Year: 2026

VCCCDRA is catching up on posting notices of colleagues’ passing that had not been posted in past years.

Shelley Savern passed away on June 28, 2017, in Ventura, California. Shelley served as a professor of English and Creative Writing at Oxnard College. Shelley was a gifted poet and the creator of the “Speaker Arts and Lecture Series” at the college. Shelley was also a prolific writer, authoring four books of poetry and two anthologies about teaching poetry. She received several writing awards and grants for teaching poetry. Her work was published over 100 times in numerous literary magazines and poetry anthologies. Shelley retired from Oxnard College in 2017, shortly before her death.

To read Shelley’s obituary, please use this link.

VCCCDRA is catching up on posting notices of colleagues’ passing that had not been posted in past years.

Larry Calderon passed on September 29, 2018. Larry was born in Los Angeles, California, on July 29, 1950, to Helen and Antonio Calderon. Larry was raised in Santa Paula, California, attending local public schools. He then continued his education at Ventura College. Later he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He went on to earn a Master of Arts and Doctor of Education at the University of Southern California.

Larry began his career as an elementary school teacher. He returned to Ventura College as a Coordinator of Student Financial Services. Subsequently, Larry took a position as an Assistant Dean of Student Services at Los Angeles College. Returning to the VCCCD, he served sequentially as Vice President of Administrative Services, Vice President of Instruction at Oxnard College, and President of Ventura College. Larry then, moved to Florida where he served as President at Broward Community College and Vice President of Community and Government Relations at Nova Southeastern University, Florida, where he likewise served as a Doctoral Professor. He later became a Leadership Coach with Achieving the Dream, Inc. Larry retired in 2016.

Please use this link to read Larry’s complete obituary.

With sadness, VCCCDRA has learned of the passing of Norma Letinsky on January 19, 2026, of cancer. Norma retired as a professor and learning disabilities specialist from Moorpark College.

Norma was a woman of great faith and followed her husband, Mike, who died in the Fall of 2024.

We have no information on services for Norma; we will post any information we receive here on the Blog.

With sadness, VCCCDRA has learned of the death of Lavar Rigby on January 14, 2026, in St. George, Utah. He was born April 19, 1938, in Brigham City, Utah.

Lavar retired as a mathematics professor at Ventura College. Previous to teaching at VC, he taught math at Los Angeles Harbor College for three years.

Please use this link to read Lavar’s obituary.

With sadness, the VCCCDRA has learned of the passing of Ruth McPherson on March 15, 2021, in Oxnard, California. Ruth was born on December 11, 1931, in the Philippines.

Ruth attended and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. She was a political science professor at Ventura College and retired from the district office as the Director of Affirmative Action.

Upon her death, Ruth left her entire estate to the Angela Duldulao McPherson Foundation with instructions to establish a museum and cultural center for the Filipino community. In a beautiful tribute to her mother, Ruth gave the center Angela’s name, the Angela Duldulao McPherson Museum & Philippine Cultural Arts Center. The museum is now open and is located at 267 E. Port Hueneme Rd., Port Hueneme, California.

Please use this link to read Ruth’s obituary.

Please use this link to read Oxnard College’s Facebook posting about the Angela Duldulao McPherson Museum & Philippine Cultural Arts Center

VCCCDRA is catching up on posting death notices of colleagues that had not been posted in past years.

Ismael “Mayo” de la Rocha passed away on August 3, 2015. Mayo was a professor of History and Chicano Studies for over 40 years at Ventura College. He also taught at UCSB, Cal State University Northridge, Cal Lutheran University, and Cal State University Channel Islands. During his long career, Mayo was honored with various awards, including Outstanding Instructor Award (twice), the Academic Senate Award for Outstanding Service, and the LULAC Outstanding College Educator of the Year. He also received the Outstanding Service to the Latino Community Award from the Latinos for Better Government organization. Mayo retired in December 2014.

To read Mayo’s obituary, please use this link.

VCCCDRA is catching up on posting death notices of colleagues that had not been posted in past years.

Nicolás “Nick” Ochoa passed away on November 10, 1999, due to complications after a heart attack. Nick was a bilingual counselor for 27 years at Ventura College and retired in 1997.

To read Nick’s obituary, please use this link.