George Koestner
June 29, 1934-December 24, 2014
Resident of Cupertino
George Koestner, a man whose heart was full of love for his family, friends, business associates, neighbors, pets, and the larger community, both at home and abroad has moved to a higher realm.
George, also known as "Red" or "Bud", died on December 24, 2014 at age 80, while living in Cupertino, California.
He is survived by Julie, his wife of 57 years, son, Paul, daughter-in-law Amy, daughter, Sarah Cording, son-in-law Richard Cording, three granddaughters--Emily Koestner, Alexa and Elise Cording, Karen Gerdel, niece, of Montpelier, Vermont, and cousin Gloria Gottschalk of St. Louis, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Hazel Koestner and his sister, Peggy Koestner Freund.
George was born on June 29, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was brought up a Christian Scientist, and later became a lifelong member of the Mother Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts and of the Frist Church of Christ, Scientist in Palo Alto, California.
George began his baseball odyssey at about age 11. He became such a strong pitcher that when he entered Cleveland High School, his coach of both baseball and basketball told him to prepare for a college athletic scholarship. He gladly did this. By the end of his senior year in high school he had become the second most winning pitcher in the state of Missouri.
After tryouts with the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers, a group of professional baseball scouts came to his door with contracts. He also received scholarship offers.
His very wise parents helped him consider these offers and they all concluded that he should go to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. In the fall of 1953 he went to class and pitched baseball very well against strong competitors at the U of I, while working toward a degree.
During the summer after his sophomore year he played semi-pro baseball for a community team in Pierre, South Dakota.
That fall he transferred to Washington University in St. Louis. While there he continued to play baseball and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
In the summer after his junior year George met Julie. Cupid's arrows flew between them.
Immediately after graduation George joined the United States Army for a program of six months Basic Training followed by five years of Reserve Duty. He was offered Officers Training.
Although he enjoyed military duty, he had Julie, his fiancée, and a very good job with Reynolds Metals Company waiting in St. Louis.
George and Julie married in 1958. Their happily awaited first child, Paul, was born in 1964. This was joyfully followed by the birth of the daughter, Sarah in 1966. A more loving husband and father could never be found!
After working at Reynolds as a management trainee, George returned to Washington University. In 1964 he received his MBA degree, which spearheaded his highly successful business career.
That year Corning Glass Works hired George as the financial manager of a small branch in Newton, New Jersey. During the following ten years Corning offered him three promotions. The last of these was a job as the financial manager of a small pioneering subsidiary in Silicon Valley.
Ultimately George, with other officers and employees founded Scientific Micro Systems Inc. in Mountain View, California. He became the CFO. SMS was one of the first companies to develop new kinds of storage systems for computers. The company grew and flourished until it had nearly 900 employees. George was highly involved in ushering SMS to "go public". Before and after its incorporation George managed all of the financial and legal affairs of the company, as well as HR.
Some years later, after retirement George was asked to become the CFO of Buslogic, Inc., a start-up formed by two young engineers. This company, too, prospered.
Along the way George expressed his love for his family and his interest in youth sports, by coaching Little League teams. Through coaching George instructed and inspired young players to develop their skills and special talents. He encouraged them to fearlessly seize opportunities on the field and to play wholeheartedly. If there were mistakes, he never judged his players; he forgave them.
Besides baseball, George coached, managed, and became a commissioner of both AYSO and later, CYSA teams on which Paul and Sarah played. As a result of these activities George, his family, and a Palo Alto soccer team of 16-year-old boys, were able to go on a spectacular sports-cultural tour to Hamburg, Germany. This people-to-people tour was not only educational but yielded wonderful friendships.
George also loved music of all kinds. While young he played the saxophone. Later he pursued public speaking through Toastmasters. He was able to express humor in speeches at work which delighted all. He also taught Sunday school and became the head usher at his church. He and his family are grateful to have realized so many dreams: beautiful homes, skiing at Northstar, children's educations, vacations and much more. Such a joyful life!
A celebration of George's Life will be held at the Forum at Rancho San Antonio in the Sierra Room, 23500 Cristo Rey Drive, Cupertino, California 95014, on Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 2PM-4PM.
Donations in George's honor may be made to charities of your choice.
