Photograph by Kathy De La Torre

Bob Williams, center, joined by wife Dana and children (from left) Riley, Cole and Tess, is the beneficiary of the Bob Fest 2000.

Community rallies for 'Bob Fest'

By Shari Kaplan

Local boys and girls who made good in the entertainment industry are coming home. Still-local educators, Silicon Valley executives and other individuals are joining them and, together, the group is making a spectacle titled Bob Fest 2000.

A music and variety show will be held Sept. 8, at 8 p.m. in the Prentiss Brown Auditorium at Los Gatos High School, 20 High School Court. Bob Fest 2000 promises not only to be fun and exciting, but also promises hope and faith--not to mention funds--for its namesake, Saratogan Bob Williams.

A 1980 Saratoga High School graduate and a school teacher for 10 years, Williams spent the last five of these at Rosemary Elementary School in Campbell, where he taught the second grade. Williams' love of children continues outside of the classroom as well--he and wife Dana have three children: Tess, 7; Cole, 4; and Riley, 1.

"He's this incredible, unique, talented teacher who will try anything to get kids and their parents involved in the learning process," says Rosemary Elementary principal Connie Elness. "It's hard to think of anyone here who doesn't think of Bob as a friend."

Williams is no longer working because this July he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer that has spread to his lymph system, lungs and spine. Bob Fest 2000 was conceived by Bob's many friends to help pay for various alternative medical treatments he's using as complements to radiation and chemotherapy. The alternatives are not covered by his insurance.

"The doctors don't consider it curable, but we really have in our mind that it's a beatable kind of thing. We've been trying to search out as many [options] as possible. We're working hard for a positive outcome," Williams says.

The fundraiser includes an eclectic array of performances by home-grown success stories such as actor Lance Guest, whose credits include The Last Starfighter and Plan B; songwriter and guitarist Mike Gurley of the groups Dada and Gurley Gilmore; pianist John Boswell, who records with the Hearts of Space label; guitarist Dave Boswell; screenwriter Ed Solomon, who worked on Men in Black, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and What Planet Are You From?; and physician and musician Brian Prestwich.

"No matter where we've ended up, we are all still Saratogans and Bob is a very special member of this community," says Kevin Ruf, a 1980 SHS graduate, now of Southern California.

"I've just been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support," Williams says, adding that the ordeal is also proving a positive learning experience. "I'm the type who always likes to do for others; I'm not used to people doing things for me. I also used to really worry about stuff like cell phone minutes, but that makes no difference to me at all anymore!" he says, laughing.

Tickets for the event are $100 per person. Tickets are available in advance and at the door. For more information, call Lynette or Joe at 408.294.2532, or email lynetteb@sgi.com or jpambian@cisco.com.

Anyone who cannot attend the fundraiser but would like to make a direct donation in any amount can do so through the Bob Williams Fund, 158 N. 15th St., San Jose, 95112.

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