Dr. Dean Turner Burk (1904–1988): Prominent Biochemist and Cancer Researcher

Dr. Dean Burk and Burial Niche

 

Main Mausoleum, Section 12, Crypt Niche 2, Tier 1

Dr. Dean Turner Burk (1904–1988) was a prominent American biochemist and medical researcher, born in Oakland, California. He is best known for co-developing the Lineweaver–Burk plot, a foundational tool in enzyme kinetics, and for his extensive work in cancer research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Burk was the second of four sons of Frederic Lister Burk, the founding president of what is now San Francisco State University. He entered the University of California, Davis at age 15 and transferred a year later to UC Berkeley, where he earned a B.S. in Entomology in 1923. He completed his Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1927. Burk then pursued postdoctoral research at University College London, the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Berlin, and Harvard University, working with Nobel laureates such as A.V. Hill and Otto Warburg.

In 1929, Burk joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory. By 1939, he became a senior chemist at the newly established National Cancer Institute, where he led the cytochemistry laboratory until his retirement in 1974. He co-authored over 250 scientific papers and collaborated closely with Otto Warburg, translating many of Warburg’s works into English

Burk’s notable scientific contributions include:​

• Lineweaver–Burk Plot: Developed in 1934 with Hans Lineweaver, this double-reciprocal plot became a standard method for analyzing enzyme kinetics .​

• Photosynthesis Research: He received the Hillebrand Prize in 1952 for his work on photosynthesis, demonstrating high quantum efficiency in the process.

• Cancer Cell Differentiation: Awarded the Gerhard Domagk Prize in 1965 for developing techniques to distinguish between normal and cancerous cells.

• Medical Imaging: Co-developed a prototype of the Magnetic Resonance Scanner, a precursor to modern MRI technology.

 

After retiring from the NCI, Burk became an outspoken critic of water fluoridation, claiming it was linked to increased cancer mortality. His studies, co-authored with John Yiamouyiannis, were widely criticized for methodological flaws and lack of scientific rigor.

Burk also advocated for the use of Laetrile (amygdalin or "vitamin B17") as a cancer treatment, despite its classification as ineffective and potentially dangerous by the FDA and mainstream medical community. His public support led to reprimands from the NCI, which emphasized that his views did not represent the agency.​

Dean Burk passed away from cancer on October 6, 1988, in Washington, D.C., at the home of his daughter.

Sources: Wikipedia, Find a Grave, Univ of CA Berkeley

William Albee "Bill" Palmer (1911-1996): Pioneering Film and Audio Innovator

 

Bill Albee from 1928 Palo Alto H.S. yearbook and grave marker

Plot 18A

Bill Palmer was a visionary filmmaker, engineer, and audio pioneer whose work helped define the modern media landscape. From his base in San Francisco, Palmer revolutionized industrial and educational filmmaking, co-developed the first American magnetic tape recorder, and proved that a city outside of Hollywood could be a national center for media innovation.

Born in Oakland, California, in 1911, Palmer grew up in Palo Alto and studied engineering at Stanford University. After graduating in 1932, he quickly turned his passion for film and technology into a career. In 1936, at just 25 years old, Palmer founded W.A. Palmer & Co. in San Francisco. What began as a small film production company grew into W.A. Palmer Films, Inc., a leading force in non-theatrical filmmaking.

From the beginning, Palmer showed a deep interest in technical innovation. In the early 1930s, he was one of the first to experiment with synchronized sound on 16mm film. Frustrated by the lack of available technology, he engineered his own sound-on-film camera system. This innovation helped him win a contract to document the construction of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. The film became an industrial classic and cemented his reputation as a serious filmmaker and technician.

During World War II, Palmer’s company was commissioned to produce training films for the U.S. Navy. His team shot in full color aboard aircraft carriers and at military bases around the world, using lightweight 16mm cameras that allowed for flexibility and speed in high-pressure environments. These films were instrumental in quickly training Navy personnel and demonstrated the professional viability of 16mm film.

