Tulare Advance-Register from Tulare, California • Page A10

10A TIMES-DELTA ADVANCE-REGISTER Philanthropist Humorist Never sick a day in his now this! Allan Dean Fisher died at Kaweah Delta Medical Center, in Visalia, CA, on March 30, 2015. Although he had just recently been diagnosed with sarcoma cancer, he unexpectedly died from complications as a result of a head injury he sustained earlier in the week. He passed away peacefully with his wife and son by his side. He was 80 years young. Born in San Jose, CA, Allan was the third child to Elliott Lee and Margaret Stewart Fisher.

As his father was a Methodist minister, and his mother an immigrant from Glasgow, Scotland, he was raised with strong ethics, and a love for his family, God, and community. Along with his older brothers Wesley and Forrest, and his younger sister, Peggy (Margaret), the family moved every two years, and he adapted to new situations and people. It was a way of life. His greatest challenge was his childhood asthma, and from that experience he learned never to give up on anything or anybody. Allan graduated from Farleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, NJ in 1957, with a Marketing degree, and later pursued graduate studies in Medical Administration and Business Administration at San Jose State.

On a blind date in 1958, he met and six months later married, the love of his life, Sharon Ann Koch. They were partners, and worked side-by-side for over 56 years, but for In 1962 they welcomed their son Mark Allan, followed by Karen Lynn in 1964. They raised their family in Fremont and Pleasanton, where they made many lifelong friends, were very active in their community, and where he began his Rotary career. In 1964, Allan founded Western Medical Enterprises, Inc. He was the employee, President, and Chairman of the Board.

He grew the company to operate 60 skilled nursing facilities in California, and three subsidiaries, with 5,000 employees and $100 million in sales. As a result of its sale to ARA Services, he became their CEO and operated one of the largest healthcare companies of its kind in the United States. Always eager for new challenges, in 1981 he founded Mission-Valley Bancorp, a multi-bank holding company, and acted as its Chairman of the Board, and successfully ran those banks until 1986. He then started and became President for Hospital Counselors, where he was primarily involved in the building, acquisition and divestiture of approximately 180 medical facilities. In 1989, with a deal signed on the back of a cocktail napkin, he started Mission Medical Enterprises, Inc.

With his son and partner Mark, they acquired and have been operating four skilled nursing facilities: Delta Nursing Rehab in Visalia, Tulare Nursing Rehab in Tulare, Hanford Nursing Rehab in Hanford, and Kings Nursing Rehab in Hanford, all under the management of Mission Care Group. His caring nature, humor, guidance and hearty cooking will be greatly missed by his devoted employees. Allan and Sharon moved to Visalia in 1994, where they have embraced this very loving and generous community, and it has become their home. Together they travelled extensively throughout Europe and the US, but favorite destination was Las Vegas. Their mutual devotion enabled them to endure the loss of their much-loved daughter Karen in 2000, and through many illnesses and surgeries.

Those fortunate enough to be a dinner guest in their home knew how well they worked together as a team, and how much they loved to entertain. In the last few months he had been planning and carefully executing his birthday party celebration that was held only a short month ago. Despite his declining health, he persevered, and it was a tremendous evening surrounded by friends and family, including a surprise visit from his sister Peggy. Mark and his wife Maureen blessed him with three very special grandkids, and he was always so proud of how they raised Connor, Iain and Caitlin Fisher. He instilled the importance of honesty, things that you start, respect for other people, the value of higher education, the necessity of completing jobs well, and the skill of properly delivering punch He loved those kids, and spent quality time with them, especially over the last few years.

Allan is probably best known in the community for his public speaking and joke telling. These hobbies, along with cooking, propelled him into a new career as an author. In 2001 he wrote The Roast Book, and that book was followed by American Humors Best One and Two Liners, Leave Laughing, Marinate the Cook and his last book, Wok the Dog. He loved autographing his books and seeing how happy he made people with his endless sense of humor. He also published in the local papers.

Allan considered the single most important experience in his life to be working at a scout camp for several summers when he was in high school. He believed that experience set the tone for how he would lead the rest of his life, and it did. Allan was active in the Boy Scouts of America for over 50 years, with countless leadership roles on the San Francisco Bay Area Council, Sequoia Council, Western Region, National Jamboree and the National Executive Board. His proudest moment was receiving the Silver Buffalo Award in 1998, which is the highest award that the Boy Scouts of America can bestow. He inspired many youth throughout the years, including his two Eagle Scout grandsons.

