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1940 - 2016

BORN

1940

DIED

2016

About

Gonzaga University Santa Rosa Junior College University of Nevada Las Vegas Cardinal Newman High School

Ken BUBB Obituary

BUBB, Ken March 6, 1940 - August 5, 2016 I died on August 5, 2016. I lived in Santa Rosa for 38 years. With my wonderful parents setting the foundation, I set out on my life's long journey -- I taught at Cardinal Newman High School and worked with the Spanish-speaking and farm workers with Catholic Community Services under the enjoyable Monsignor Cox. I was elected to represent the indigent of Santa Rosa for the War on Poverty and proud to have worked with Roy Mitchell and Dale Spencer. I then came to a fork in the road, the priesthood or family, and I chose the road less travelled. I was privileged to have a lifetime of friendship with Bob Jones, we growing up many years ago as Hoosiers. Bob and I set up CommonHealthCare, and we, together with one hundred volunteers, kept this community health testing/health education program going for fourteen years. I taught English to the area farmworkers for three years, receiving more in human understanding than the classes I was offering. I taught Latin at the Santa Rosa Junior College for fourteen years, at the Solano Community College for thirteen years and at Gonzaga University for two years. What I taught the students in no way measured up to what the enthusiasm and imaginations of those many students meant to me over the years. Social justice was always my focus, which led me to meet Donna who at the time was working with Cesar Chavez and who would spend twenty years teaching English to area disadvantaged people seeking employment. Together we set up Project Brotherhood and worked together for many years offering what physical and spiritual support we could throughout Sonoma, Mendocino and Napa counties. We have two wonderful sons, Ken and his wife Beth who are involved in chemistry research, and Dan who is teaching at the Honors College at UNLV. Our forty-seven years together have been wonderful. The pancreatic cancer invaded and will accompany my ashes when they are strewn in Monterey Bay, a place where Donna and I have experienced many spiritual moments in the wonders of nature. I will miss my family and friends.

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Published by Press Democrat from Aug. 14 to Aug. 15, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Ken BUBB

Sponsored by Zachary Fruhling, A Grateful Student, In Memoriam.

17 Entries

Justin Bodell

December 23, 2024

I took two years of Latin at Santa Rosa Junior College, taught by Ken. He was a masterful teacher, letting students engage with each other, discussing the subject, and eventually and effortlessly guiding us back to the lesson. He was a kind man and the best teacher I ever had. I'm lucky that I knew him.

Bob, Jill, Amy, Bobby

August 11, 2024

Still think of you often.
It was truly a blessing to have you in our lives.
We miss you.

Robert B Jones

August 12, 2022

Jill and still think of Ken often. A couple days ago we attended (by Zoom) Dona Hardy's life celebration. We first met the Hardies in the very early 70's when Noel and Maureen moved to Santa Rosa. The Schmidts, Ken and Donna, and Jill and I used to meet with Donna and Jerry at their home to socialize, theologize, enjoy each others company. Special times.

Bill Hess

August 9, 2020

Ken and I sat next to each other at Brunnerdale since we were the youngest. While he was one of those along with Al Spilly and "Truck" Dineen who raised the curve in our classes he was as down to earth as you could get. Just a nice guy to be around and associate with. No airs. No pretenses. His ending up doing all he could to help the less fortunate fits him. He did waht he could to make the world a better place for his having been in it.

Bill

Mercedes Ibarreche

August 9, 2020

Ken fue un gran ser humano, irradiaba amor y alegría a los que lo rodeaban. Lamento mucho no haber podido acompañarlos en su momento
Gran amigo mío y de mi familia
Mando un fuerte abrazo desde Puebla a Donna, Kenny y Danny

