Alex Hildebrand

Agriculture

Alex Hildebrand "transplanted" from the Bay Area in 1962, moving to a farm in the south Manteca area. He developed a passion for water issues and now enjoys statewide recognition as an authority on water issues.

Born in Berkeley in 1913, he graduated with honors from U.C. Berkeley in 1935, where he majored in physics and minored in chemistry and engineering. He enjoyed a career with Standard Oil Company, but developed a passion for "Outdoor stuff" through his involvement with the Sierra Club. During this period of time he served as National President of the Sierra Club.

He took an early retirement from Chevron and moved with wife Barbara and his daughters to the bucolic life of rural Manteca. He was a member of the South Delta water Agency Board for over 30 years, and continues to serve as the Agency Engineer. His public life also included time as a Trustee for the Manteca Unified School Board.

Alex was involved in the initial concept of augmenting San Joaquin River flow by recalculating Delta water via the Delta Mendota Canal back to the Delta.

Alex Hildebrand is still active and passionate regarding environmental issues. He is a member of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau, as well as the Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Beatrice Bowlsby

Business

Beatrice ‘Bea’ Bowisby has been a fixture in the business scene in Manteca since 1961. Certainly unique among women in 1961, were those who chose to start their own business. Along with her husband, she established Tipton’s Stationery and Gifts, Inc. and has continued to develop the store, which has become one of Manteca's outstanding enterprises. Bea continues to work six days a week. In the early years, she raised her two children, much of the time with both children, ‘behind the counter’.

Away from work, Bea always found time to volunteer. Her devotion to Manteca Soroptimist International is well known throughout the community. She has held the offices of President. Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and is currently serving as Delegate and Assistant Treasurer. She has continually worked behind the scene to support many past presidents and committee chairpersons whenever and wherever needed.

Beatrice ‘Bea’ Bowlsby has seen the community change greatly since 1961. Through hard work and volunteerism she has many devoted customers and friends. She continues to support many community efforts such as local schools, scouting groups, the Boy’s and Girls Club, Venture Club, and the diverse projects and efforts of Soroptimist International of Manteca. Through her support of activities she helps carry out Soroptimist’s mission statement, which is to make a difference in the lives of women and girls in the local community and throughout the world.

As a pioneer in the business scene in Manteca, along with he many contributions and support of community organizations Bea’ Bowlsby is well deserving of the election into the Manteca Hall of Fame.

David B. Vest

Health Care

David B. Vest has been involved in numerous community activities as a volunteer. He has been involved in working with the Manteca Rural Fire Department, countywide Mosquito Abatement District, and the Manteca Junior Camber of Commerce. David was selected by the Junior Chamber of Commerce as their Man of the Year. These volunteer activities are only a few of his accomplishments.

In the area of Health care, David was selected for the Hall of Fame for his contributions in assisting in the formation of an ambulance service in Manteca. In 1950 Manteca had neither an ambulance or a hospital and relied on San Joaquin County for ambulance service, which made lengthy response times to medical emergencies. Dale Johnson proposed to the JC’s a plan to get an ambulance for Manteca. He was named chairman of the committee and Dave was quick to volunteer as Vice Chairman. He worked tirelessly to bring this to fruition.

The ambulance service was strictly a volunteer service. No one was paid. David was responsible for organizing those that would serve as operators. All volunteers received many hours of medical instruction from Dr. Robert Winters. It was Dave’s job to make sure that all attendance was kept current and he scheduled all volunteer hours. In addition to his training with Dr. Winters, he has furthered his training and acquired his EMT certificate.

Dave remained active with the ambulance for over 30 years. He served on the ambulance board for many years and was President of the Board in 1955. This volunteer ambulance has grown to be the successful ambulance service that Manteca has today. David B. Vest has been involved in many volunteer activities in our community and is well deserving of the election into the Manteca Hall of Fame.

Dennis Weaver

Art

What do Manteca and "Gunsmoke" have in common? The answer: a young man who grew up to repeatedly exclaim, "Marshall Dillon, Marshall Dillon" and win an Emmy Award.

