Alvin Ziegler Jr.

Alvin Ziegler, Jr. A prominent figure in East Bay activities, Alvin Ziegler, Jr., passed away Friday, January 13th in Orinda, California. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1936, he grew up in Chattanooga where he attended Baylor Military Academy. From there he went to Harvard University until his father's sudden death when he returned home to finish college at Emory University. He then returned to Harvard, obtaining his law degree in l960. Coming West he immediately settled in San Francisco and met and married his beloved wife of 50 years, Isa Mary. He started practicing law in Oakland and continued for 30 years, ultimately forming his own firm. His legal activities were many, beginning as a lecturer with the CEB, then serving as Chair of the Oakland-East Bay Estate Planning Council. He was member of the Governor's Committee on Incorporation. He helped write the first Disability Rights Bill for DREDF in Berkeley (refusing an invitation to the Rose Garden signing because of his disapproval of the presiding Washington administration). His charitable activities included serving as President of the Board of the Boys' Club of Oakland and as a Trustee to several boards: Alta Bates Foundation, Clausen House and the Graduate Theological Union. He was a member of the Knights of St. John and the 100 Club of Oakland. He enjoyed supporting the area's cultural activities and served on the following boards: The Oakland Symphony, Cal Performances and the California Shakespeare Theatre (founding member). Upon retirement he embarked on the happiest time of his life. He became a scholar. Reading and learning at University of California was a passion. He intensely pursued the study of Attic Greek in order to read from original sources. Alvin enjoyed sharing facts, especially history but he could also tell a joke, enjoy a good wine or muse about sharing a plane seat with Eleanor Roosevelt or lunching with Robert Frost or even being born in the same hospital as Isa Mary. He is survived by their three children, Alvin Ziegler of San Francisco, Ashley Ziegler of Oakland and Knox Ziegler of Berkeley and two grandchildren. He belonged to Phi Beta Kappa, the Berkeley Faculty Club and the Orinda Country Club. A memorial will be held on February 7 at 4 PM. Donations: Department of Classics, UC Berkeley or Amnesty International. No flowers.