Bob Jones

August 8, 2020

My first memory of Ken was in 1948 at Precious Blood elementary school in Ft. Wayne Indiana. We were in 3rd grade at the beginning of the year. But early on that year Ken was promoted to the 4th grade, an early sign of his uniqueness and talent. He was good in sports. We played on the PB tackle football team and the basketball team. Ken was the star of the basketball team. I know this because I watched him play for two seasons as I sat on the bench. In his 8th, my 7th, grade we were captains of the safety patrol program.
Ken went to the seminary in 1953. I followed him the next year. We spent twelve years studying philosophy and theology and planning sports together, often on the same team. It was customary during those years to give each other nicknames. I think Ken’s was “Bud.” Everyone called me “Rocky,” except for Ken. He called me “George.”
Ken was ordained in 1966 and was assigned to Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa California. I followed him there the next year. Ken wasted no time in becoming socially active. He and two priest friends, Tom Stang and Roger Snyder, organized Amigos Anonymous, a group of Cardinal Newman and Ursuline high school students, who spent their summer months in a suburb of Mexico City working with disadvantaged families. They worked closely with the Ibarreche family, who organized their lodging and activities.
Ken was very involved in Sonoma County minority programs. He worked closely with Catholic Community Services, which served the needs of Spanish-speaking farm workers. And he was involved with the War on Poverty, in which capacity he worked with the Roy Mitchell family. In fact, Roy and his wife named one of their sons Ken in honor of him. During this time he met his future wife, Donna, who was also dedicated to social justice and was very involved with Cesar Chavez and the farm workers’ cause.
In 1972 Ken was hired to head a federally funded consumer health education program, which came to be known as CommonHealthCare. It was a pioneering preventive medicine program. Funding ended after three years, but Ken managed to keep the program going for another twelve years.
Ken spent the rest of his working years teaching Latin at various colleges.
Ken was blessed with a beautiful family, Donna and his sons Ken and Dan. He had a wonderful smile, a great sense of humor, and sense of what was important in life. He was a true friend, loved by everyone who knew him, and is sincerely missed. He was my best friend. He and his family will always have a special place in the hearts of me, my wife Jill, and my kids, Amy and Bobby.
Thank you, Ken, for the joy, friendship, and direction you brought to our lives.

Mary McFarland

October 8, 2017

Ken was my CCD teacher in Ohio, and a friend of long ago. I went to his ordination, he went to my graduation. He was a light then, and clearly remained one throughout his life. All touched by him were blessed.

Richard O'Dea

August 25, 2016

One of my all time favorite teachers! He made Latin fun and accessible. Sorry to hear of his passing.

Rob DiPietro

August 20, 2016

Ken Bubb, a name i will never forget..a man whos influence has touched my life daily..i stand tall today and will forever be thankful to this man among men..a shining light who whispered with a smile. I miss you..we will all miss you..Thank you ! Robert Cono DiPietro Carninal Newman Class of "71"

Bob Hafner

August 19, 2016

Ken was a gifted and very special person who was always other-directed, unselfish and giving. Although we both took the "road less traveled " after ordination, we were unable to reconnect, which I deeply regret. We will remember and pray for the family and the social causes Ken worked so hard to make a difference in people's lives.

Bob Jones

August 16, 2016

Ken was one of the finest human beings I have ever known. He dedicated his life to serving others, especially those less fortunate and often neglected by our society. He made everyone who met him a better person. I feel blessed to have been his friend. Jill and I will always cherish our moments and memories spent with the Bubb family.

Tom Stang

August 16, 2016

Ken was a joy to work with. We shepherded many Cardinal Newman students to work in Mexico City in a community called Copilco. Ken always saw the light side of every situation.
Thanks, Ken , for those years of great company. Tom stang

semper ubi sub ubi

Mark and Jen Mendoza

August 16, 2016

Ken Bub was a wonderful Latin teacher. He opened our eyes to a whole world of literature, history, and possibility. His classes enriched our lives so immensely. We're so sorry for his loss, but glad that we got to know him.

Tom Stang

August 15, 2016

Ken and I spent a couple of summers shepherdingnCardinal Newman students to work in the slums in Mexico city.. One of the highlights of my life.. Ken was always a joy to be with

Melissa Spencer

August 14, 2016

Ken officiated at our wedding in 1971 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Windsor, which my husband Ted helped his dad, Dale Spencer, build. Donna, I remember the Bible studies at Dale and Normalee's home, where we met with the Menths. Good memories, all of them.
I am so sorry to hear of Ken's passing, but he is in Heaven now, laughing and joking with Dale, Normalee, and my Ted too. You and Ken were both so well loved!
Prayers and love for you and your dear family.

Brien Farrell

August 14, 2016

Ken Bubb was an excellent teacher. His actions led Cardinal Newman students to become involved in serving the community. He made a difference. Condolences to his family and friends.

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