In a world full of uncertainty, one factor we can all count on is the reality that each of us come with an expiration date. The California Receivers Forum is saddened to report on the passing of several of our colleagues over the past year. With apologies in advance, for those representatives we may have missed, we acknowledge the loss of David Pasternak, Pasternak & Pasternak; Douglas Morehead, Optima Asset Management; Lei Lei Wang-Ekvall, Smiley Wang-Ekvall, Adam Djou, Torrey Pines Bank as well as the following members:
BRUCE ALLEN CORNELIUS
(June 30, 1949 – April 20, 2021)
Bruce Cornelius passed away on April 20, 2021, after a valiant six-month battle against leukemia. Over a 45-year legal career, Bruce’s statewide practice centered on receiverships, principally representing real estate secured lenders and occasionally the receivers themselves. Bruce made frequent appearances in Superior Courts throughout California, and when the occasion required, in California bankruptcy courts.
Bruce grew up in La Crescenta and graduated from high school there in 1967. He earned his undergraduate degree from UCLA in 1971. In 1972, Bruce enrolled in Hastings College of the Law, where he met his future wife, classmate Janet Evans; they married in 1980. In 1975, Bruce earned his law degree from Hastings and was admitted to the California Bar. That same year he began practice with the Oakland firm of Graves & Mallory (later Graves, Allen, Cornelius & Celestre).
In the mid-1990’s, Bruce relocated his practice to Lafayette and became of counsel to Belzer, Hulchiy & Murray. He continued to focus on receiverships until his retirement in September 2019. In October 2020, he was diagnosed with leukemia and spent his final six months in and out of UCSF hospital in heroic and ultimately unsuccessful efforts to combat the disease, to which he succumbed on April 20, 2021. Bruce is survived by his widow Janet Evans, son Brian and daughter Megan, son-in- law Justin Pabbert, brother Gary and sister Linda Sullivan, many cousins, nephews and nieces, and numerous good friends.
Bruce was a long-time active member of the California Receivers’ Forum, a member of its Bay Area Board, representative to the State Board 2006 – 2009, and Chair of the statewide organization in 2014. He was an active member of Contra Costa Country Club, and for more than three decades of the Bay Area Lawyers & Judges Golf Association, on whose board he served for many years.
Bruce brought dedication and enthusiasm to representing his clients and to his many and varied non-legal interests. The latter included golf, exploring the out of doors, photography, politics and current affairs, rock & roll music, movies, the Olympics, meteorology, geography and travel (both domestic and foreign), astronomy and helping his friends. He enjoyed watching almost all sports in person and on television, and was a deeply committed, knowledgeable and opinionated fan of the Oakland A’s, the Golden State Warriors, the SF Forty-Niners, and Bruins basketball. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of subjects that interested him and the uncanny ability to recall accurately myriad details about them. Most of all, Bruce was a truly good, genuine and loyal friend, generous with his time and always willing to lend a helping hand. His friends and family miss him very much.
BRICK KANE AND ROBB EVANS OF ROBB EVANS & ASSOCIATES LLC
(PROVIDED BY KENTON JOHNSON)
Brick and I were 20-year members of Robb Evans & Associates LLC. Brick served as the President and Chief Operating Officer. I served as an Executive Vice President.
Very unexpectedly during labor day weekend 2021, doctors determined Brick was stricken with brain cancer. He passed away less than 30 days later on October 2.
The death of the firm’s founder, Robb Evans, on August 26, 2021 and Brick’s unexpected sudden passing about a month later severely impacted the firm.
Robb was a 5th generation Californian, born in Santa Barbara at Cottage Hospital to Arthur Evans and Carmelita Jansen. He graduated from Hart High School in Newhall and received his degree from CSU Northridge. He met the love of his life, Linda, in Bakersfield and they were married for 59 years.
Robb worked his way through the banking industry: starting out as a teller and working his way to Chairman of the board of a number of respected institutions. During his career, he was an international and domestic banker, fiduciary, and chief executive officer of six banks. He was a Trustee, managing the United States governments interest in the BCCI matter. Robb was a past President of the California Bankers Association and was named California’s 2012 Distinguished Banker of the Year. His company, a federal regulatory firm, continues to be trusted and respected in the industry
He and his wife spent joyful years fixing up their beach house in Cambria, hosting parties, and enjoying the grandchildren. Robb is survived by his wife, Linda, his two sons, Steven and Matthew, their wives, and two talented grandchildren.
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RICHARD M. KIPPERMAN
Richard M. Kipperman passed away peacefully on March 29, 2022 after a long illness. Born in Trenton, New Jersey February 7, 1944, Richard graduated from the University of Denver, MS in Business Administration; MBA, San Diego State University. Richard proudly served in the Marine Corps from 1968-1971 (honorably discharged), and completed a one year tour of duty in Vietnam.
In 1986 Richard founded Corporate Management, Inc where he became well known and respected in the bankruptcy and insolvency community of San Diego. His astute mental acuity made him a natural for solving financial challenges.
He has served as President of National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, a consultant and trustee for the San Diego County Construction Laborer’s Benefit Trust Funds, administrator of the San Diego Carpenters Group Insurance, Pension and Vacation Funds, board member of the San Diego’s City Employees retirement system, Director and officer of San Diego bankruptcy Forum, Director of California Receivers Forum, Director and Officer of San Diego Receivers Forum, member international Foundation of Employee Benefits Plan (Taft Hartley/Unions). Richard was selected as Mediator of the Year, Bankruptcy mediation panel, Southern District of California 2009-2010. From a very young age Richard was adept at and loved golf, always ready for a game whether he was playing Pebble Beach or his beloved San Diego Country Club. Richard loved adventure – skiing the slopes of Vail or Aspen, river rafting down the Snake or Salmon Rivers with family and Friends. Trips to New York City for theater and fine dining, visits to New England for lobster were many. Richard loved life.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie, two sons; Jamie and Sean; one grandson, Parker; two brothers, Robert and Douglas.
A celebration of life was held in April.