Dennis Weaver stayed in Manteca from 1934 until 1939, having been born in Joplin, Missouri in 1924. The Dust Bowl inspired his family to come to Manteca to find work in packing sheds during harvest season to earn money and then return annually to Joplin.

In his autobiography (All the World’s a Stage), Dennis wrote of Manteca, “We were able to rent the old Duval house at the edge of town. The move to the Duval house proved to have an unpredictably strong effect on my life.” His friendship with neighbor George Hogrefe led to him attending 8th grade in Manteca and working with George to clean the El Rey Theater to make enough for room and board and pocket change. The El Rey proved to be his first strong association with movies which eventually led him into the acting profession.

He enlisted in the Navy Air Corps and was discharged as a pilot in 1945. He was married to his soul mate Gerry Stowell soon thereafter. He dropped out of the University of Oklahoma (where he was an outstanding track athlete) to pursue an acting career n New York City.

His stage experience led to television where he went to become an icon starring in Gunsmoke, McCloud, Gentle Ben, and The Buck James Television Series.

Dr. Frederic Wentworth

Community Service

Dr. Frederick (Rick) Wentworth received his Bachelor's Degree in 1965 and Master's Degree in 1967 from Chico State. He received his Doctorate in Education from University of the Pacific in 1976.

He was a teacher, counselor, and administrator for Escalon Unified School District 1967-1972. He was a career counselor and school administrator for Manteca Unified School District 1972-1989.

Rick presently serves as San Joaquin County Superintendent of schools, having first been elected in 1991, re-elected in 1994, 1998 and again in 2002. Rick has served on the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association since 1991 in various capacities including President, legislative committee chair, technology committee co-chair, and treasurer. He currently surves on the Board of Directors of the association. Rick served on the State Adult Education Committee from 1988-1990; University of the Pacific Alumni Association Committee 1977-1979.

He has received numerous awards and recognitions: 1997 Superintendent of the year; 2001 Fred Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Service award, and various other awards in the field of Education and Community Service. Rick has served on the Manteca City Council and has been Mayor of Manteca. He is also an active member of the Manteca Rotary Club.

Rick and his wife Judy live in Manteca, they have 2 kids; son Kevin, daughter Kristin, and 3 grandchildren.

Eric Bryon Eisner

Music

The late Eric Eisner was heroic, multi-talented and musically gifted. Beyond receiving the rank of Eagle Scout, Eisner was awarded the highest honor in scouting; the "Honor Medal of Lifesaving Award". This award was presented to Eisner in 1984 for rescuing deputy sheriff Bill Howe from a carbon monoxide deathtrap situation.

Eric was active in the community of Manteca, donating his time for Boy Scout Troop 432.

Eric participated year after year in Manteca's parades representing the Manteca Artists Guild. He helped Francis Bynum with her "Love thy neighbor" program, delivering food for the underprivileged.

Eric was a member of the Manteca Community Band and enjoyed entertaining residents of Manteca's Leisure Manor and other homes for the elderly with his skills in ragtime piano.

Eisner's unique skills in playing piano peaked when he was invited by late night TV host David Letterman to perform on his show. He performed his "stupid Human Trick" by playing the "3rd Man theme" from the late 40's Orson Wells film. Eisner astounded TV watchers as he played the entire theme while sitting on the bench with his back toward the keys, arms wrapping back around his torso and hands on the keys, hitting the notes blindly, yet
accurately.

Eisner was a beloved school teacher who taught in Manteca, Tracy, and Stockton before his untimely death in October 1995.

Jay Holmes

Education

Mr. Jay Holmes has dedicated his entire adult life to making our community a better place. Jay's specialty is helping the young people, not only in the field of education, but through his constant work as a volunteer.

Jay and his family moved to Manteca in 1968. He began his career working as a teacher for the California Youth Authority and rose to principal. He retired in 2001. Along the way Jay has been very active in the community. From 2000-2004 he was a member of the Manteca Unified School Board, a Substance Abuse/Gang Intervention teacher in Manteca for fifteen years, a fifteen year member of the Manteca Boys/Girls Club serving as President and Secretary, Board of Directors of Give Every Child a Chance, P.T.A. President of Sequoia and Manteca High Schools, Manteca Rotary Club member, past President and several times a Paul Harris awardee.