Spangler Mortuaries, 399 S. San Antonio, Los Altos, CA
Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jan. 18, 2015
June 29, 1934-December 24, 2014
Resident of Cupertino
George Koestner, a man whose heart was full of love for his family, friends, business associates, neighbors, pets, and the larger community, both at home and abroad has moved to a higher realm.
George, also known as "Red" or "Bud", died on December 24, 2014 at age 80, while living in Cupertino, California.
He is survived by Julie, his wife of 57 years, son, Paul, daughter-in-law Amy, daughter, Sarah Cording, son-in-law Richard Cording, three granddaughters--Emily Koestner, Alexa and Elise Cording, Karen Gerdel, niece, of Montpelier, Vermont, and cousin Gloria Gottschalk of St. Louis, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Hazel Koestner and his sister, Peggy Koestner Freund.
George was born on June 29, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was brought up a Christian Scientist, and later became a lifelong member of the Mother Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts and of the Frist Church of Christ, Scientist in Palo Alto, California.
George began his baseball odyssey at about age 11. He became such a strong pitcher that when he entered Cleveland High School, his coach of both baseball and basketball told him to prepare for a college athletic scholarship. He gladly did this. By the end of his senior year in high school he had become the second most winning pitcher in the state of Missouri.
After tryouts with the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers, a group of professional baseball scouts came to his door with contracts. He also received scholarship offers.
His very wise parents helped him consider these offers and they all concluded that he should go to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. In the fall of 1953 he went to class and pitched baseball very well against strong competitors at the U of I, while working toward a degree.
During the summer after his sophomore year he played semi-pro baseball for a community team in Pierre, South Dakota.
That fall he transferred to Washington University in St. Louis. While there he continued to play baseball and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
In the summer after his junior year George met Julie. Cupid's arrows flew between them.
Immediately after graduation George joined the United States Army for a program of six months Basic Training followed by five years of Reserve Duty. He was offered Officers Training.
Although he enjoyed military duty, he had Julie, his fiancée, and a very good job with Reynolds Metals Company waiting in St. Louis.
George and Julie married in 1958. Their happily awaited first child, Paul, was born in 1964. This was joyfully followed by the birth of the daughter, Sarah in 1966. A more loving husband and father could never be found!
After working at Reynolds as a management trainee, George returned to Washington University. In 1964 he received his MBA degree, which spearheaded his highly successful business career.
That year Corning Glass Works hired George as the financial manager of a small branch in Newton, New Jersey. During the following ten years Corning offered him three promotions. The last of these was a job as the financial manager of a small pioneering subsidiary in Silicon Valley.
Ultimately George, with other officers and employees founded Scientific Micro Systems Inc. in Mountain View, California. He became the CFO. SMS was one of the first companies to develop new kinds of storage systems for computers. The company grew and flourished until it had nearly 900 employees. George was highly involved in ushering SMS to "go public". Before and after its incorporation George managed all of the financial and legal affairs of the company, as well as HR.
Some years later, after retirement George was asked to become the CFO of Buslogic, Inc., a start-up formed by two young engineers. This company, too, prospered.
Along the way George expressed his love for his family and his interest in youth sports, by coaching Little League teams. Through coaching George instructed and inspired young players to develop their skills and special talents. He encouraged them to fearlessly seize opportunities on the field and to play wholeheartedly. If there were mistakes, he never judged his players; he forgave them.
Besides baseball, George coached, managed, and became a commissioner of both AYSO and later, CYSA teams on which Paul and Sarah played. As a result of these activities George, his family, and a Palo Alto soccer team of 16-year-old boys, were able to go on a spectacular sports-cultural tour to Hamburg, Germany. This people-to-people tour was not only educational but yielded wonderful friendships.
George also loved music of all kinds. While young he played the saxophone. Later he pursued public speaking through Toastmasters. He was able to express humor in speeches at work which delighted all. He also taught Sunday school and became the head usher at his church. He and his family are grateful to have realized so many dreams: beautiful homes, skiing at Northstar, children's educations, vacations and much more. Such a joyful life!
A celebration of George's Life will be held at the Forum at Rancho San Antonio in the Sierra Room, 23500 Cristo Rey Drive, Cupertino, California 95014, on Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 2PM-4PM.
Donations in George's honor may be made to charities of your choice.
