In Our Care
Frank Bonner Beuhler II
June 25, 1920 - July 17, 2022
Frank Beuhler was born on June 25, 1920 in Shreveport, Louisiana to parents Amie Louise Lloyd and Frank Bonner Beuhler.
Frank Beuhler has been an artist his entire life. Winning a prize for a drawing he made when he was in grade school, he went on to become an artist for his high school year books while attending school in Santa Monica. Following his dream, Frank studied art and photography at Art Center in Los Angeles. He worked at various jobs to support his desire to become a professional artist and to have his own business one day. He worked long hours and devoted himself to his dream. His hard work and effort paid off, and he eventually opened his own business as a commercial artist when he relocated to San Francisco. At the same time as running his business, he followed his passion, and worked on hundreds of etchings at Fort Mason in San Francisco on the weekends, and went to life drawing class in Sausalito, California. He won a first place prize at the Marin Arts Society for one of his etchings. Frank met the love of his life, Helen Marshall, who was studying Fashion design in Los Angeles. Helen and Frank both loved music and dancing to the tunes of the big bands. It was their destiny that their paths would cross, and they met each other at a dance. Frank saw Helen and his heart skipped a beat. He thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen so he asked her for a dance. He knew from the moment he met Helen that she was the “one”. After that night at the dance and their first meeting, Frank could not get Helen out of his mind. He pursued her and knew that he could never let her go. Six months after they danced their first dance together they were married on February 28th, 1943. Helen and Frank settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, a place that they both loved, where they built their home together. They continued to work hard and inspire each other throughout their lives. They celebrated 74 years of marriage until Helen passed away in 2017.
Frank passed away peacefully in his home with family around him, he is survived by his daughter, Launa, his son, Bonner & wife Susan, grandchildren, Jennie & Toby, great grand daughter Holly Francis. He celebrated his 102nd birthday on June 25th, 2022.
Anna Alise Collins
June 20, 1989 ~ June 24, 2022
In Anna’s own words, she was a “Believer, Wife, Mama”, in that specific order. She passed on June 24, 2022 after a hard fought, two-year battle with colorectal cancer. Anna is best remembered for her love and devotion, particularly to her daughter, but to many around her as well as her love for animals.
Anna was born as the younger of two girls in Newport News, Virginia and spent her childhood through college years in Williamsburg before making her “big move” a few hours north to Manassas, Virginia. Her love for animals drove a desire to be a veterinarian but physics tripped up that dream, so she instead found her calling as an elementary school teacher. Always teaching in low-income and title I schools, Anna was often the best advocate and mentor for many of her students, providing a loving environment for learning and development while setting boundaries that were often unfamiliar to many of her students.
Less than one month after moving to Manassas, Anna met her husband Tyler and within a year left Virginia for three years in Hawaii, three years in Minnesota, and three years in California, making friends at gyms with neighbors, and other circles along the way. Over those years, Anna taught at five different schools, coached at three different CrossFit gyms, and house sat for dozens of dogs, cats, and other animals. In those same years Anna also had five dogs, seven cats, three rats, and four chickens as permanent pets or foster pets until they found a forever home of their own.
Anna’s abounding love reached its pinnacle at the birth of her daughter, Sybil. Always a loving and dedicated mother, she devoted herself full time to her stay-at-home mother duties. Anna obsessed over learning activities, early food development, growing up outdoors in nature, and finding ways to help Sybil flourish. She was meticulous in word choice, treating Sybil as someone who understands – even as a young toddler, and ensuring a path to healthy physical and mental development.
Anna is missed dearly by her husband, daughter, parents, sister, and many other relatives and friends. She will be remembered as an amazing, dimple-smiled mother whose love shown through in even the smallest of interactions.
Elaine Mililani Whisman
Memorial Service
Friday, May 27, 2022 ~ 10:30-12:30
The Island Girl Too Much For An Island
Elaine Mililani (Correa) Whisman was born September 28, 1934 to Lawrence and Dolores (Silva) Correa. She passed away peacefully on May 18, 2022, after a day in the company of family.