By war’s end, W.A. Palmer & Co. had produced hundreds of short films. The company also operated a state-of-the-art laboratory for processing and editing film, making it a key resource for Bay Area media producers. At a time when nearly all film infrastructure was in Los Angeles, Palmer built a one-stop shop in San Francisco, helping to establish the city as a serious player in the film industry.

Palmer’s contributions didn’t end with film. In 1946, he began working with Jack Mullin, a fellow engineer and friend, to adapt the German Magnetophon—an early high-fidelity magnetic tape recorder—for American use. Palmer provided the workspace and engineering know-how to help transform the device into something commercially viable in the U.S.

Crooner Bing Crosby 

 

Their breakthrough came when they demonstrated their tape recorder to major studios in Hollywood. Bing Crosby was so impressed that he adopted it to pre-record his national radio show. This marked the first major use of magnetic tape in American broadcasting and revolutionized the radio industry. For the first time, shows could be recorded, edited, and rebroadcast with high fidelity.

Palmer and Mullin’s prototype became the foundation for the Ampex Model 200—the first commercially successful American professional tape recorder. Palmer’s work ushered in the magnetic recording era, paving the way for studio editing, music recording, videotape, and even computer data storage.

Palmer’s company continued to produce hundreds of films over the decades. Notable early projects included the Bay Bridge documentary and promotional films for major industries. During the postwar years, W.A. Palmer & Co. also played a critical role in capturing early television broadcasts. Using his own improved kinescope recording process, Palmer preserved live TV shows on film before videotape was available.

One highlight was the preservation of classical music programs such as “The Standard Hour,” which aired in San Francisco in the early 1950s. These recordings remain valuable artifacts of local television history.

The company also created industrial safety films, advertising reels, educational shorts, and travelogues. Palmer’s clients ranged from corporations and government agencies to television stations and universities. His Belmont-based lab continued to serve local and national clients well into the 1990s.

More than just a filmmaker and inventor, Palmer helped build the Bay Area’s creative infrastructure. He was deeply involved in local arts communities, including the Bohemian Club, and mentored generations of cinematographers, engineers, and editors. His facility was often the first stop for aspiring filmmakers seeking technical help or lab services.

At a time when Hollywood dominated media, Palmer showed that San Francisco could be an independent center for high-quality production and technical innovation. His legacy lives on in the region’s strong documentary, tech, and media arts scenes.

Palmer’s impact on film and audio technology is difficult to overstate. He was a pioneer of synchronized sound for 16mm film, a wartime documentarian, a trailblazer in television preservation, and a co-inventor of magnetic tape recording in the United States.

He was named a Fellow of the Audio Engineering Society and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers for his technical achievements. His inventions helped change the way the world recorded and shared information, and his films preserved some of the most important moments in California’s mid-century development.

Palmer continued working into his eighties and remained deeply involved in his company until his death in 1996 at the age of 85. His life exemplifies the creative spirit that has always defined San Francisco: an intersection of art, innovation, and a belief in doing things differently.

---

Sources: Palo Alto online, GaryCoates.net, SFGate, Society, Audio Engineer Society, Palo Alto H.S. yearbook

Hilda Van Brunt Abbott (1896–1985): World War I "Hello Girl"

 

Hilda Van Brunt Abbott and Gravesite

 

Hildegarde “Hilda” Van Brunt was born on July 26, 1896, in Alameda County, California​. Her parents were William Rogers Van Brunt and Juliette Louise Sellier Van Brunt, who are also buried in this plot. Hilda grew up bilingual – her mother was French-born, which later proved invaluable. In California, she received an education and was attending college when World War I broke out. Fluent in French and English, she answered the U.S. Army’s call for bilingual telephone operators in 1918. This decision would take her from the West Coast to the battlefields of Europe.