Jay has always been involved in a variety of community service. In his church, he has been involved as a Sunday school teacher, music programmer and in many other leadership roles. He has served as a member of the Manteca Community Prayer Breakfast committee for ten years.

In 1986, Jay was recognized by the San Joaquin County Juvenile Justice Commission as Educator of the Year. All of his awards and recognitions are too numerous to mention.

Jay Holmes' many contributions to the young people of the community make him a deserving member of the Manteca Hall of Fame. Manteca is a better place to live because of Jay's dedication, volunteerism and outstanding contributions to education.

Kevin Tyler Wentworth

Athletics

In 1972 at the age of 4, Kevin, his parents Rick and Judy and sister Kristen moved to Manteca.

Kevin always had an interest in athletics; taking up the game of golf at age 7, with his father and grandfather Everett.

Kevin began playing with the Northern California Golf Association at age 10 and continued to age 18. He participated in approximately 50 golf tournaments during this time.

Kevin attended Manteca High School (1983-1987). He played football and basketball for Manteca High, but where Kevin really shined was in the game of golf. Playing for Manteca High he was named all VOL 1984-1987; Section Champ 1986-87; VOL Champ 1984-87; Nor-Cal Individual Champ in 1985 and State Champ 1986. During this time he also played in the U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Championships 1984-87.

Kevin attended Oklahoma State University 1989-91; Winner of 7 College tournaments; Ben Hogan Award and the Dave Williams Award for Top Senior in College Golf in 1991. Kevin joined the Professional Golf Association (PGA) 1992-2003. Kevin was the winner of 10 professional golf tournaments, most notably the 1998 Philippine Open; Finished in the top 17 on the Asian Tour Money List from 1993-96. In 1996 finished top 10 in 15 of 25 events and qualified and played in the 1993 US Open.

Kevin is married to Diane; they have a son named Tyler. His hobbies are family, basketball, fishing and of course golf.

R. C. Owens

Community Service

R.C. Owens moved to Manteca in 2001 with his wife Susan. R.C. immediately got involved in the local community supporting local non-profit groups by donating sports memorabilia.

R.C.'s donation of sports memorabilia to Manteca’s local non-profit community for fund raisers has been extremely generous. Susan and he opened a business near the downtown and rehabilitated an older building, bringing it up to code. Tips received at this location were also given to local charity. He has lent his name to the annual Manteca/Lathrop Boys and Girls Club Golf Tournament, and is instrumental in bringing former and current NFL players to that event. He encourages the players to donate memorabilia as well to help with the fundraising. He supports Manteca Idol, the Telethon, and the Crab Feed.

In 1995 he started a reading program with the San Francisco 49ers. When the 49ers moved their training operations to Stockton, the program included local youth - over 1,000 area youth were involved during the period of time the 49ers held training camp in Stockton.

R.C. has given time and substance to the community: he has been involved with Give Every Child A Chance, Hope Family Shelter. Manteca CAPS. Goodwill. Salvation Army, United Cerebral Palsy, Ray of Hope, Kiwanis, Manteca Schools, the City of Manteca, and the Manteca Library.

He currently serves on the Sports Commission of the Manteca Convention & Visitors Bureau.

R.C. is no stranger to sports. He became a household name in the SF Bay Area with his Alley Oop receptions made to benefit the 49ers, He played in the NFL from 1957-1964 as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Colts, and the New York Giants. He is still remembered as the first 49er to accumulate 1,000 yards receiving in 1961. He was selected for the Hula Bowl in 1957, and selected to the All Pro 2nd Team by the Associated Press in 1962.

R.C. Owens has supported the strong community atmosphere that exists here. This distinguished sports figure continues to be a great role model for both youth and adults by being an example of how one "gives back" to a community. He is a tremendous addition and asset for our community.