He believed in the critical philanthropic value of volunteer work and donations of both time and money. He has served his community well, serving as President and Board Member for Pro-Youth HEART; Annie R. Mitchell Elementary School and Union School; Past President of the Visalia Downtown Rotary Club (his year was focused on the youth of Visalia); served on the Rotary Foundation; President of the Sequoia Council BSA; Chairman of the Scout Service Center Member of Visalia United Methodist Church and their Staff Parish Relations Committee; Co-Chair of annual fund drives for the Tulare County Symphony; Chairman of the Visalia Chamber of Commerce Sequoia Regional Leadership Steering Committee; member of the St. Anthony Retreat Advisory Board, in Three Rivers; member of the Board of Trustees of California-Nevada Methodist homes; Chairman of a drug and alcohol abuse counseling service for Alameda County; and Board President and Board Member of Washington Hospital, in Fremont, CA. Community recognitions include Pro-Youth HEART of award in 2002; Avenues of Service and Rotarian of the Year, 2003; Honoree, Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Award in 2008; Visalia PTA Education Hall of Fame Inductee in 2008 and Visalia Chamber of Commerce of the in 2009.

He hoped that his family and loved ones would remember him as someone that gave meaningful service to his community, was a faithful servant of God, played practical jokes, loved kids and did all he could to help them, served as a role model, performed random acts of kindness, deemed a highly-respected member of the community, and was a really funny guy that made people laugh. Job succeeded. We will forever miss his cheerful optimism, corny jokes, passion for life, emails, and tender heart. He leaves behind his wife Sharon, sister Peggy (Bill) McAlpine of Sun City West, AZ, son Mark (Maureen) of Visalia, grandchildren Connor, Iain and Caitlin, sister-in-law Patricia (Wesley) Fisher of Hereford, TX, numerous nieces and nephews, and his trusty dog, Rusty. He was preceded in death by his daughter Karen, brothers Wesley and Forrest Fisher, and parents Elliott and Margaret Fisher.

The family would like to thank the extensive number of doctors, nurses and medical facilities that have provided compassionate and exceptional healthcare to Allan throughout his many years of health issues, for which he always seemed to rebound, due to your competent care and his eternal optimism because two things can happen, and one of them is A memorial service will be held at Visalia First Assembly of God, 3737 S. Akers Street, Visalia, CA on Tuesday, April 14th at 10am, followed by a reception at the Visalia Country Club. A private burial was held earlier this week. At his request, memorial donations may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Sequoia Council, 230 NW Third Ave, Visalia, CA 93291. Arrangements by Miller Memorial Chapel.

Allan Dean Fisher December 27, 1934 March 30, 2015 VISALIA Luisa E. Spitler was born on December 20, 1926 in Trieste, Italy and passed away on April 6, 2015 with her family at her side. She celebrated her last Easter April 5, 2015 and God called her home the next day. Luisa grew up in Trieste and became a photographer. Her future husband, Kenneth, stationed in Trieste during the war, was a Radio Announcer for Armed Forces Radio.

He would visit the photography shop to see Luisa and constantly dedicated songs to her. He asked her out on his 21st birthday date), proposed marriage and she said yes. Luisa became pregnant with their child, Louisa, Kenneth his duty with the Army and they relocated to California, home. They settled in Santa Barbara where Kenneth, his mother and stepfather started a family business, Safety Striping Service, a pavement marking company which is still operating today. Luisa took English lessons, studied for her citizenship and became a U.S.

Citizen, all while pregnant and relocating to a very new country. Through the years Kenneth and Luisa relocated to Ventura, Salinas and Oxnard, where they spent 43 years. They had two more children, Larry and Leslie. Luisa spent her time raising children, going to school, at the beach with friends and traveling to Italy to see her mother. Kenneth and Luisa founded Le Regazze Di Trieste which brought together couples comprised of American servicemen who married adies from Trieste.

The organization grew to approximately 50 couples who participated in annual reunions held around the United States. In 1993 Kenneth retired. They moved to Visalia in 2005 to be closer to family. Kenneth passed away in 2007 and in April of 2009 Luisa moved to Memory Care at Quail park. The staff at Memory Care was her second family; they loved her and the feeling was mutual although this feisty Italian often gave them a rough time.

She loved singing opera and would break out in song at her whim, sometimes with joy and sometimes just to irritate someone she want around! Luisa is survived by her children, Louisa (David), Lawrence (Susan) and Leslie; grandchildren, Jamie, Jennifer, Steven, Michelle and Scott; and six great grandchildren. Burial will be private at Santa Barbara Cemetery on April 17, 2015. In lieu of the family would appreciate a donation to your favorite charity or to Gateway Church of Visalia. Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel. com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371. Luisa E. Spitler Dec. 20, 1926 April 5, 2015 VISALIA Kathy Kengle passed away Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 in Tulare at the age of 73.