Elaine’s life began on the tiny rock outcroppings in the vast Pacific Ocean, at Honolulu, Hawaii. The Correa and Silva families had emigrated in the latter part of the 19th century from Madeira and The Azores islands. In Hawaii the families joined a thriving community of Portuguese expats. Lawrence and Dolores carved out a simple life of hard work centered on the railroads serving Pearl Harbor and a series of small businesses. Extended family gatherings came alive with music, hula, and plenty of homemade Portuguese, Hawaiian, Japanese, and Chinese dishes.
Elaine thrived in this island community. She loved the warm Pacific trade breezes that blew freely through open windows of their Hawaiian homes. She loved the ocean and surfing, and hiking the rainforest-covered mountains. She loved to read and to sing, and she loved school. She clung to these passions throughout life and shared them with her children.
When Elaine was 15 years-old, the family was blessed with the birth of Phyllis. Elaine took quickly and devotedly to big sister duties. Elaine and Phyllis remained loving sisters and cherished friends throughout their lives.
Despite its obvious natural beauty and cultural richness, Elaine realized that another world lay beyond the vast ocean that surrounded her home. With a spirit and determination unexpected and perhaps not appreciated in a woman of her time, Elaine resolved to leave the islands and venture to “The Mainland.” This decision revealed an independent and somewhat contrarian streak that defined her whole life and which reportedly sent ripples of gossip, dismay, alarm and, perhaps, also some admiration, through her family and close-knit neighborhood of Kamehameha Heights. But those who knew her well understood that no amount of pre-Twitter twitter would deter Elaine from pursuing this adventure.
At the age of 20, she boarded a twin-propeller airplane for the 12+ hour flight to the City by the Bay. She found a new community at the YWCA Residence Club, a job in the finance department of Pacific Telephone, and made many friends from around the country.
Music and singing were part of Elaine’s being, so it is no surprise that she joined the choir at Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral shortly after arriving in San Francisco. It was there that she met Frederick James Whisman. She was most likely drawn to his twinkling blue eyes and gentle smile, because his singing voice was unlikely to have reeled her in. They were married on January 14, 1960 and remained devoted and loving partners and friends through 36 years of marriage until Fred’s death in 1996.
Unafraid of a challenge, Fred and Elaine welcomed four children in less than six years: John Lawrence, James Morrissey (Jim), Anne Marie (Amy), and Frederick Damien (Rick). Elaine reared her children with love, focus, determination, and, of course, independent mindedness. She insisted on healthy foods from the culinary riches of the Pacific Rim- Grape Nuts over Frosted Flakes and dim sum over McDonalds. Television was rationed, but the phonograph spun constantly with the soundtracks of Broadway musicals. Respect and kindness towards others was paramount (when we kids weren’t beating on each other). Elaine took immense pride in her home, and loved hosting multi-course holiday feasts, or opening the house to rowdy teenagers for Gordos burritos and a Niners game. Later in life, nothing made Elaine happier than to cook with her kids and their spouses, surrounded by her lucky 13 brood of grandchildren: Iain, Linnea, Laird, Madelaine, Nils, Marissa, Cassidy, Charlotte, Ricky, Tyler, Gabriel, Quinn, and Riley. She was dearly loved and admired by her daughters-in-law Kathleen, Cecilia, and Sharon, and her son-in-law Tim, all of whom counted her as a bonus mom and true friend.
Elaine’s life after the children were reared – as if there is any such date – involved a mix of her varied interests. She studied and then practiced kitchen design for some years. She and Fred traveled. She sorely missed Fred when he died in 1996; no suitor ever measured up thereafter, and she lived contentedly on her own at both Ewing Terrace and then the Sequoias for 15 years. A highlight of our lives was a family trip to Hawaii in 2011 with all the kids, spouses, and grandkids joining Elaine for a swim in the Waikiki waves that she rode decades before.
