Philip Toll Hill, Jr., (April 20, 1927 August 28, 2008 Phil Hill, American F1 Champion, Dies at 81 MONTEREY, California — Phil Hill, the first American to win the Formula 1 world driving championship, has died at age 81, but he'll be remembered for far more than his driving exploits. Hill popularized sports car racing in the U.S. during the 1950s and '60s, was instrumental in the rise of vintage car restorations in America, and had been an influential part of American car culture for more than 50 years.

Hill passed away on Thursday morning in Monterey, where he had been hospitalized following the Pebble Beach weekend August 16-17. He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease for some years, but had insisted on attending Monterey this year because his long-time racing friend Dan Gurney was being honored at The Quail. He enjoyed a long and storied career — culminating in the Formula 1 World Driving Championship in 1961 — during the most dangerous era of motor sports without suffering a single serious injury. He was 81.

Phil Hill was the first American to win a Formula 1 race, the first American to conquer the 24 Hours of Le Mans and one of only two Americans — Mario Andretti being the other — to be crowned F1 champion. Yet this glittering record was hardly the measure of the man. Hill also co-founded one of the country's most reputable restoration shops for vintage cars, regularly contributed stories to Road & Track and served perennially as a judge at the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance. He was both a legitimate player and an influential observer, and from his singular vantage point, he was uniquely able to instill in successive generations of Americans an appreciation for racing and the historic cars that were his lifelong passion.

Those who met him late in his life would find it hard to believe how handsome and powerful he'd been in his heyday, and the nervous agitation he customarily exhibited belied the courage required to brave the perils of the Carrera Panamericana, the Nürburgring Nordschleife, and the banking at Monza. In an age when Formula 1 is everything in the road racing world, Hill's three Grand Prix triumphs may seem paltry. But he also won three times at Le Mans. And don't forget the victories at Sebring and Daytona, in Can-Am and on the original Pebble Beach road course, not to mention the land speed records he set at Bonneville. And how many drivers can say they won their first race (in a supercharged MG TC on a half-mile oval) and their last race (at Brands Hatch in the Chaparral 2F)?

Raised in Santa Monica, Hill was one of the young, speed-happy Californians who discovered imported sports cars after World War II. But to Hill, a racecar was more than a mere mechanical contrivance. As a boy, he'd learned to love the majestic American classics of the prewar epoch, and he never lost his appreciation for how they worked and what they represented. A few years after Hill retired from racing, he teamed up with Ken Vaughn to create what was then the nation's most prestigious restoration firm.

During the next decade, Hill & Vaughn established the template — and set the standard — for the shops that proliferate to this day. Two of Hill's own cars won Best of Show honors at Pebble Beach. It's no coincidence that Hill served as a judge at this, the country's premier concours, no fewer than 40 times. Hill also collaborated with his great friend John Lamm to write scores of articles for Road & Track about the most memorable cars of the past century. Like Hill, these stories were honest without ever becoming accusatory, erudite without ever seeming pedantic. And as often as not, the cars he wrote about were analogues for Hill himself — rare classics never to be made again, but never to be forgotten. What this means to you: One of the most respected and well-liked drivers of the classic era, Phil Hill had much to do with the American car culture we know today. — Preston Lerner, Correspondent

My grandfather, Van Ness Leavitt, graduated from Samohi in either '24 or '25 (he passed away just a year or two ago).

My grandmother, Patricia Rheinshield (Leavitt is her married name), graduated in '29 or '30 (thereabouts).

Elizabeth Anne Longaker Kahlenberg, beloved wife of Arnold Kahlenberg, died of bone cancer Sunday, September 13, 1998 in Willingboro, NJ. She was 69. Born in Topeka, Kansas, Mrs. Kahlenberg was a longtime resident of Denver, CO, and Santa Monica, CA, before moving east with her husband in 1974. She was a 1947 Graduate of Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica, CA, playing drums in the band and piano with several other groups. She also attended City College. Elizabeth also enjoyed playing the organ and was a longtime church organist at the Church of God in Culver City.

She was married to Jack Bergal for 20 years and they had two daughters. After she and Jack were separated, Elizabeth worked for Litton for many years, where she met her Arnold, then worked for Computer Sciences Corporation in Virginia Beach, VA, and Moorestown, NJ. for 11 years before becoming disabled.

In addition to her husband, Arnold, Mrs. Kahlenberg is survived by 2 daughters and sons-in-law: Monica & Stephen Lange of Long Beach, CA, and Barbara & Donald Davison of Yardville; 2 Step-sons: Michael & David Price, both of Antioch, CA; grandchildren Mai Lan Woods, James Carroll, Eric Weldon, Michael Carroll, Michael Lange, Jackie Price, and Jonathan Price; great-grandchildren Tyler Weldon and Melanie Woods. Also surviving are
a brother in Florida and 3 sisters in Denver, CO.

Despite her physical problems, she didn't let them get her down. She maintained her bright and cheery disposition and love of people up to the end, and attended a family reunion in Denver in July.

Benjamin F. (Ben) McKinney, Frisco, TX and Gig Harbor, WA passed away on Friday, May 19, 2000.

Born August 6, 1923 in Warren, PA, Mr. McKinney grew up in Santa Monica, CA; and married in 1947 to wife Shirley June (Marsden) McKinney. He also lived in Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Dallas, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Tucson, AZ; and Westcliffe, CO.

Mr. McKinney was a prominent businessman, entrepreneur and patron of charitable causes for many years.

His business career in the metals industry spanned over 40 years. During this time, he was primarily associated with the Glass, Paint, and Battery Industries. In 1973 after 23 years with a well known Non-Ferrous Metals Refinery he formed his own company, Oxide and Chemical Corporation in Indiana. As Chairman and CEO until his retirement and sale of this company in 1990, he was credited with several patents along with serving as a Director of the LIA and a committee member for over 25 years In the Battery Council International.

