Lt. Col. Robert E. Schmal

Obituaries

Adell Liesener

Former Los Gatos resident Adell Liesener died Nov. 13 of congestive heart failure in a Cupertino retirement home. She was 91.

Born Aug. 9, 1908, in Port Washington, Wis., Liesener worked as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in the late 1920s. In 1950, Liesener and her husband, Herbert, left Wisconsin for the warmer climate in California and settled in Los Gatos. Liesener was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Los Gatos, enjoyed the local library and loved to cook.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Carol and Dr. Anthony Lippi of Los Gatos; son and daughter-in-law Earl and Judy Liesener of Hurricane, Vt.; grandchildren Lisa Lippi of Los Gatos and Dr. Paul Lippi of San Jose; great-grandchildren Megan and Trevor Lippi of San Jose; and sisters Marvel Kurtz of Jackson, Wis., and Edna Seyfert of Apex, N.C.

Memorial services have been held, with interment at Los Gatos Memorial Park. Donations may be made to the Adell Liesener Memorial Fund at Faith Lutheran Church, 16548 Ferris Ave., Los Gatos, 95032.

Dr. Henry Garcia

Former Los Gatos resident Dr. Henry Garcia died of a heart condition Nov. 15 at the age of 78.

Garcia was born Oct. 15, 1921, in Watsonville. The family, which included eight brothers and sisters, soon moved to Los Gatos and settled on a ranch. Today, homes and Los Gatos Memorial Park stand on the property.

Garcia became well-known at Los Gatos High School for his athletic ability, which earned him school letters in baseball, basketball and track and field. During World War II, Garcia served in the U.S. Marines and participated in the D-Day assault on Normandy, France.

Upon returning home, he attended college and, in 1946, became a chiropractor. He opened a chiropractic clinic with his brother, Frank, in the Alum Rock area of San Jose. In 1962, Garcia moved his office to the Cambrian Park area of San Jose. In addition to helping his patients physically, he became a friend and confidant to many.

Survivors include wife Grace Garcia of San Jose; sons Jim, Gerry, Joe and Sal Garcia; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers Dr. Frank Garcia and Father John Garcia; sister Lee Garcia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services have been held.

Robert E. Schmal

Lt. Col. Robert E. Schmal of Los Gatos died Nov. 16 at the age of 89.

Schmal was born on Oct. 10, 1910, in Lowell, Ind. He graduated from the University of Indiana in 1933 with a degree in fine arts.

He was commissioned as a U.S. Army 2nd lieutenant in June 1933, which began a 30-year military career. He served in World War II and later was a military adviser to the 1st ROK Division of the Korean Army during the Korean War. He earned a Bronze Star. On a second tour of duty in Korea, he served as special adviser to the ROK Army and was awarded the Outstanding Service Medal by the Republic of Korea. Schmal served three years in Berlin and Munich, Germany; Vienna, Austria; and Trieste, Italy. He earned the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.

After military retirement, Schmal took a job with the U.S. Department of Defense as a senior contract negotiating officer assigned to various Bay Area defense contractors.

Schmal, a resident of Los Gatos since 1962, exhibited paintings throughout the area and supported the Villa Montalvo Art Center. He also belonged to the Los Gatos Art Association, the Campbell Artist Guild and the Art Beat Gallery. He enjoyed golf and fishing, and he was well-known among friends for hand-tying exotic specialty flies.

Survivors include wife of 42 years Phyllis Schmal; daughter Judy Knefelkamp; grandchildren Sarah and Craig Knefelkamp and Kimberly Knefelkamp Zimmerling; and brother Richard Schmal.

Memorial services have been held. Donations may be made to EMQ Children and Family Services, 251 Llewellyn Ave., Campbell, 95008.

Clarence S. DeLucchi

Former Los Gatos resident Clarence Sylvio DeLucchi died in his San Jose home Nov. 16 of several strokes. He was 81.

Born April 24, 1918, in San Jose, DeLucchi graduated from high school in Hawaii, where his father was stationed with the U.S. Navy. DeLucchi joined the Navy during World War II and was assigned to the U.S.S. Longshaw, which was later destroyed by bombs off Okinawa, Japan.

DeLucchi joined the Los Gatos Police Auxiliary in 1956 and remained with the organization until it disbanded in 1962. He later became a charter member of the current reserve officers group. DeLucchi also worked part-time in various trades, serving as a carpenter, an electrician, a plumber and a natural-gas mechanic. He belonged to the Carpenters Local 2006 and the Los Gatos Moose Lodge.

Survivors include wife Janet DeLucchi of San Jose; children Louise, Jeanne, Jeff, Teresa, Cathy and Wayne; foster daughter Melody; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; siblings Louie and Genia; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services have been held.

Rose-Marie Murphy

Monte Sereno resident Rose-Marie Murphy died Dec. 3 at the age of 71.

Murphy was born July 22, 1928, in San Francisco and was a homemaker.

Survivors include husband William Murphy of Monte Sereno; children Colin, Brynn and Philip Murphy and Lauryn Fries; seven grandchildren and brother John Kent Konings.

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