As her health waned in recent years and Parkinson’s took a stronger hold, Elaine had to content herself with car rides instead of walks. She especially enjoyed trips to the beach and gazing westward over the breakers, and excursions to museums and botanical gardens. The disease eventually robbed Elaine of her ability to find words and to speak and her frustration would be evident. But, almost miraculously, the disease never defeated her singing. Until the end, she remembered the lyrics to hundreds of songs, the entire alto part of Handel’s Messiah, and could sing Hawai’i Pono’ī, her beloved state anthem, without hesitation.
Elaine Mililani Whisman was a woman of grace, poise, style, determination, and love for her family. She lives on in the love of music, humor, the outdoors, and elaborate holiday meals that bind our family together to this day. Aloha Oe, Elaine Mililani, until we meet again.
A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held at 10:30 am on Friday May 27 at Fernwood Cemetery, 301 Tennessee Valley Road in Mill Valley. Dress is casual, with Hawaiian prints and leis encouraged.
If you would like to make a donation in Elaine’s name, please consider By The Bay Health, the hospice that supported her and all of us in her final months. https://bythebayhealth.org/donate-now/
Jay T. Edwards
Memorial Service
June 16, 2022 ~ 11am-1pm
Jay T. Edwards’ love of life did not come to an end with his death. After a courageous battle with cancer, Jay passed away peacefully at his home in Sausalito, California, on May 7th, 2022. He was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.
Jay was born in Evanston Illinois, to Mary and Kenneth Edwards. After graduating from Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois, Jay completed his Bachelor of Science, Marketing and Real Estate, in 1979, from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Following graduation, he moved to Denver, where he started his new and exciting career in the private real estate sector. He dedicated himself to hard, yet rewarding work, while obtaining his commercial real estate broker’s license. It was during this time he discovered his love for the great outdoors that bought endless activities and countless adventures. Jay relocated to San Francisco in the mid 80’s to pursue even greater opportunities for a bright and hopeful future in commercial real estate.
Upon relocating Jay continued his extraordinary commercial real estate career as a seasoned negotiator, highly respected for his business skills, leadership qualities and countless business relationships. He was well-known for his professionalism, tenacity, excellent listening abilities, unwavering commitment, as well as, always making time to celebrate a co-worker’s birthday or attend one of the many holiday celebrations. These characteristics led to many noteworthy opportunities in both the private and public sector. Most recently, Jay retired from the Port of San Francisco as Senior Property Manager, LEED AP, where he focused on leasing for the Northern Waterfront portfolio and complex negotiations with long standing Port clients, Exploratorium, Alcatraz Embarkation and the opening of the Cruise Terminal. He was very proud of his extensive involvement and instrumental negotiations in the completion of the Port redesign for the America’s Cup Race in 2013, as well as, the negotiation and completion of the retail lease for Boudin at Pier 39.
Jay often commented that public service was noble and necessary. Personally, he held it with great important value, along with family, faith and our local community.
These principle also lead him to his acute awareness and love for the environment and shaped his housing and business concepts, from refurbishing houseboats on the bay to obtaining a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification in green building and sustainability.
Jay was not only successful in his career, but, life. He was well-rounded, out-spoken, a voracious reader, smart, confident, curious, with a wicked sense of humor, who loved to expand his mind and share his thoughts, which he had many. He often thought of himself as a wine connoisseur and admirer of different cuisines, which meant he loved to drink good wine and eat delicious foods, often crediting his Mother for her love of cooking. He had a great love and appreciation for live music and all genres, never missing a chance to see a live performance or singing out loud while driving in his car. But you could also find him watching his favorite hockey games, the SF Giants, Warriors or Sunday football with some of his closest friends.
His enjoyment for watching live sports was second to his love for adventure and the beautiful outdoors, which gave him true joy. From weekend bike rides through the Marin Headlands, memorable camping trips, roller blading along Blackie’s pasture, endless snowboarding adventures and vacations, more golf/tee times than one man could ever hope for in a lifetime to so many fun and meaningful road trips that will forever be etched in our memories.
