John R. Capener

CAPENER, John R. Passed away at home in Healdsburg, CA on June 7, 2006. He was born on November 16, 1929 in Oakland, CA. John grew up in Berkeley and attended Santa Rosa Junior College. He earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Golden Gate University and completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard School of Business. John joined Kaiser Services in 1949 as a clerk in the Mail Department. The following year he became a payroll clerk for the fledgling Kaiser Foundation Hospitals group. In 1952, he took military leave to serve the US Army in Korea. He held several additional positions within Kaiser Hospitals including Regional Controller for Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, Vice President and Regional Manager of the Ohio Region, and Vice President and Associate Regional Manager of the Northern California region. He purchased property in Geyserville in 1975, and most enjoyed the title of "Grape Grower". After 42 years at Kaiser Permanente, in 1990 he retired to his Geyserville vineyard. Mr. Capener is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara. In addition, he was a loving father to Kathryn (Kasey) Capener; John T. Capener and his wife, Liz; Daniel J. Capener and his wife, Chris; and Amy Capener Chin. He was the adored grandfather of Alisha Meserve, Erin and John W. Capener, Sean and Justin Capener, Amanda, Christopher, Cassandra, Gregory, Marissa, Alexander, Angelina, Dominic, and the late Sarah Chin. He is also survived by his sister, Vivian Whitman, and her husband, Don. This gentle, loving husband and father will be greatly missed by his family and friends. At his request, there will be no formal services. Memorial donations may be made to Memorial Hospice of Santa Rosa, 821 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA. 95401.