The Campbell Reporter

Community

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Man With Purpose: Henri Zander served on the Campbell Union High School board for more than 10 years. He helped the district steer through a major bond measure, which has been used to upgrade aging facilities.

Former trustee helped get the votes for CUHSD $95 million bond

By Emilie Crofton

Dedicated, hardworking, determined, headstrong. These are the words friends and family used to describe Henri Ross Zander, one of the "most influential members" to serve on the Campbell Union High School District board.

Zander died on April 25 of colon cancer. He was 65. His friends and family say his impact will be felt well into the future.

Born in San Jose on July 27, 1941, Zander was raised by his grandmother on her ranch in what was then known as Old Santa Clara. Today it is Sunnyvale.

Even at a young age, Zander's future role as a determined leader was apparent, according to his cousin Bobbie Robison.

"Back then he was known as Little Henri, but he was larger than life. He commanded leadership and always consistently made himself available to others," Robison told those attending Zander's memorial service.

Robison said he considered Zander more like a brother than a cousin.

He and his wife, Harriet, married in 1964 after knowing each other for 4 1/2 months. They were married for 42 years.

"Since we didn't know each other for very long before, we learned a lot about each other during our marriage," Harriet Zander said in a written statement for the memorial service.

Zander worked hard to put his wife and himself through school at San Jose State University. He worked in construction by day, and went to school in the evening. He graduated 10 years later with a bachelor's degree in social science.

"He took class after class, never really keeping track of his credits. I think he was actually disappointed when he realized he had enough credits to graduate," Harriet Zander said.

Zander had a passion for anything to do with cars, trains and planes. At San Jose State he was a member of the flying club known as the "Flying Twenty."

He also enjoyed the mountainous area of Trinity County, where he and his family would retreat to their cabin every summer and winter.

One of Zander's greatest accomplishments included the work he did for the Campbell school district, according to Campbell Union School Board superintendent Rhonda Farber.

"Henri was a fighter. He would stand up to anyone to fight for what he thought was right," said Farber to the crowd at the memorial service.

While a board member, Zander paved the way for the passage of Measure C--a $95 million bond measure approved by voters in 1999.

The board was planning to pitch a $65 million bond measure to voters, but Zander knew it was not enough to accomplish what needed to be done at the aging campuses.

"He was determined to get the $95 million. He wouldn't stand down until we got the full amount," Campbell Union High School District board trustee Pam Parker said.

The state matched the funds, and the board received a total of $130 million.

"We have been able to do so much more with the money, and we would never have been able to do so without Zander," Parker said "We were able to create three new science buildings, and redo football fields for all five of the local high schools."

John Nolen, who is the support services director for the district, said at the service, "Zander had a great commitment to our district. He was a man who made a difference. When there was a problem, he would make himself part of the solution."

George St. Clair was on the CUHSD board of trustees from 1990 through 2006, and a trustee when Zander was elected in 1997.

"You just have to look around the community to see his legacy. He served on every committee and was always generous with his time and always put his all in everything he attempted," St. Clair said.

During the memorial service on May 19 in the Campbell Community Center, daughter Hennessey Zander described her fond memories of her father.

"I remember my father as a hero," she said. "He always tried to make a difference in the community. He was not only a great father but a great friend."

Besides his wife and daughter, Zander is survived by his aunts Christine Sondgroth, Marge Vlahovich, Viola Lazaneo and Stella Hughes, and many cousins.

The family suggests donations to The Zander Scholarship Fund c/o CUHSD, 3235 Union Ave., San Jose, CA 95124.