During World War I, Hilda Van Brunt served as one of the pioneering “Hello Girls,” the first women officially sworn into the U.S. Army Signal Corps as telephone operators. After a brief training in San Francisco, she sailed for France in April 1918 as part of the second unit of women sent overseas. Stationed in cities like Tours and later near the front, she wore the Army Signal Corps uniform and an operator’s armband, connecting calls between American and French military commands. Her fluency in French made her an asset – she not only swiftly connected calls (often in under 10 seconds, far faster than untrained soldiers) but also acted as a translator on the line. Hilda and her fellow operators endured long hours and occasional danger from bombardment, handling millions of calls that coordinated troop movements and contributed significantly to the war effort​. She later recalled knowing in advance about the Armistice and joining in the celebrations when the war ended in November 1918​. After the Armistice, Hilda stayed on in Europe, serving with the American Peace Commission during the Versailles negotiations, and finally returned to the United States in 1920.

WWI "Hello Girl" poster

Back home, Hilda resumed her personal life. She married William Latham Abbott Jr. in the early 1920s and settled in Wisconsin, first in Oshkosh and later in the Milwaukee area​. Around this time, she also returned to college to finish her degree​. Hilda and William had two children – a son and a daughter​. Her son, William L. Abbott III, went on to serve in the U.S. military during World War II (thankfully, he was never deployed overseas)​. As a young wife and mother, Hilda balanced family life with a spirit of service and community involvement.

In her later years, Hilda Van Brunt Abbott became a respected community leader in Milwaukee. She managed the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin for 26 years, retiring from that post in 1964​. She remained active in veterans’ and women’s service organizations; in fact, she gave an extensive oral history interview in 1983 as part of the Women’s Overseas Service League’s efforts to preserve the memories of World War I volunteers​. Notably, Hilda was among the “Hello Girls” who fought for decades to be recognized as veterans. Upon returning in 1919, the women were initially denied veteran status and benefits – the Army classified them as civilian contractors despite their oaths and uniforms. It was not until 1977, nearly 60 years after their service, that Congress passed legislation to retroactively acknowledge the Hello Girls as official World War I veterans​. Hilda lived to see this honor; she was in her 80s when she finally received her long-awaited discharge papers and recognition for her service. She died in Milwaukee on December 18, 1985, at the age of 89​, one of the last surviving Hello Girls.

Sources: Find a Grave, Michigan State Univ Archives, WisPolitics.com, WisconsinLife.org, Green Bay Press Gazette, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 

Charles "Carl" Schiffeler (1891-1943): Operatic Baritone; Burial Site Became News Story

 

Plot 33

Charles "Carl" Schiffeler was a mid-20th-century opera singer who lies in the Wintermute family vault below “Millionaires’ Row.” He was born in Dusseldorf, Germany on May 15, 1891.

Schiffeler was the son of a German baron, yet he made his own name on the operatic stages of Germany, France and the United States. A bass-baritone, he notably performed the role of Wotan in Wagner’s Ring Cycle. He made the famous aria "Wotan's Farewell ("Leb' wohl...)" his calling card, which he frequently performed in recital, including at the Oakland Auditorium Theater. He met his future wife Marjorie Winternute, while singing the piece in 1938. 

After performing in Europe, he came to the U.S. where he initially performed with the Chicago Opera Company. The company operated from 1940 to 1946, staging six seasons at the Civic Opera House. It emerged from the remnants of the bankrupt Chicago City Opera Company. Despite efforts, it ultimately succumbed to financial difficulties and ceased operations in 1946.  

He performed Wotan's Farewell on a concert program with the Bay Region Symphony, which performed in Northern California in the mid-20th century. The program included the unofficial U.S. premiere of Hindemith's "Mathis der Maler." He also performed Beethoven's 9th Symphony with the company. 

In 1936, he performed the villain in Franz Lehar's "The Gypsy Baron" at San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House, which is listed as his California debut. 

His obituary states that he died unexpectedly on July 22, 1943. 

In 2003, a notable dispute arose concerning the Wintermute Family Mausoleum when John W. Schiffeler, the grandson of Dr. George Wintermute. attempted to sell the family mausoleum by placing a "for sale" sign on its window. His intention was to convert the mausoleum into a more liquid asset. The cemetery management informed Schiffeler that while the mausoleum technically belonged to the family, selling it would entail significant logistical and financial challenges. These included costs associated with surveying, opening, removing, reburying remains, and preparing the vault for new owners. Such expenses could potentially outweigh any financial benefits from the sale. The asking price was $250,000.

