Category Archives: In Memoriam/Final Notes

Final Note: Esther Klein Roth

Note TreeLife Member. Piano
10/17/1916 – 3/2/2015

by Jacqueline Rankin, daughter

Esther Klein Roth, a classical pianist and long-time life member of Local 47, died March 2, 2015, at the age of 98. Esther was a child prodigy whose teachers included Olga Steeb, Alfred Mirovitch, and Alexis Kall. Josef Hofmann, the eminent pianist and director of the Curtis Institute of Music heard her play and urged her to attend the Institute, but she had to pass up this opportunity because of the hard economic times. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Ralph R. Gold, M.D. “The Jazz Doc”

Dr GoldHonorary Member
11/23/1925 – 4/2/2015

by Heather Gold, wife

Ralph R. Gold, M.D., affectionately aka “The Jazz Doc,” Honorary Local 47 Musicians’ Union Member since 2002, died April 2, 2015, in Rancho Mirage, CA. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nov. 23, 1925, he began playing bass at L.A. High School and played with the L.A. All-City High-school Orchestra and was principal bassist with the Peter Merenblum California Youth Symphony two of his high-school years. After a stint in the Navy, he had dance bands all through his undergraduate years at UCLA and later at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, getting his M.D. in 1953. He also played two seasons with the Doctors’ Symphony. He had an equal passion for running and was a cross-country runner starting in high-school, also at UCLA, and while there, was a record-holding half-miler. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Ray Acton

Ray ActonLife Member. French Horn
(8/8/1921 – 12/7/2014)

by the Acton family

Raymond Denny Acton, an accomplished French horn player and manufacturing engineer has passed away at 93. Ray was born in Roundup, Montana and was the youngest of four children. Ray was very passionate about music and developed a love for the French horn at a very young age playing in his elementary school band in Phoenix. After moving to Hollywood, he continued playing the French horn at Fairfax High School. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Robert Clay Searles

Note TreeLife Member. Vibraphone
5/16/1916 – 7/13/2014

By Jim Bigsby, nephew

Bob was born in Everett, WA, and grew up in Tacoma, WA, where he often had the lead role in Stadium High School’s musicals. In the summer of 1936 he drove his little Austin 1,500 miles south carrying his vibes on its back in wooden cases built by his father. Continue reading →

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Remembering Candi

candi portraitIn December 2014, Local 47 lost one of the most loyal, hard-working, and sweet employees we’ve ever known.

Longtime computer systems administrator Candi Busapavanij passed away peacefully at her home during the night of Dec. 16, 2014. Her sudden loss was a sudden shock to us all, as she had been responding well to cancer treatment and planning to return to the Local in the spring. Just a few days before, friends described her as feeling happy, active and energetic. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Gabriel Sampson Williams Sr.

Gabriel WilliamsLife Member. Drums
5/16/1912 – 2/20/2015

by the Williams family

Gabriel Williams was the youngest of four children born to Benjamin and Mamie Williams (siblings: Edina, Faye, and Benjamin Jr.). This date, May 16, 1912 was earmarked as a “great event” in the Williams’ household. He was a warm and considerate child, and grew into a kind, hardworking adult. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Harold ‘Hal’ Clifford Poffenroth

Note TreeLife Member. String Bass
12/25/1919 – 2/26/2015

By the Poffenroth family

Hal was born on Christmas day in 1919 in Endicott Washington to John and Mae Poffenroth. Mae, was also born on Christmas day. Hal always said, “If it’s good enough for Jesus it’s good enough for me.” Continue reading →

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