Tri-Valley Writers We Remember

Dan Hobbs: 1946-2022

Ellen Aubry: 1947-2021

Ellen is the author of The Great Fiction Book Proposal: Make it Happen, available on Amazon. The work is a guide to writing a book proposal for fiction writers. She graduated from the University of Denver’s Professional Creative Writing Masters’ Program with an emphasis in fiction.  

As a dual member with Tri-Valley Writers, Ellen’s story “Loud and Clear” was published in Voices of the Valley: Journeys (2018).

Jack Russ: ??-2020

In 1951, the Navy sent Ensign Jack Russ to a destroyer-escort serving in the war zone. Jack went on to fly as a carrier jet pilot, including combat action in the Vietnam War. He retired from the Navy as a Captain after thirty years, four commands, and multiple medals and awards. Following retirement, Jack joined the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, then formed a consulting firm after retirement from the Laboratory, and finally returned to his love of writing in his free time. 

The result of this decision is Jack’s debut novel, In Dangerous Waters. Drawing upon his experiences in the Korean War, the novel is an exciting tale of tension, danger, and intrigue that presents a new perspective on the men who waged the war. Jack was a founding member of Tri-Valley Writers.

Hildi Kang: 1934-2019

Hildegarde Kang published almost a dozen books, including children’s and scholarly books. Her most successful was Under the Black Umbrella: Voices from Colonial Korea 1910-1945 (Cornell University Press). Hildi was an Oakland native, but lived for many years in rural New York before returning with her family to California. She also played the cello in the Livermore—Amador Symphony.

Annette Langer: 1943-2019

Annette’s life exemplified her strength through humor. In both her books, Healing through Humor: Change Your Focus, Change Your Life! and A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to the World: Diary of a Fearless Travel Agent, Annette drew on her unfatigable sense of humor to highlight the funny side to some not-so-funny circumstances and to temper the many sobering situations in which she found herself. Her work has also appeared in numerous anthologies.

Albert Rothman: 1924-2018

Albert received first prize in Ina Coolbrith Circle poetry contest and a first prize in a Marguerite A. Sousa Poetry Competition, published in The Poets’ Edge magazine. Other poems and prose pieces have appeared in the Northwoods Journal, the Dan River Anthology, New Horizons, and other anthologies. He was an avid hiker, a source for his poetry and prose on nature and his adventures. His memoir, A Brooklyn Odyssey: Travails And Joys Of A Boy’s Early Life, is a story about a boy growing up in Brooklyn during the Big Depression of the 1930s. 

Guri Essen: 1926-2018

Guri was one of the first to teach computer engineering at both Berkeley and Davis. He holds a patent for a personal computer, the Dinkiac I (dated almost five years prior to the founding of Apple Inc.). During the last years of his life he attended to his true calling, writing fiction. His first novel, String’s Cross, was published in August, 2015.

Reme Pick: 1922-2017

Reme was a survivor of WWII and the invasion of the Japanese in the Philippines. She relayed her harrowing story in her memoir, The Blue Yoke, published in shortly before her passing in 2017. She loved gardening, cooking, playing mahjong, and writing.

Steve Workman: 1950-2016

Steve was a founding member of the Tri-Valley Branch and winner of its first writing contest, The Disbeliever, in 2006. He is published in the 2003 Las Positas Literary Anthology, the 2008 Livermore Literary Harvest, and Voices of the Valley: Encore.

Patricia Holladay: 1934-2014

Patricia was a consummate classical pianist who loved classical music in all forms, and taught generations of piano students in the Livermore Area. She was a writer of stories and essays, and encouraged young writers by donating to TVW’s annual high school writing contest.

Beth Aaland: 1923-2012

Beth self-published her book, Legacy in Words, in 2009 as a Christmas present for her friends and family. Several of her poems and stories have been printed in various anthologies. In addition, Beth published Consequences, a booklet of poems and doodles in 2005 to honor her beloved husband Kris.

Barbara Burton: 1927-2012

Barbara joined Tri-Valley Writers in May of 2011 after she moved to Pleasanton. She was an prolific writer of letters, poetry, and stories, and an active in the STEM Critique Group.

Nancy O’Connell: 1932-2011

Nancy was an author and illustrator, a teacher of art and music, an editor of college literary publications, and a college instructor of “Creative Writing” and “Writing a Book.” Her Take a Camel to Lunch and Other Adventures for Mature Travelersis an adult nonfiction book. Nancy also wrote pictures books for children, and was a mainstay at Tri-Valley Writers’ Open Mic with My Friends.

Kate Wheatman: 1948-2010

Kate was a charter member of CWC Tri-Valley Writers. After a 20+ year career in corporate communications, she and a friend started HomeTown PR in Pleasanton, which specialized in small, local mom-and-pop businesses. Kate was a freelance and travel writer.

Sue Tasker: 1960-2008

Sue was the founder of the Tri-Valley Branch of CWC. Her passion for travel and history lead her writing journey, and inspired her to pursue the idea of starting a writers group in the Pleasanton-Livermore area. As a charter member and its first president, Sue poured her heart and soul into the organization. Sue’s passion inspired TVW to award a biennial award for exemplary volunteerism in Sue’s honor.