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, San Mateo Times, Oakland Tribune, Flickr, Berkeley Daily Gazette, Ancestry.com

Charles D. Bates (1872–1945): Founder & First President of Peralta Hospital

Sarcophagus of Charles D. Bates

Main Mausoleum

Charles D. Bates was a distinguished civic leader, contractor, and healthcare pioneer in Northern California. Born in 1872 in Oakland, Bates dedicated his life to both community development and public service, leaving an enduring legacy through his contributions to infrastructure and healthcare in the region.Bates had a successful career as a contractor, overseeing major construction projects that shaped Northern California’s landscape. Among his most notable achievements was his involvement in building the University of California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, a landmark project that showcased his expertise in large-scale engineering and construction. His work on such projects reflected his commitment to advancing the region’s infrastructure.

In 1928, Bates founded Peralta Hospital in Oakland, California, and became its first president. Collaborating with local physicians, he played a pivotal role in establishing the hospital as a vital healthcare provider for the community. Under his leadership, Peralta Hospital became a cornerstone of medical care in Oakland, offering essential services and setting the foundation for its future growth and success. Bates’s dedication to healthcare extended beyond administration; he worked tirelessly to ensure that the hospital met the needs of its patients and contributed to the well-being of the community.

Peralta Hospital has undergone several mergers over the decades. In 1982, it merged with Samuel Merritt Hospital to form the Merritt-Peralta Medical Center. This entity then combined with Providence Hospital in 1992, resulting in the creation of Summit Medical Center. Finally, in 1999, Summit Medical Center merged with Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley, leading to the formation of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. Today, the former site of Peralta Hospital is part of the Summit Campus of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.

Peralta Hospital on a 1930s matchbook cover

Outside of his professional endeavors, Bates was known for his personal interests and civic engagement. In his youth, he was an avid sportsman and achieved championship titles in tennis, reflecting his competitive spirit and passion for athletics. He also actively participated in numerous community projects aimed at improving the quality of life for Northern California residents.

In recognition of his contributions to healthcare and education, a medical library was named in his honor in 1940. This tribute highlighted his lasting impact on public health and learning in the region. Bates’s generosity and dedication to civic welfare earned him widespread respect and admiration from colleagues and community members alike.

Charles D. Bates passed away at the age of 73 in 1945. He is not related to Alta Bates, a nurse who had a hospital named for her.

Roscoe Jones (1880-1952): First President of Oakland Port Commission

Grave Marker for Roscoe Jones

Plot 52C, Lot 139

Roscoe D. Jones was a distinguished attorney and civic leader in Oakland, California, renowned for his significant contributions to the city's development. Born in the late 19th century, Jones dedicated over four decades to the legal profession, practicing law in Oakland for 44 years. 

In 1927, Jones was appointed as one of the inaugural members of the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners, a body established to oversee and revitalize the city's waterfront operations. Serving alongside notable figures such as former California Governor Dr. George Pardee and department store owner H.C. Capwell, Jones was entrusted with transforming the Port of Oakland into a self-sustaining entity. 

Under Jones's leadership as the first president of the board, the Port of Oakland achieved remarkable financial turnaround. Prior to the board's formation, the municipal harbor had incurred annual losses amounting to $400,000. However, within a year of the independent board's stewardship, the port began generating sufficient revenue to cover its expenses, marking the beginning of its long-standing self-sufficiency. In 1927, he was chosen to escort world-renowned aviator Charles Lindbergh at an event honoring him and his plane The Spirit of St. Louis.

Jones's dedication to public service extended beyond his legal practice and port leadership. He was actively involved in various civic initiatives aimed at improving Oakland's infrastructure and community well-being. His commitment to the city's progress left an indelible mark on its history.

Roscoe D. Jones passed away on July 4, 1952.

Stuart Samuel Hawley (1883–1941): Original Port of Oakland Board Member

Stuart & Harriet Hawley

Main Mausoleum

Stuart Samuel Hawley was a prominent Bay Area capitalist, civic leader, and early architect of East Bay infrastructure and commerce. Born in 1883, he was a lifelong resident of the Oakland-Piedmont area and became widely known for his leadership in finance, real estate, and public service.