Spangler Mortuaries, 399 S. San Antonio, Los Altos, CA
Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jan. 18, 2015
George Koestner
June 29, 1934-December 24, 2014
Resident of Cupertino
George Koestner, a man whose heart was full of love for his family, friends, business associates, neighbors, pets, and the larger community, both at home and abroad has moved to a higher realm.
George, also known as "Red" or "Bud", died on December 24, 2014 at age 80, while living in Cupertino, California.
He is survived by Julie, his wife of 57 years, son, Paul, daughter-in-law Amy, daughter, Sarah Cording, son-in-law Richard Cording, three granddaughters--Emily Koestner, Alexa and Elise Cording, Karen Gerdel, niece, of Montpelier, Vermont, and cousin Gloria Gottschalk of St. Louis, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Hazel Koestner and his sister, Peggy Koestner Freund.
George was born on June 29, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was brought up a Christian Scientist, and later became a lifelong member of the Mother Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts and of the Frist Church of Christ, Scientist in Palo Alto, California.
George began his baseball odyssey at about age 11. He became such a strong pitcher that when he entered Cleveland High School, his coach of both baseball and basketball told him to prepare for a college athletic scholarship. He gladly did this. By the end of his senior year in high school he had become the second most winning pitcher in the state of Missouri.
After tryouts with the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers, a group of professional baseball scouts came to his door with contracts. He also received scholarship offers.
His very wise parents helped him consider these offers and they all concluded that he should go to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. In the fall of 1953 he went to class and pitched baseball very well against strong competitors at the U of I, while working toward a degree.
During the summer after his sophomore year he played semi-pro baseball for a community team in Pierre, South Dakota.
That fall he transferred to Washington University in St. Louis. While there he continued to play baseball and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
In the summer after his junior year George met Julie. Cupid's arrows flew between them.
Immediately after graduation George joined the United States Army for a program of six months Basic Training followed by five years of Reserve Duty. He was offered Officers Training.
Although he enjoyed military duty, he had Julie, his fiancée, and a very good job with Reynolds Metals Company waiting in St. Louis.
George and Julie married in 1958. Their happily awaited first child, Paul, was born in 1964. This was joyfully followed by the birth of the daughter, Sarah in 1966. A more loving husband and father could never be found!
After working at Reynolds as a management trainee, George returned to Washington University. In 1964 he received his MBA degree, which spearheaded his highly successful business career.
That year Corning Glass Works hired George as the financial manager of a small branch in Newton, New Jersey. During the following ten years Corning offered him three promotions. The last of these was a job as the financial manager of a small pioneering subsidiary in Silicon Valley.
Ultimately George, with other officers and employees founded Scientific Micro Systems Inc. in Mountain View, California. He became the CFO. SMS was one of the first companies to develop new kinds of storage systems for computers. The company grew and flourished until it had nearly 900 employees. George was highly involved in ushering SMS to "go public". Before and after its incorporation George managed all of the financial and legal affairs of the company, as well as HR.
Some years later, after retirement George was asked to become the CFO of Buslogic, Inc., a start-up formed by two young engineers. This company, too, prospered.
Along the way George expressed his love for his family and his interest in youth sports, by coaching Little League teams. Through coaching George instructed and inspired young players to develop their skills and special talents. He encouraged them to fearlessly seize opportunities on the field and to play wholeheartedly. If there were mistakes, he never judged his players; he forgave them.
Besides baseball, George coached, managed, and became a commissioner of both AYSO and later, CYSA teams on which Paul and Sarah played. As a result of these activities George, his family, and a Palo Alto soccer team of 16-year-old boys, were able to go on a spectacular sports-cultural tour to Hamburg, Germany. This people-to-people tour was not only educational but yielded wonderful friendships.
George also loved music of all kinds. While young he played the saxophone. Later he pursued public speaking through Toastmasters. He was able to express humor in speeches at work which delighted all. He also taught Sunday school and became the head usher at his church. He and his family are grateful to have realized so many dreams: beautiful homes, skiing at Northstar, children's educations, vacations and much more. Such a joyful life!
A celebration of George's Life will be held at the Forum at Rancho San Antonio in the Sierra Room, 23500 Cristo Rey Drive, Cupertino, California 95014, on Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 2PM-4PM.
Donations in George's honor may be made to charities of your choice.