Jay cherished each and every moment with his beloved family and loyal friends. His friendships had no limits, generous with his heart and soul, valued character over pedigree, had great empathy, an enormous capacity to give of himself and so brave. We’ll forever miss his infectious laugh and warm and welcoming smile. The last few years, he got great joy from long and reflective hikes with his devoted dog, Olive and lifelong partner Frances, discovering new and exciting trails, ones that take you beyond your imagination, crossing a bridge that no one can follow to continue his journey elsewhere with the same love and passion that he lived his life.
Jay is survived by his dedicated wife Frances, beloved Olive, and wonderful and loving four best friends/brothers, sisters in-law, brother in laws, mother in-law, cousins, nephews, nieces and many amazing friends. We’re going to miss you. Your decency, sincerity and kind soul will stay with us forever and through our tears let us see the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great husband, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
A spiritual service will be held on Thursday, June 16th from 11am to 1pm, at Fernwood Funeral Home, 301 Tennessee Valley Road, Mill Valley, California.
A Celebration of Life reception for Jay will be held later that day at Peacock Gap Golf Club at the Clubhouse from 5pm to 9pm, to share memories, stories and camaraderie. Peacock Gap is located at 333 Biscayne Dr, San Rafael, California.
A private interment for family member and close friends in Colorado will follow later in the summer, August 13th.
Roger Kuhn
April 24, 1942 - February 22, 2022
Dr. Roger Charles Kuhn DVM passed away peacefully February 22, 2022 at the home he loved in Strawberry Point, surrounded by his family. Roger was born on April 24th, 1942 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the son of Marie Amelia and Frederick August Kuhn, who he credits for teaching him to always be there for family. He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. Roger is survived by his wife Lynn of 57 years, his three sons Shaun, Todd and Blake, his daughters-in-law Amy and Jennifer, his six beloved grandchildren, Clayton, Sydney, Siena, Sebastian, Mylee, and Charly. He was also survived by his brothers, Frederick and Kurt and was predeceased by his brother Craig.
President of his senior high school class, Roger was a noteworthy athlete, both in football, basketball and track and field where he was a state hurdle champion. He played trumpet in the school band and continued to play casually when the spirit moved him. He attended The University of Missouri on a football scholarship. Following graduation he attended the Missouri Veterinary School of Medicine graduating Magna Cum Laude with the highest GPA in his class. Roger was one of eight national veterinarians accepted for an internship at the prestigious Angel Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston Massachusetts. There he learned the value of being mentored by a highly skilled and respected veterinary staff and aspired to mentor others throughout his career. In 1969 it was off to San Francisco, the land of flower power, where Roger joined Marina Pet Hospital as an associate veterinarian. A year later he purchased this historic hospital, from Dr. Howard Caroll. The hospital has served San Franciscan's since 1938. Dr. Kuhn along with many devoted veterinary associates over the years, and hundreds of caregiving employees continued the hospitals tradition by serving the Marina community for decades helping the well-being and lives of family pets for generations. He practiced as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine for 49 years.
In 1973, Roger and partners founded All Animals Emergency Hospital in San Francisco, the third of its kind in the United States. He went on to expand, acquiring Valley Veterinary Hospital in Walnut Creek and Danville Veterinary Hospital in Danville, often rotating as a doctor to each, which earned him the title of "Vet Man" from his wife Lynn. During his career he influenced many doctors and employees continuing the mentorship he learned at Angel Memorial. His brothers Kurt, Craig and son Shaun joined him at management levels, all contributing to the success of the practices. He truly loved his profession, found it exciting and loved working with clients and their pets. He served as Vice President and President of the local chapter of VMA, was a frequent contributor and speaker to practice management seminars and publications. He was board certified in Companion Animal Medicine, Surgery and Animal Dentistry. He also served as Executive Secretary of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. For several years he was involved in the development and start-up of Pet Smart Clinics inside Pet Smart Stores. In 1994 Roger was recruited to be one of the original founders of the nationwide Banfield Pet Hospitals which grew to 700 locations and was eventually purchased by the Mars Company in 2008. His contributions and influence within his profession were local and national, earning him respect within the veterinary community.