Hawley served as president of the Hawley Investment Company, Pacific Metals Company, and the Alameda Investment Company, and as vice president and manager of the R.W. Meese Estate Company. He also held a director position at the American Trust Company, establishing himself as a key figure in East Bay business and finance.

A committed civic leader, Hawley was appointed in 1925 as a founding board member of the Port of Oakland, following a citywide charter amendment that created the semi-autonomous agency. His service from 1925 to 1927 helped lay the foundation for the Port’s modern governance and the administration of publicly owned tidelands. 

Beyond the Port, he was also active in campaigns to improve regional transportation systems and civic facilities. Known for his behind-the-scenes influence, Hawley worked to build consensus and implement lasting improvements across the East Bay.

He was deeply involved in the social and club life of the area, serving as past president of the Athens Athletic Club and maintaining memberships in the Claremont Country Club, Cragmont Club, Mt. Diablo Country Club, the Bohemian Club, Athenian-Nile Club, and several Masonic orders.

Stuart Hawley married Harriet Meek on June 17, 1908. They had two children: Stuart Meek Hawley, a Dean Witter & Co. executive and champion golfer, and Mrs. Loy Hager.

Robert Andrew Leet (1872–1965): Pharmacist & Inaugural Member of Oakland Board of Port Commissioners

Robert Leet and an Oakland Tribune ad for his pharmacy

Main Mausoleum

Robert Andrew Leet was a respected Oakland-based pharmacist, civic leader, and businessman whose contributions to the city spanned both healthcare and public infrastructure. Born in 1872 in San Francisco, California, Leet spent the majority of his life in the East Bay, where he became a well-known figure in the business and civic communities.

Leet operated R.A. Leet & Co., a prominent pharmacy located at 1111 Broadway in downtown Oakland. His establishment became a staple of the community, known not only for dispensing pharmaceutical remedies but also for specializing in Kodak products and offering high-quality photo development services. Advertisements from the early 20th century emphasized the pharmacy's precision in Kodak developing, reflecting Leet’s commitment to innovation and customer service in an era when photography was becoming increasingly popular with the public.

Robert Leet and his sister Nettie

In addition to his career in pharmacy, Robert Leet played a key role in shaping the future of Oakland’s maritime economy. In 1927, he was appointed one of the first members of the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners, an influential body responsible for overseeing the development of what would become one of the most important ports on the West Coast. His fellow commissioners included notable local figures such as Dr. George Pardee, a former Governor of California, and H.C. Capwell, founder of the Capwell's department store chain. 

Leet’s presence on the board signaled both his stature in the community and his investment in Oakland’s economic and infrastructural growth.

Ralph Talcott Fisher (1877–1948): Business Leader & Oakland Port Commissioner

Ralph T. Fisher and Grave Marker

Plot 11

Ralph Talcott Fisher was born in Oakland, California, in 1877, the son of Galen Merriam Fisher. A lifelong resident of the city, Fisher devoted much of his professional life to civic engagement, regional planning, and economic development in the Bay Area.

He graduated from the University of California in 1899 and went on to hold executive positions with the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, including secretary and executive vice president. Through this work, he was involved in urban and economic planning initiatives, promoting infrastructure development and regional cooperation among East Bay communities.

1937 Oakland Port Commission and Staff (L-R) Eugene Roland, Ralph Fisher, Arthur Abel, James McElroy, Merkell Baer, George Pardee and Frank Colbourn

From 1928 to 1939, Fisher served on the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners. His tenure coincided with an important period of modernization and expansion at the Port of Oakland. During these years, the port undertook improvements in cargo handling infrastructure, deepened harbor channels, and expanded terminal facilities to accommodate growing maritime trade. The port also played a greater role in Pacific commerce, responding to shifts in shipping and trade patterns between California and Asia. Fisher’s involvement contributed to the long-term planning and institutional growth of the port, which was positioning itself as a competitive regional hub during a period of national economic uncertainty and recovery.

