took his family on trips all over the continental United States, Hawaii, and Europe.

Richard was a great counselor and could converse on an impressive variety of different subjects. Many people were enriched by his advice and counsel over the years. Richard was also a very kind, dependable and generous man, with a great sense of humor and a sharp mind. He was a selfless father, husband and friend.

His loss will be deeply mourned by many.

Private services were held August 7 at Home of Peace in Colma.

Donations may be made in his memory to Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco.

 Sinai Memorial Chapel


Sonja “Sally” Newhouse
, whose beauty and charm graced 97 years of living, died peacefully Aug. 8 at Woodside Care Home in Woodside and was buried next to her husband Aug. 13 at Eternal Home Cemetery in Colma.

Sally was a longtime resident of Menlo Park and Palo Alto, and a former member of Congregation Kol Emeth in Palo Alto. She was admired for her starlet looks, her sense of fashion and etiquette, and her determination to take up golf in her 50s and to continue exercising into her 80s.

Born in Poland, she came to San Francisco in 1932, sent for by her father who had started a second family in this country. That same year, she met and married Al Newhouse, who “Americanized” her from Sonja to Sally, before they moved from San Francisco to Menlo Park, where they raised three children.

Sally was predeceased by her husband of 48 years in 1980, and their son, Robert, in 1970. Sally is survived by daughter Phyllis Newhouse of Menlo Park, son David (Patsy) Newhouse of Oakland, and grandsons Chad Newhouse of San Francisco, Casey Newhouse of Seattle, and Robby Newhouse.