She was born September 10, 1941 to Jack and Oleta Daniels in Visalia, California and was raised in Madera where she graduated from Madera High School in 1959. Shortly after graduation Kathy went to work for and later at GMAC where she met Harry Kengle. They were married in 1964 and soon after they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where Harry enrolled in law school. After graduation, they moved to Canon City, Colorado, where they raised their family of one daughter and two sons. During that time, Kathy was a homemaker, was the manager in law and was active in her church.

Later, Kathy moved to Visalia where she was employed as executive secretary to Glen Ruddy at Credit Bureaus of Tulare County until the business was closed. She then worked in the Tulare County Department of Health and Human Resources until her retirement in 2012. Kathy loved going to church and reading the Bible. Over the years, she became well-versed in scripture. She also loved to sing and listen to gospel music.

Before she became unable to do so, she was an avid walker and enjoyed outside activities. Kathy is survived by her children, Keri Marshall, David and Benjamin Kengle; her granddaughters, Ashley and Jarami Plumlee, her sisters, Joan Ellingson, Julie Seeley, Mary Fenton, her brothers, Jack Daniels, Harold Daniels and Keith Daniels, and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Oleta Daniels, a ister, Martha Ramirez, and two brothers, Dennis and Ted Nelson. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Visalia Cemetery.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel. com. Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Visalia, CA93291 (559) 732-8371. Nora Kathleen Kengle Sept.

10, 1941 April 5, 2015 VISALIA Garth Clark Brott, 72, died peacefully the morning of Friday, March 27, with his wife Bernadette by his side, following a beautiful visit with all his family of whom he was most proud. Garth was born on February 10, 1943, in Tulare, California to Gail and Thelma Brott. He is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, Bernadette Lucio Brott; his three sons, Gavin (wife Didem), Shane (wife Leslie), and Dax (wife Taylor); his grandsons, Hudson, Emre and Clark; his Rotarian exchange-student-son Fernando Cazzoli (wife Aninha); his brother Dr. Gregory Brott; and many nephews and nieces. Garth attended Wilson Elementary, Cherry Avenue Middle School, Tulare Union High School, College of the Sequoias and San Jose State College.

After college he joined the armed forces as a reservist in the United States Marine Corps where he was named outstanding marksman of his platoon. Garth returned to Tulare to continue his work at the family business, Brott Plumbing and Sheet Metal Shop, in 1966. In 1970, the company became incorporated changing its name to Brott Mechanical, Inc. The following year, Garth was designated president of BMI, serving as the third generation Brott to hea the company. With a natural gift for business, Garth expanded the company into Fresno and Kern Counties.

In 2003, Garth added North Los Angeles to service area, and also formed a new company, BMI-PacWest, to serve Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. In April of 2014, BMI Mechanical, a 104-year-old business, was named California Family Business of the Year by the Institute for Family Business at California State University Craig School of Business. company motto Better Really was the perfect description for the way Garth lived, both inside and outside the walls of his He never settled for second-best. But Garth had his priorities right, for although he was truly passionate about his business, his family and friends always came Devoted husband, loving father, grandpa, classy uncle, loyal friend, dedicated businessman and the ultimate gentleman this is how Garth Clark Brott will be remembered. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, April 17, 2015, at 11:00 a.m.

at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 125 E. Pleasant, Tulare. In lieu of donations may be made in name to St. Aloysius School Memorial Fund, the St.

Aloysius Church Building Fund or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Tulare Funeral Home. Garth Clark Brott Feb. 10, 1943 March 27, 2015 TULARE Visalia Times-Delta Tulare Advance-Register obituaries also appear on www.VisaliaTimesDelta.com www.TulareAdvanceRegister.com and on Legacy.com, the largest provider of online obituaries. Obituaries Continued from 9A Death Notices Calderon AdanLujano Infant, Terra Bella, March 31, 2015.

Visitation April 14, 2015, 8AM-12PM, Whitehurst- Peters-Loyd Chapel. Graveside service will be held April 14, 2015, Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery Services provided by Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Funeral Cremation Service. Calderon EthanLujano Infant, Terra Bella, April 3, 2015. Visitation April 14, 2015, Whitehurst- Peters-Loyd Chapel. Graveside service will be held April 14, 2015, Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery Services provided by Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd.