The many charities that Mr. McKinney was associated with were always a private matter with him but he never turned away a request. Pride in what he accomplished was only surpassed by his love of his family, God and his service to his country.

He served with distinction in the U.S. Navy in WWII on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Guadalcanal, which was accredited with capturing a German submarine intact during World War II.

As an avid hunter, sport fisherman, and golfer, he participated in various clubs. He was a long time member at Highland Golf and Country Club, Country Club of Indianapolis, and a Charter Member of the Skyline Club.

When it came to his family, he was a loving and giving father and will he missed by them all. He is survived by his wife, Shirley June (Marsden) McKinney of Frisco, TX; Sisters, Marianne McKinney Pardee (Class of '43) (married to Doug Pardee - Class of '40) of Rancho Santa Fe, CA; and Betty Rosenquist of Williamsville, NY; Sons Jefty McKinney of Indianapolis, IN; and Damian McKinney of Long Beach, CA; along with his daughters Linda B. King of Indianapolis IN, Jacque Kirsh of Indianapolis IN, Michele Gentis (married to Ian Gentis - Class of ‘73) of Germantown TN, Shannon Phillips of Westcliffe CO, and Toni Henke of Frisco TX. Also 18 Grandchildren and 3 Great grandchildren.

This is to inform you of the death of my husband on 21 October 2002. John M. Murphy. I am Shirley D. GUTCHER Murphy (class of 1952)

Our 50th wedding anniversary would have been on 20 February 2003. John served in the U.S. Army in the Korean conflict. We have three children and five grandchildren. Our first great grandchild is due in March of 2003. He had hoped to hold off the cancer long enough to celebrate our anniversary and to see his first great grandchild. He loved golf and enjoyed the game with his friends. His best friend George Nichol (class of 1948) since child hood and his wife Marlene Kennedy/ Nichol (class of 1953) remain our closest friends. Marlene and I met when we were in the Sergeanettes in 1950/ 51. She introduced me to her boyfriends (George Nichol) best friend John Murphy at the Redondo football game. John played baseball and football at Samohi.

He retired from GTE in 1987. He was that rare individual "a good and honest man". John loved all animals, particularly dogs. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Frederick Noel, passed away at the age of 77 early Sunday morning October 29th 2006 at his home in Twentynine Palms, CA where he lived for 12 years.

Born October 25, 1929 and raised in Santa Monica, he graduated Santa Monica High School in 1947 then joined the U.S. Army, discharged in 1949 with the rank of Staff SGT. Married Rae Marie (Glasscock) Noel (class of 1947) on June 18, 1948; He was accepted into the Architectural Curriculum at University of California at Berkeley, graduating in 1953. A 40 year resident of Santa Barbara, in which his family moved to in 1955 where he completed his internship, was licensed in 1958.

He served as President of the Santa Barbara Chapter, American Institute of Architects. He was also elected to the Executive Committee of the AlA, California Council. He served for 14 years as member and chairman of the City of Santa Barbara Architectural Review Committee. Appointed to the California State Board of Architectural Examiners. Historical Society of Twentynine Palms architect for the restoration of the "Old School House" Museum.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years Rae Marie Noel, daughters Christine Conners and her husband Rick of Tumalo, OR. Tera Bottorff and her Husband Ron of Twentynine Palms, CA. Susan Taylor and her husband Bob of Sandy, UT. and his son Gregory Noel of Colorado Springs, CO. -- 8 grandchildren and 3 great grand children Also survived by his brother Harvey Noel of Lancaster, CA. and sister Andrine Keeler of Roseburg, OR.

Mary Wade Curtis passed away rather suddenly in March of 2008 after a very short bout with a cancerous tumor of the brain. She died in Los Alamitos Memorial Hospital in California surrounded at her bedside by her loving family. Mary was born in Ute, Iowa on July 11, 1922 to Chester and Ruth Wade. She was 85 years old when she passed away. Although her given name was Mary she preferred to be called Billie by her friends and relatives. She came by the name ´Billie¡ because her parents called her their little Billie Girl when she was a baby. The Wade family moved to Santa Monica in 1936 at which time Billie became a student at SAMOHI. Billie was much admired for her natural beauty, which was more than just skin deep; it radiated from deep within. Everyone who ever knew her loved her. After graduating from SAMOHI with the summer class of ‘39 she attended SMJC and worked for the Telephone Co. in Santa Monica. In later years she worked part time for The Broadway in Torrance for 10 years. She retired from The Broadway in 1986. In 1943 she married Les Curtis who was also a SAMOHI graduate of the summer class of ‘39. Together they had three children: Carol Trenary of Cypress, California; Donna Slingerland of San Ramon, California and Bill Curtis of Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Billie was preceded in death by her son Bill Curtis in January 2003, her husband Les Curtis in April 2003 and her brother Chet Wade in October 2007. In addition to the two daughters mentioned above, Billie is survived by a brother, Ron Wade; 8 grandchildren (6 boys and 2 girls) plus 5 great grandchildren. After the death of her husband Billie lived alone in her house in Torrance, California until she passed away unexpectedly in March of 2008. She was an immaculate housekeeper and from the time she became a widow until she passed away she kept the inside and outside of her home in beautiful condition. Everyone who knew her considered this a remarkable accomplishment especially for a woman in her eighties. Billie kept in touch with several of her surviving SAMOHI classmates of 1939. One of which was her brother in law, Bud Gaston, who lives in Spokane, Washington. Bud had been married to her husband’s sister (Marcia Curtis ‘39) for 57 years. Billie also maintained a close relationship with Edna and Merrill Clark ‘39 meeting with them regularly at a restaurant in Palos Verdes, CA.