Loyal Haas Supporter
James Ramsey Bancroft, MS 41, a generous supporter of Haas, passed away on November 15, 2018. He was 99. Bancroft earned a bachelor’s in economics at Berkeley in addition to a master’s in business. He served in the Navy during WW II and afterwards earned a law degree and founded what ultimately became the San Francisco law firm of Bancroft, Avery & McAlister. He also started Bancroft Vineyard in Napa, renowned for its merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Throughout his career Bancroft was active in the arts and charitable causes, serving on numerous nonprofit boards and supporting many cultural, educational, environmental, and religious organizations nationwide. He was preceded in death by his wife (and Berkeley sweetheart), Jane Marguerite Oberfell, BA 47 (humanities).