Lois Whetstone Abraham and Richard Parker Abraham

Lois Whetstone Abraham & Richard Parker Abraham

Married for nearly 70 years, passed away just days apart in August 2024. Together they balanced successful careers, lifelong friendships, a passion for helping others, and a family life full of love and adventure. Lois was born in San Francisco on November 17, 1933 to William Culver Whetstone and Regina Regli Whetstone. She was valedictorian at Salinas Valley High School and attended Stanford University, graduating cum laude with a BA in English Literature in 1955. She later earned a JD from Arizona State University, graduating magna cum laude in 1973. Lois began her legal career at Brown and Bain in Phoenix and became the state's first female partner. She managed their Palo Alto office for 15 years and litigated high-profile cases for tech giants like Apple, Intel, and IBM. Her notable cases included the Apple v. Franklin software copyright case and the Intel v. NEC microcode case. Her colleagues at Brown and Bain regarded her as vibrant, direct and honest. An article published by the American Lawyer even called her "Saint Lois". Later, she served as an intellectual property arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and retired at age 82. Richard was born in San Francisco on January 16, 1930 to Frances Rose Parker Abraham and Richard James Abraham. A graduate of Lincoln High School, he attended Stanford University, earning both a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering. A standout athlete, Richard was a four-year varsity linebacker and captain of Stanford's football team, known as "The Bear." He also competed in track and rugby. Richard chose a career in technology over the NFL, focusing on the emerging semiconductor industry, where he was at the forefront of designing and scaling modern semiconductor manufacturing. He started at Bell Labs in 1958, then moved to Texas Instruments, Motorola, and finally Silicon Valley in 1972, where he led the Linear Product line at Fairchild Semiconductors. Later, he joined Weeden Capital where he managed their early investment in Cymer Laser. He served on Cymer's Board of Directors and played a key role in establishing the company as a global leader in semiconductor laser technology. They traveled widely and established roots in Taos, NM; Hood Canal, WA; and Margaret River, AU, where they planted a 120 acre vineyard and started a wine company. In retirement, Richard enjoyed wine, books and music, while Lois focused on politics and flying (she obtained her pilot's license at the age of 65). In politics she worked tirelessly to elect Jeff Bingaman (Senate) and Bill Richardson (Governorship) in New Mexico. She co-founded 34 Million Friends of UNFPA, a nonprofit to replace U.S. funds withheld from the UN Family Planning program, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Lois was predeceased by her beloved sister Carol Whetstone Spencer and Dick was predeceased by his beloved sister Frances Abraham Kohler. They are survived by their three children-Bill (Betsy Britton), Anne (Mark Paulsen), and Jane (Sam Worden)-and seven grandchildren (Alison, Monika, Madeline, Nick, Elsa, Sam, and Lucy). They left behind a legacy of love, achievement and generosity, inspiring those who knew them. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Harwood Foundation, UNFPA, Osa Conservation, or a charity of your choice in their memory.