Albert G. "Bo" Raisch

Albert G. "Bo" Raisch Albert G. "Bo" Raisch, long-time contractor and community leader, died peacefully at his Los Gatos home on March 3, 2008, at the age of 77. Bo was born in San Francisco on November 22, 1930, the son of Albert G. Raisch Sr. and Katherine Raisch. He grew up in San Francisco and Marin County. Bo attended Tamalpias High School, where he excelled in academics and athletics, and was the student body president. He attended Stanford University, earning a bachelor's degree in political science, and an MBA. While at Stanford, Bo met the love of his life, Jean Marie Tice. They were married in August, 1953. After Stanford, Bo completed Officer's Candidate School and served with distinction as an officer in the United States Navy. He returned to California in 1957 to assume control of the family construction business, then named A.J. Raisch Paving Co., based in San Jose, CA. At that time the Raisch family had been engaged in the road construction business in the Bay Area for over 100 years. Bo was soon named president and chief executive officer, and assumed an ownership position. He used his considerable management talents and knowledge to turn the company, soon known as Raisch Construction Company, into one of the premier heavy engineering construction and construction materials companies in Central California. For the next 30 years, the company was instrumental in constructing much of Silicon Valley's infrastructure, employing hundreds of loyal and devoted employees. In 1990 Raisch Construction merged with Grade-Way Construction of Fremont, CA, to form RGW Construction. The construction materials portion of the business continued as Raisch Products, which is still owned by a Raisch family member. Bo remained active in the management of RGW Construction until his retirement from the construction company in 2002. He was an industry leader, taking an active role in labor negotiations and in advancing construction industry interests. Bo was very active in the community, serving on many boards and in several leadership positions. He served on the Vestry of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Saratoga, including a term as senior warden, overseeing a time of expansion and construction for the church. Bo was also active on the board of Good Samaritan Hospital, including a term serving as the president of the board. He enjoyed his activities as a member and chapter president of the Young President's Organization (YPO) and later the World President's Organization (WPO). Bo was a member of the Sainte Claire Club in San Jose and The Family in San Francisco. Bo enjoyed many activities with his family and friends. He was an accomplished horseman, for many years competing throughout the state on his Tennessee Walking Horses, a passion he shared with his wife Jean and daughter Dana. Bo was an enthusiastic tennis player, hosting many matches with his friends at his court in Los Gatos, or honing his skills at John Gardner's Tennis Ranch in Scottsdale, AZ, or Carmel, CA. He was a long-time (and sometimes long-suffering) Stanford football fan, for years holding season tickets with family and friends, never missing a home game or that important showdown with Cal. Bo and Jean traveled the world frequently and they were regular attendees at the San Francisco Opera and Ballet. He loved following his grandchildren's athletic endeavors and other activities and was very proud of their accomplishments. Bo was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Jean; son, Bryan; daughter, Dana Raisch Klamecki; daughter-in-law, Charlene Raisch; son-in-law, Lawrence Klamecki; son, Doug; former daughter-in-law, Lauren Raisch; and daughter-in-law, Lisa Raisch. His grandchildren are Nicole Raisch, Mitchell Raisch, Hunter Raisch, Lucy Raisch, Tristan Raisch, Cullen Raisch, Trevor Raisch, Kaili Raisch, and Andrew Klamecki. He was given kind and loving care in his final days by Ignacio Moreno, Marieta Wata, Marlyn Fuller, Flor Cortez, Don Llantos, Mark Bazar, Salve Bazar and Linda Klamecki. We all miss him very much. A Memorial Service in Bo's honor will be held March 13, 2008, 4pm at St Andrew's Episcopal Church, 13601 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 2789, Saratoga, CA 95070; or Odyssey Health Care, 1500 Hamilton Ave., Suite 212, Campbell, CA 95008.