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William Drum Obituary
Drum, Jr. Born March 14, 1939 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to William and Carolyn Drum, Bill attended Menlo Atherton High School and graduated from Stanford University with the class of 1961. He married Joan Moffitt of Alameda on September 15, 1962 at the Stanford Church. After a short time in Livermore, they settled in Piedmont in 1972 where they raised their two daughters: Fredericka Seale Drum (Mrs. Eric Gorham) and Francesca Smith Drum (Mrs. Matthew Davies).
After receiving his MPH from the UC School of Public Health, Bill spent most of his career in administration at various Northern California hospitals and the hospital services industry.
Family include his sister Lynn Drum of Sacramento, cousin Mary Kennedy of San Francisco, sons-in-law Eric Gorham and Matt Davies, and four dear grandchildren: Grace and Charlotte Davies of Oakland CA and Christopher and Meredith Gorham of Lafayette, CA.
William loved his family, friends, community and his pastimes of skiing, bridge, gardening, traveling and music. A celebration of his life is planned for Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Piedmont Community Church.
Donations to the Piedmont Educational Foundation or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Drum
Marty Diamond
January 7, 2026
Bill was a very thoughtful, kind and intelligent person. He had a wonderful dry wit and his sense of humor birghtened everyone's day. So did his integrity. I miss him and will always think of him as a noble and caring person.
Cassandra Clark
January 30, 2013
So sad to learn of Bill's passing. We worked together at Eden Medical Center for many years. Funny, I moved into his office after he left, and I always thought it was my good fortune to be there with his good spirit! He was a good man, always there with a smile and support. We last saw each other in November to tour the new hospital, and he was so complimentary of everything. We even had a chance to go over to the old building to say goodbye and sign the wall before its demolition. All of us at Eden who knew Bill are saddened by his passing, but grateful for the opportunity to know and work with him. Rest in peace.
Jesse, Bridgette & Bryan Wells
January 27, 2013
There are no words to express what his loss means to our family. Our love is with you.
Denis Mathewson
January 23, 2013
Billy's zest for life and it's enjoyment to the fullest was contagious. I recently gave a talk about him to a school volunteer group which only heightened my feeling of loss. He was a great friend. I will always miss him.
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January 17, 2013
I am so sad to learn of Bill's death. Just a little over a year ago we re= connected through Facebook. We were first cousins but distance kept our lives a part. His father and my mother were siblings. We lived in New York, and he in California. The only time I remember meeting was in the summer when we were teenagers and my family drove to Calirornia by car. We had a wonderful time in San Francisco with his family. My uncle Bill came to New York to give me away when I married in 1965, as my father had died the year before. My mother and whole family loved Uncle Bill. He was a gem of a person, and I could tell cousin Bill was too, and told him how he reminded me of his dad. He was very happy about that. I mourn for the missed time with my cousin, but I am grateful that we reconnected. My heart goes out to Bill's wife, daughters, sons in law, grandchildren and to my cousin Lynn.
Judy Anderson Grabel
St. Louis, Missouri and Pensacola Beach,florida
Bill in about 2000 at the HealthPlus office
Don Whiteside
January 17, 2013
Nancy Cohrs
January 17, 2013
What long-ago fond memories of both of you this obit stirred, Joan. Gads, we had fun! Along with sadness, my love.
Beau Carter
January 16, 2013
I have such wonderful memories of Bill from my days at the Hospital Council of Northern California. We all tried to imitate his deep voice, announcing ourselves as "I AM BILLLLL DRUMM!" Plus how could one forget his year of "a new word a day" from some calendar I think. My favorite was "discommode" -- I mean, c'mon, no one says "discommode" -- but we found ways to use it in sentences for weeks on end. If I could make it to the Piedmont Community Church tomorow, which I can't, this is what I would have said. That, and that he was a person of great integrity and no small degree of self-effacing humor, both of which I admire immensely.
Joan Drum
January 16, 2013
The Drum family is overwhelmed by the love and respect that the community had for William. Thank you all.
Don Whiteside
January 16, 2013
I will miss Bill greatly. He was a rare and wonderful man. We worked together for years, and nearly every thing he ever advised me on was "spot on". His love of his family, community, and the healthcare industry was a model for all of us. My deepest sympathy to Joan and the rest of his family.
Marty Diamond
January 15, 2013
I met Bill years ago when he was affiliated with the hospital association's regional office. He was a person of great integrity, forthrightness, intellect. And, his quick wit and wry humor created moments of delight because his remarks seemed to punctuate moments of serious conversation.
His recovery from serious illnesses was inspiring because, from afar, at least, he never complained. He soldiered on.
We have lost a wonderful, caring and humane person who was genuine in every act.
January 15, 2013
I wanted to offer my condolences and a comforting thought. John 3:16- For God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.
Bill Enjoying a Hike
Clifton Louie
January 14, 2013
Clifton Louie
January 14, 2013
Bill was a wonderful friend and a great colleague. I have known Bill for over 30 years. We worked together at Children's Hospital and at UCSF Medical Center. Bill made me laugh and his wit was quick. I will miss our monthly hikes in the East Bay Regional Parks.
I remember one difficult hike where I wanted to quit but Bill encouraged me to continue because the view from the top of the hill would be a sight. Bill was correct. It was grand. Bill knew the name of every bird we saw even the sounds of the birds we did not see. I believe him as he gives me his sly smile.
Heaven is much better with Bill on board. Please save a hike with me when I get there old friend.
James Mitchell
January 14, 2013
Bill and I started as board members for the Piedmont Swim Club at the same time. What was clear is that he had a passion to ensure anything he touched was done correctly and with integrity. He was dedicated to not only the members of the swim club but to all of the residents of Piedmont through his many volunteer jobs including being the chair of the harvest festival. The city lost one of its finest residents and he will be soley missed by many.
Jennifer Anders
January 14, 2013
Our cousin Bill (or "Chub" as he was lovingly called by our family) was a kind, warm, loving man. His loss will be felt by our entire family. He is simply gone too soon. My heartfelt sympathy to Joan, Lynn and his beloved daughters and grandchildren.
Alan Burns
January 14, 2013
Bill was my oldest friend, going back to elementary school in Menlo Park, perhaps as early as 1949. We even were at Stanford together. I'm happy that we got reconnected in recent years and both Patti and I shall sorely miss this sweet fellow.
Julie Bentz
January 14, 2013
So very sorry for your loss. He was such a kind and gentle man. I didn't get to see him often but he was always so warm and welcoming when I did. All of our lives we have heard about mom's (his aunt Mary) time with the family when he was first born and how much she loved him. Our love and prayers are with you all!
Patty White
January 14, 2013
I always enjoyed the time I spent working with Bill on the Harvest Festival. He got things done but with a laugh and a smile. Our community will feel his absence.
Tim Rood
January 14, 2013
Bill was always happy to share his knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for the betterment of the community. He will be greatly missed.
Lynn Drum
January 14, 2013
Bill was a wonderful brother and I will miss him the rest of my life
Owen and Mimi von Kugelgen
January 13, 2013
Bill was a bright, kind and generous family man. We will always remember his big smile, warm personality and signature laugh. We will miss him dearly.
Please let us now if there is anything we can do to help Joan and the rest of the family.
Owen and Mimi von Kugelgen (3 Monte)
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