Lowell Adelson

Lowell Adelson Died peacefully at age 89 on January 14, 2007. He lived a full life and was passionate about his family. Lowell was born and raised in Oakland. He graduated from University High and from Cal Berkeley with a B.S. degree. At age 19 he was elected the national leader (Grand Aleph Gadol) of AZA, a Jewish youth organization. His first job was as an executive with B'nai B'rith in Philadelphia. After serving in the Army overseas during WWII (in the 102nd Infantry Division) and earning a Bronze Star medal, he succeeded in a number of business positions including owning a coffee vending company in San Francisco named "Coffee Time" and ending as a representative at Portsmouth Financial Services. In 1941 Lowell married Ruth Moises of Seattle. Their wonderful union lasted over 50 years before Ruth's untimely death in 1991. Since then he has been blessed with the loving companionship of Rosalie Anixter. Lowell spent most of his free time playing golf, usually at Lake Merced Golf Club, where he served as a president. He also closely followed the activities of his many family members, kept in touch with survivors of his army unit, and supported Cal athletics and alumni events. He has uniformly been described as a man of extraordinary warmth and integrity, invariably upbeat, proud of his heritage and progeny, and an eloquent speaker. He is survived by three children and their spouses: Ken (Karen), Patti (Alan) and Mike (Amy); by five grandchildren (Jen (Kevin), Eliot (Julie), Jeremy, Claire and Tillie); and by four great-grandchildren: (Rylan, Brinley, Josh and Nate). Lowell's beloved mother, Tillie, and his close brother, Vic, predeceased him. The family is grateful for the medical care and comfort provided since Lowell's heart attack in December 2005 by James A. Davis, M.D., Fiona L. Dulbecco, M.D., Peter Pollat, M.D., and caregivers from Rhoda Goldman Plaza and Seniors at Home. Time and again it appeared that Lowell would succumb to his weakened heart, but he repeatedly pulled through with help from these fine people. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2007, at Home of Peace Cemetery located at 1299 El Camino Real in Colma. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lowell's memory may be made to the Lowell Adelson Family Philanthropic Fund c/o Jewish Community Federation, 121 Steuart Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, or to a favorite charity.