Thomas Haven

Thomas E. Haven Thomas Edward Haven of Atherton, California passed away peacefully on December 25, 2011. Except for the years he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Tom lived his entire 91 years in California. Tom was born in Oakland on August 25, 1920 and grew up under the loving guidance of his parents, Thomas Comfort and Ermine (Sala) Haven and with his younger sister, Ursula. After attending elementary and high school in Berkeley, Tom spent his college years at U.C. Berkeley, graduating in 1941. At Berkeley, Tom was a member of Hammer & Coffin and Alpha Delta Sigma (national honor societies), on the managerial staff of the California Pelican, and the drummer in a jazz band called "Tommy Haven and the Hoof Hecklers." Tom met Carol, his future wife, while enjoying another college pastime, playing bridge. Upon graduation from U.C. Berkeley, Tom enlisted in the United States Navy. Tom began his career as a navel officer teaching navigational geometry at the University of Notre Dame. He served the balance of his navel service in the Pacific Theatre. After his service in World War II, Tom returned to his studies, graduating from Stanford University Law School in 1948. On Christmas Eve 1942 Tom married Carol Mae Goeppert. After the War Tom and Carol settled in Menlo Park where they raised their three children. Carol passed away in 1978, all too soon for everyone who knew and loved her. Tom was admitted to the California Bar in 1949 and began his legal career as law clerk to Chief Judge William Denman, United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. In 1950 he was hired as an associate by the San Francisco Law firm of Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro (now Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman). Tom remained at Pillsbury, becoming a Partner in 1961 and retiring in 1985. While Tom resolved a variety of legal problems for his clients, much of his work dealt with international legal issues surrounding Middle East Oil during the turbulent 1960s and 70s. In the mid 1970s, Tom represented Standard Oil of California in the TOPCO/Calasiatic v. Libya arbitration and appeal, upholding an award for Standard Oil and Texaco against Libya after Muammar Gaddafi's 1973-74 nationalization of the property of international oil companies in Libya. From 1981 until his retirement in 1985 Tom spent much of his time in The Hague, representing individuals and corporations before the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal. The Tribunal, created as a part of the settlement of the Iran hostage crisis, settles property claims arising from the Iranian Revolution. Tom was an enthusiastic member of the Foothills Tennis and Swimming Club and thoroughly enjoyed tennis with friends well into his 80's. Tom is survived by his sister Ursula Gallichotte, niece Ursula Gallichotte and husband Jim; daughter Patricia (Haven) Byrne, grandchildren Jason and Caroline Byrne; son Charles Edward Haven and wife Jean, grandson Tom Haven and wife Christine; granddaughter Julie (Haven) Barton and husband Scott, great grandchildren Katie and Olivia Barton; son Thomas Haven and wife Sara Haven Ames, granddaughter Jessamyn Clark and husband David, and great granddaughter Kinley Clark. The family gratefully acknowledges the loving care provided by Ualolo Taukeiaho, Angie Pale and Tisola Raass. Each was far more than a helper and employee. Tom was bright, witty and unfailingly generous to friends, family and a variety of humanitarian causes that touched his heart or ignited his strong sense of duty. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched.