Longtime California Rep. Fortney H. “Pete” Stark Jr., one of Washington’s most influential figures in health policy, died on Jan. 24. He was 88. Over his 40-year Congressional career, Stark, a democrat representing the East Bay, was a key architect of the Affordable Care Act, an original champion of the modern movement for single-payer health care, and an author of numerous bills that made the health care system more accessible, safe, and fair for all. He championed COBRA, which lets workers continue on their employer-provided health plans after a layoff; EMTALA, which prevents anyone from being denied emergency room care; and the eponymous Stark Laws, which dramatically reduced fraud and abuse. He also advocated for equality for the LGBTQ community, paid family leave, and services for foster children. He was a deeply principled, compassionate public servant who quite literally saved the lives of millions. Read his full obituary.
IN MEMORIAM
Jackson Eaves, BS 47
Bert Hickman, BS 47
Frederick Gilchrist, MBA 48
James Maggetti, BS 48
Richard Brown, BS 49
James McFarland, BS 49
Nathan Shore, BS 49
Hubert Duberley, BS 50
Theodore Gessner, BS 50
Warren Heiman, BS 50
William Kramer, BS 50
Willis Tom, BS 50
Robert Barnard, BS 51
Joe Mo, BS 51
Don Wood, BS 51
Richard Cotter, BS 52
Jack Miller, BS 52
Paul Wong, BS 52
Max Bernstein, BS 54
Ernest Lageson, BS 54
Edward Lippstreu, BS 54
Theodore Edwards, BS 55, MBA 56
Edward Fearing, BS 55
James Kidder, BS 55
Craig Brandt, BS 57
Joseph Jaeger, BS 57
Thornton Barrows, MBA 58
Robert Beebe, BS 59
Paul Mosesian, BS 60
Donald Drennan, BS 61
Donald Wilkerson, MBA 61
Stanley Pihl, BS 62
Allen Cox, BS 63
Gerald MacKenzie, BS 67, MBA 68
Euell Winton, BS 67, MBA 68
David Bonini, MBA 69
Thomas Numainville, MBA 69
Randall Humphries, BS 73
Frances Jochum, BS 75
Mark Clark, BS 78
Daniel Voet, MBA 79
Georgia Wright, MBA 80
David Simon, MBA 82
Lisa Zegger, MBA 96
Bonnie Kerby-Miller, Friend
Bettie Lerdall, Friend
Maynard Nelson, Friend
June Neuhaus, Friend
Carolyn Paxton, Friend
Paul Stone, Friend
Robert Woolfson, Friend