Fisher’s broader public service included work during World War I with the U.S. Shipping Board and the Emergency Fleet Corporation. In the postwar years, he served on the California State Reconstruction Commission, helping to shape policies for the state’s economic transition after the war.

Fisher Family Plot 

He was active in civic organizations such as the Oakland Forum, the Berkeley Club, the Commonwealth Club of California, and the American Planning and Civic Association. Fisher frequently contributed articles and lectures on urban planning, transportation, and intergovernmental coordination. His writings addressed topics such as harbor policy, regional governance, and city planning strategies.

In 1915, Fisher married Margaret Merriam of Newburyport, Massachusetts. They had one son, Ralph Talcott Fisher Jr., who became a historian and university professor.

Ralph Talcott Fisher died in Oakland in 1948 at the age of 70, following a brief illness

 

Peter M. Tripp (Tripodes) (1911-1996): Businessman; City Councilmember; Oakland Port Commissioner

Peter Tripp and Grave Marker

Plot 5

Peter M. Tripp, born in Pyrgos, Greece, in 1911 and brought to Oakland as a child in 1914, was a dynamic public servant and civic leader whose career spanned athletics, business, and decades of political engagement. Legally shortening his name from Tripodes, Tripp left an indelible mark on Oakland as a two-term City Councilman and serving in the Board of Port Commissioners from 1959-1975, including three stints as President.

Before entering public life, Tripp had careers as a middleweight boxer and professional wrestler in the 1930s. He later founded the Peter Tripp Insurance Agency and became one of Oakland’s most recognized Greek-American business figures. His wife, Lois Poulos Tripp, whom he married in 1942, and their daughter Lois Gail Tripp Harpham were central to his life.

Tripp served on the Oakland City Council from 1951-1959 including a term as Vice Mayor. He chaired several influential committees, including a health department consolidation task force that saved the city $800,000 and the capital improvement committee responsible for the successful bond issue of 1958. He also led efforts to launch construction of the Alameda County Hall of Justice.

Easter Seals Campaign

Tripp retired from the Council in 1959 but was appointed to the Oakland Port Commission two years later. In 1961, he stirred controversy by proposing that all five Port Commissioners—including himself—resign so the newly elected Mayor John C. Houlihan could appoint a fresh board after the city changed who the mayor was selected. Although his motion failed, the bold move highlighted his commitment to reform and democratic governance.

Known for his independence and outspokenness, Tripp did not shy away from challenging colleagues. In 1962, he exposed conflicts of interest on the Port Commission, prompting Mayor Houlihan to demand corrective action. He clashed with fellow Councilmembers and Port Commissioners alike, including public arguments with Councilman Robert Osborne and a fiery exchange over being misaddressed by his birth name.

Under Tripp’s leadership, the Port of Oakland experienced extraordinary growth. When he joined, the port’s gross income was $3.9 million; by the time he stepped down in 1975, it exceeded $20 million. He championed containerization, international trade with Japan, and regional cooperation. In 1972, he advocated limiting the size of Oakland International Airport to avoid the unchecked sprawl of cities like Los Angeles, emphasizing quality of life over expansion.

(L-R) Floyd Olson, Vice Mayor Peter Tripp, Henry Worthington and George Warn

Tripp was a consistent voice for regionalism, urging collaboration between East Bay cities to streamline port operations and development. He also formed a citizen advisory committee to examine the ecological importance of San Leandro Bay’s mudflats, only to later criticize it for lacking business acumen.

His legacy includes championing bold ideas ahead of their time—like naming Oakland’s airport “Golden Gate International” to compete with San Francisco, and opposing entrenched business interests in the produce industry. Known for a sharp tongue and passionate advocacy, he also cultivated a softer public image later in life, emphasizing family, philanthropy, and his Greek heritage. A past master of the Plymouth Masonic Lodge and active member of Oakland’s Scottish Rite Bodies, Tripp remained an influential civic figure into retirement.

By the time he left public life, Peter Tripp had helped transform the Port of Oakland into the West Coast’s leading container shipping hub—second only to New York in the U.S. and third worldwide.