George had a unique sense of humor for those that new him well. We first met back at TL and hit it off pretty good. Sometime in our early days at Carlmont, George, myself, Richard Epting, Steve Ochiltree and Ken Mannix formed a group called "Action Masters" - always looking for parties and as I recall didn't find many. Always enjoyed my post graduation connections with George - he was one of a kind. Will miss you my friend. Hope your home in heaven.
I cannot express the pain and sadness I felt after hearing of George Wilber's death. Someone once said "humor is simply a funny way of being serious." I know George understood this for his keen wit and humorous observations made life for everyone around him interesting and fun. George was incredibly intelligent. Of course, George's high school transcripts never reflected this. I once asked George why he didn't do better academically, since he certainly had the ability. He looked at me with a knowing smile and said, "I never let high school interfere with my education." At first, I didn't understand what he was saying, but then I realized that George was going to decide what was important in his life, and that is what made him such a special person.
In our group of myself, Mannix, Wilber, Ochiltree and and Phillips, Jim was the only one with a car, so he basically became our Uber driver. If we couldn't find anything to do on a Saturday night, we would drive down to Kepler's bookstore in Menlo Park. As soon as we entered the store, Jim would head toward the auto magazine rack, Mannix and I would go to the sport's section, Ochiltree would get something to eat, and George would go to the philosophy section where he would read his favorite philosopher, Bertrand Russell. On the ride home, George would attempt to tell us what he had learned, but two minutes into his explanation, either Mannix or I would interrupt him by asking, "Does he play first base or left field?" George would smile and mutter something like, "Helpless!" However, as Jim Phillips wrote in his obituary, we did form a car club called the "Action Masters". We bought white hoodies and had the name of our club printed on the back in Old English script. George complained that we had spend $5.00 apiece for hoodies that were illegible. One Saturday night, we wore them at the Redwood City Drive-in. During intermission, we were all in the men's room, standing at the urinals. Some drunk guy walked in, looked at us, and yelled, "Hey, Action Masters, what's up?" After he left, we all just roared and George said, "Next week-end, let's go up to S.F.'s Skid Row, then everyone will know who we are!"
About 10 years ago, I ran into George at an L.A. casino. When he saw me, he got up from his table and we talked. George had married Sharon Hilles who had a Ph.D from UCLA in the English/ESL department. They had two kids, Jimmy and Mary, and lived in Upland. We talked and laughed about our Carlmont days and old friends. Honestly, I wish I had stayed longer, for being around George always made life more interesting. I know I can speak for everyone who knew George when I say, "Rest in peace, our brother, we will miss you every day of the rest of our lives and thank you for being you".
I didn't have the privilege of knowing George; but based on the tributes, I feel I really missed out knowing someone special. I know George would have been honored to be remembered so fondly by his high school buddies. What a sweet memorial.
Thank you Richard for your kind words about George. I too, did not really interact with George at Carlmont, however at our reunions we really did make a connection and continued to communicate via email. He truly was an exceptional and insightful human being I cherished our many, many conversations back and forth over the last ten years
Jim Phillips
George had a unique sense of humor for those that new him well. We first met back at TL and hit it off pretty good. Sometime in our early days at Carlmont, George, myself, Richard Epting, Steve Ochiltree and Ken Mannix formed a group called "Action Masters" - always looking for parties and as I recall didn't find many. Always enjoyed my post graduation connections with George - he was one of a kind. Will miss you my friend. Hope your home in heaven.
Jim Phillips
Richard Epting
I cannot express the pain and sadness I felt after hearing of George Wilber's death. Someone once said "humor is simply a funny way of being serious." I know George understood this for his keen wit and humorous observations made life for everyone around him interesting and fun. George was incredibly intelligent. Of course, George's high school transcripts never reflected this. I once asked George why he didn't do better academically, since he certainly had the ability. He looked at me with a knowing smile and said, "I never let high school interfere with my education." At first, I didn't understand what he was saying, but then I realized that George was going to decide what was important in his life, and that is what made him such a special person.
In our group of myself, Mannix, Wilber, Ochiltree and and Phillips, Jim was the only one with a car, so he basically became our Uber driver. If we couldn't find anything to do on a Saturday night, we would drive down to Kepler's bookstore in Menlo Park. As soon as we entered the store, Jim would head toward the auto magazine rack, Mannix and I would go to the sport's section, Ochiltree would get something to eat, and George would go to the philosophy section where he would read his favorite philosopher, Bertrand Russell. On the ride home, George would attempt to tell us what he had learned, but two minutes into his explanation, either Mannix or I would interrupt him by asking, "Does he play first base or left field?" George would smile and mutter something like, "Helpless!" However, as Jim Phillips wrote in his obituary, we did form a car club called the "Action Masters". We bought white hoodies and had the name of our club printed on the back in Old English script. George complained that we had spend $5.00 apiece for hoodies that were illegible. One Saturday night, we wore them at the Redwood City Drive-in. During intermission, we were all in the men's room, standing at the urinals. Some drunk guy walked in, looked at us, and yelled, "Hey, Action Masters, what's up?" After he left, we all just roared and George said, "Next week-end, let's go up to S.F.'s Skid Row, then everyone will know who we are!"
About 10 years ago, I ran into George at an L.A. casino. When he saw me, he got up from his table and we talked. George had married Sharon Hilles who had a Ph.D from UCLA in the English/ESL department. They had two kids, Jimmy and Mary, and lived in Upland. We talked and laughed about our Carlmont days and old friends. Honestly, I wish I had stayed longer, for being around George always made life more interesting. I know I can speak for everyone who knew George when I say, "Rest in peace, our brother, we will miss you every day of the rest of our lives and thank you for being you".
Maureen Greene (Vieth)
I didn't have the privilege of knowing George; but based on the tributes, I feel I really missed out knowing someone special. I know George would have been honored to be remembered so fondly by his high school buddies. What a sweet memorial.
Joyce Ertola (Carlson)
Thank you Richard for your kind words about George. I too, did not really interact with George at Carlmont, however at our reunions we really did make a connection and continued to communicate via email. He truly was an exceptional and insightful human being I cherished our many, many conversations back and forth over the last ten years