Roger was a dynamic force and lived life fully engaged. His plate and days were always full. He loved adventure and he often "was" the adventure. His energy was boundless and inspired positivity. He was lured to the challenge of new beginnings. Professionally and personally, he was a visionary, a big picture person, a knowledge seeker, a contributor, and a mentor to many. Often, he gave encouragement to those he worked with, cultivating confidence. There was little he wouldn't try, limitations and the words "You can't do that" rarely occurred to him, nor did he think they applied to him. He was a risk taker, liked to live a bit on the edge, but usually didn't see it that way. He was all about having fun in life, a participator. He was a runner, a swimmer, a basketball player, a biker, a mountain biker, a motorcycle rider, a snow skier, a fisherman, a tennis player, a golfer, a good dancer, reader of long historical biographies and even hopped on a horse now and then. He loved to be well dressed, the adventure, and excitement of traveling the world and absorbing cultures with Lynn, family, and friends. His smile, enthusiasm, personality, and curiosity were wide. In an educational setting he was usually the first to ask a question. Always productive and good natured, Roger was friend to so many. He enjoyed meeting and being with people, hearing their story. He was most generous with his time, support, and advice, especially, when it came to family, friends, and their beloved pets. Roger was a unique and colorful individual, as his oldest grandson always says "I don't know anyone like Papa." He was king among princes, one of a kind, a truly good human being. His family is grateful for the gift of hard work, time, love and care he gave to us and extended family. We will miss his energy that could fill a room. Goodbye beautiful man. It was a privilege to share life with you. Your spirit's journey is off to new beginnings. Our hearts will be missing you always and dearly.
A celebration of life is being planned. For those who would like to make a gift in Rogers memory the family invites donations to the Forbes Norris MDA/ALS Center in San Francisco, an Animal Welfare group of your choice, or Hospice by the Bay.
Gwen Rustin Greene
January 5, 1932 ~ March 30, 2022
Gwen Rustin Greene, age 90, of San Rafael, California, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2022, surrounded by her loving family, after a brief 1-month decline. Her three children were each with her at their own first breath and her last.
Gwen was born on January 5, 1932, to Edgar and Florence Rustin in Atlanta, Georgia. She was industrious and responsible from an early age and bought her first car and her first house when she was just 21 years old.
In Atlanta, she worked in the office of Dr. Brown at the CDC. There, she met the love of her life, Dr. John Clifford Greene. They played tennis on their first date, and the two were inseparable from that moment. They married in 1957, going on to have 3 children, Alan, Laura, and Lisa. John and Gwen were joyously married for 59 years until John’s passing in 2016. Over the years they lived in Silver Spring, Maryland, Albany, California, Tiburon, California, Bethesda, Maryland, and San Rafael, California.
When her children were born, Gwen dedicated her talents to being an amazing wife and mother, building a family and community of love. Gwen was a fiercely dedicated mom to each of her children. Family came first to Gwen, a value she instilled in all those around her. The hole left by her absence is impossible to fill.
Wherever she lived, she was active in her church and a respected teacher. She reminds many of the Proverbs 31 woman, “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise in the city gate.”
Gwen was the youngest child, by a considerable margin, of a large extended family. At 90 years old, she was the last of her generation. She was also predeceased by her husband John Greene and her granddaughter Brooke Nickel. She is survived by a remarkable and close family that she built and inspired, including her 3 children Alan Rustin Greene and is wife Cheryl Greene, Laura Greene Nickel and her husband Jeff Nickel, and Lisa Greene Helm and her husband Mark Helm, her 8 other grandchildren Garret Greene and his wife Rachel, Kevin Greene and his wife Beth, Sarah Helm, Claire Greene and her husband Scott, Kimberly Nickel, Lindsay Helm, Austin Greene, and Brandon Nickel, and her 2 great grandchildren Juniper Greene and Cora Greene, as well as by large, tight-knit extended families in Kentucky and Georgia.
We will miss her beyond words, and love and respect her always.