Cardenas Ana RosaEstrada 65, Terra Bella, April 8, 2015. Visitation will be held April 15, 2015, 3PM to 7PM, Myers Chapel, Porterville with Rosary at 6PM. Mass will be held April 16, 2015, 11AM, St. Church, Porterville. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Park, Porterville Arrangements by Myers Funeral Service Crematory.

Certuche Emily 90, Porterville, April 3, 2015. Visitation will be held at Myers Chapel, Porterville, April 14, 2015 from 4PM to 7PM with a Wake at 6PM. Service will be held April 15, 2015, 11AM, Myers Chapel. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Park, Porterville. Arrangements provided by Myers Funeral Service Crematory.

Coronado, Dr. PrimitivaCanlas Milford, Connecticut, July 21, 2014. Celebration of Life services will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Visalia, at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2015.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, Hearne II MarkStephen 33, Visalia, April 1, 2015. A memorial tribute may be by logging onto www. salseranddillard.com Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel. Mata Benita 92, Tulare, April 8, 2015.

Visitation will be held April 16, 2015 from 5PM-7PM with the Rosary being prayed at 6PM, Hadley-Marcom Funeral Chapel, Visalia. A Mass of Christian burial will be held April 17, 2015, 10AM, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hanford. Burial to immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery, Hanford. Hadley-Marcom Funeral Chapel, Visalia, is honored to be serving the Mata family. Memories and words of comfort may be expressed to the Mata family online at www.Hadleymarcom.

com Arrangements provided by Hadley-Marcom Funeral Chapel. Ochoa Eliezer 74, Dinuba, April 9, 2015. Visitation will be held April 13, 2015, 8PM, St. Catholic Church with Rosary at 6PM. Funeral Mass will be held April 14, 2015, 1PM, St.

Catholic Church. Interment Smith Mountain Cemetery. Services provided by Dopkins Funeral Chapel. Popplewell CarolineJ. 80, Visalia, April 6, 2015.

Memorial services will be held April 11, 2015, 11AM, Faith Baptist Church, Visalia. Arrangments entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia. Ridings DavidJeLrey 44, Porterville, March 29, 2015. No services scheduled. Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Funeral Cremation Service.

Sandoval AlbertBanda 69, Porterville, March 29, 2015. Visitation will be held April 12, 2015, 2pm-8pm, Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Chapel with Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6pm. Celebration of Mass, April 13, 2015, 11AM, St. Catholic Church. Interment at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery.

Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Funeral Cremation Service. Telesford AlexanderRalph 91, Porterville, April 4, 2015. No services scheduled. Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Funeral Cremation Service. Warren ThomasJ.

94, Visalia, March 27, 2015. Visitation will be held April 17, 2015, 11AM until 1PM, Miller Memorial Chapel, Woodlake. Graveside services will be held Fri, April 17, 2015, 1PM, Woodlake District Cemetery. Arrangements by Miller Memorial Chapel. Wright JamesHenry 91, Visalia, April 6, 2015.

Military graveside service will be held on April 16, 2015, National Cemetery, 30338 Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin, CA. Hadley-Marcom Funeral Chapel, Visalia is honored to be serving the Wright Family. Memories and words of comfort may be sent to the family online at www.hadley- marcom.com Hadley-Marcom Funeral Chapel. Boesch Albert 76, Exeter, April 7, 2015. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2015 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Evans Miller Guinn Chapel.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 10:00 am at the Chapel followed by burial in the Exeter District Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansmillerguinnchapel.com. Services entrusted to Evans Miller Guinn Chapel. Services provided by Dopkins Funeral Chapel. Coronado, Dr.

Primitiva Canlas 69, Milford, Connecticut, July 21, 2014. Celebration of Life services will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Visalia, at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2015. Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, Ochoa Eliezer J. 74, Dinuba, April 9, 2015. Visitation will be held April 13, 2015, 8PM, St. Catholic Church with Rosary at 6PM. Funeral Mass will be held April 14, 2015, 1PM, St.

Catholic Church. Interment Smith Mountain Cemetery. Services provided by Dopkins Funeral Chapel. Popplewell Caroline J. 80, Visalia, April 6, 2015.

Memorial services will be held April 11, 2015, 11AM, Faith Baptist Church, Visalia. Arrangments entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia. Sandoval Albert Banda 69, Porterville, March 29, 2015. Visitation will be held April 12, 2015, 2pm-8pm, Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Chapel with Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6pm. Celebration of Mass, April 13, 2015, 11AM, St.

Catholic Church. Interment at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery. Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Funeral Cremation Service. Services All Obituaries appear on Legacy.com See our Obituaries on Legacy.com.