Spangler Mortuaries, 399 S. San Antonio, Los Altos, CA
Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jan. 18, 2015
June 29, 1934-December 24, 2014
Resident of Cupertino
George Koestner, a man whose heart was full of love for his family, friends, business associates, neighbors, pets, and the larger community, both at home and abroad has moved to a higher realm.
George, also known as "Red" or "Bud", died on December 24, 2014 at age 80, while living in Cupertino, California.
He is survived by Julie, his wife of 57 years, son, Paul, daughter-in-law Amy, daughter, Sarah Cording, son-in-law Richard Cording, three granddaughters--Emily Koestner, Alexa and Elise Cording, Karen Gerdel, niece, of Montpelier, Vermont, and cousin Gloria Gottschalk of St. Louis, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Hazel Koestner and his sister, Peggy Koestner Freund.
George was born on June 29, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was brought up a Christian Scientist, and later became a lifelong member of the Mother Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts and of the Frist Church of Christ, Scientist in Palo Alto, California.
George began his baseball odyssey at about age 11. He became such a strong pitcher that when he entered Cleveland High School, his coach of both baseball and basketball told him to prepare for a college athletic scholarship. He gladly did this. By the end of his senior year in high school he had become the second most winning pitcher in the state of Missouri.
After tryouts with the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers, a group of professional baseball scouts came to his door with contracts. He also received scholarship offers.
His very wise parents helped him consider these offers and they all concluded that he should go to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. In the fall of 1953 he went to class and pitched baseball very well against strong competitors at the U of I, while working toward a degree.
During the summer after his sophomore year he played semi-pro baseball for a community team in Pierre, South Dakota.
That fall he transferred to Washington University in St. Louis. While there he continued to play baseball and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
In the summer after his junior year George met Julie. Cupid's arrows flew between them.
Immediately after graduation George joined the United States Army for a program of six months Basic Training followed by five years of Reserve Duty. He was offered Officers Training.
Although he enjoyed military duty, he had Julie, his fiancée, and a very good job with Reynolds Metals Company waiting in St. Louis.
George and Julie married in 1958. Their happily awaited first child, Paul, was born in 1964. This was joyfully followed by the birth of the daughter, Sarah in 1966. A more loving husband and father could never be found!
After working at Reynolds as a management trainee, George returned to Washington University. In 1964 he received his MBA degree, which spearheaded his highly successful business career.
That year Corning Glass Works hired George as the financial manager of a small branch in Newton, New Jersey. During the following ten years Corning offered him three promotions. The last of these was a job as the financial manager of a small pioneering subsidiary in Silicon Valley.
Ultimately George, with other officers and employees founded Scientific Micro Systems Inc. in Mountain View, California. He became the CFO. SMS was one of the first companies to develop new kinds of storage systems for computers. The company grew and flourished until it had nearly 900 employees. George was highly involved in ushering SMS to "go public". Before and after its incorporation George managed all of the financial and legal affairs of the company, as well as HR.
Some years later, after retirement George was asked to become the CFO of Buslogic, Inc., a start-up formed by two young engineers. This company, too, prospered.
Along the way George expressed his love for his family and his interest in youth sports, by coaching Little League teams. Through coaching George instructed and inspired young players to develop their skills and special talents. He encouraged them to fearlessly seize opportunities on the field and to play wholeheartedly. If there were mistakes, he never judged his players; he forgave them.
Besides baseball, George coached, managed, and became a commissioner of both AYSO and later, CYSA teams on which Paul and Sarah played. As a result of these activities George, his family, and a Palo Alto soccer team of 16-year-old boys, were able to go on a spectacular sports-cultural tour to Hamburg, Germany. This people-to-people tour was not only educational but yielded wonderful friendships.
George also loved music of all kinds. While young he played the saxophone. Later he pursued public speaking through Toastmasters. He was able to express humor in speeches at work which delighted all. He also taught Sunday school and became the head usher at his church. He and his family are grateful to have realized so many dreams: beautiful homes, skiing at Northstar, children's educations, vacations and much more. Such a joyful life!
A celebration of George's Life will be held at the Forum at Rancho San Antonio in the Sierra Room, 23500 Cristo Rey Drive, Cupertino, California 95014, on Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 2PM-4PM.
Donations in George's honor may be made to charities of your choice.
Spangler Mortuaries, 399 S. San Antonio, Los Altos, CA
Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jan. 18, 2015
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