Art

Art was a translator/interpretor in during his time in Viet Nam. Even more than 30 years later, he could still call up few key phrases. 

Raised in the Richmond district of San Francisco, after his tour he and his wife relocated to across the bay to the small community of Rodeo. They started a family in that house, and still live there today. 

Retired now, both Art and his wife had long careers teaching in Catholic schools in the city of Richmond. Art worked at Wells Fargo for a stint, but returned to teaching youth. 

If he looks extra happy in this picture, that's because he's looking forward to seeing his 3.5 month old grandson over Thanksgiving. Congratulations Art- may you and your wife be blessed with many more beautiful grandchildren. 

In Memorium: Douglas Michael Baisch

My friend Randi recently lost her father.  My family is familiar with the heavy-hearted feeling of that loss, and though it is not as fresh with us, it is remains sorrowful.  After Viet Nam, Douglas built a thriving life and surrounded himself loving family and friends.  Thank you for your service, Douglas; you've positively affected many people around you and even more you've never met.  A true testament to what a veteran can achieve long after his enlistment. Rest in peace.

Below is his family's memory of him, posted with permission:

A great man passed away on Monday, November 18, 2013. He wasn't famous or a billionaire, he was simply a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend that no one had a single bad thing to say about. For forty-four years of marriage, Douglas Michael Baisch was a devoted, loving, supportive husband. As a father, he never missed any opportunity to be with his children and he always set a great example of what a real man should be. He had the same love and commitment to his three grandchildren and would have had even more to give for the second granddaughter he was expecting. He was a lifelong Dodger fan that frequented Chavez Ravine, loved hitting the poker tables and was always up for a vacation whether it be to a far off destination or simply a weekend away. He was very proud of the four years he served for his country overseas in the Navy during the Vietnam War and was very patriotic.

For twenty years, Doug loved his work at Quality Packaging & Supplies in Oxnard as both an owner and a salesman. He truly enjoyed the people he worked with including his vendors and customers. Sales was his calling and he was great at it. He never met a single person he couldn't talk to and he was quick to make a friend. He had a story or a joke for every occasion. Everyone he met not only felt important to Doug's life, they were important. Doug was always willing to lend a hand in golf tournaments, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus and many local charities. 

He will truly be missed by his wife Andrea, children Randi Friday (Brad), Curtis Baisch (Frances), grandchildren Ethan and Alicia Baisch and Casey Friday. He was preceded in death by his son Christy, his mother Elsie and his father Ewald. He is survived by his three sisters: Sharon Morris, Lynda Baisch and Paula Wood as well as two nephews, a niece and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Doug's name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (https://www.michaeljfox.org/). There will be no funeral per Doug's last wishes, however, there will be a celebration of his life on a date to be determined.