Renée Foster
Feb. 4, 1956 – Aug. 12, 2015

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Renée Foster was born Renée Eileen Ramey in Campbell, Calif., to John and Lois Ramey (née Favre).

She attended Capri Elementary, Rolling Hills Middle and Westmont High (Class of 1974).

After graduation Renée moved with her family to Lakeport, Calif., where she started her lifelong career as a title officer and met her husband, Kent Foster Sr. She also lived in Oakley through the 1980s and spent the last 15 years in Stockton, Calif.

Renée loved the outdoors – camping, backpacking, beach-lounging – and had a taste for good wine and good company. She was a fan of horror movies, books, and holidays. Her Christmas shopping would be done before Halloween, not because she was eager to get it over with but because she was so excited to get it started. She refused to listen when asked to indulge others less and herself more. She was as optimistic as a child, as generous as a saint and as stubborn as a mule.

Among those who are missing her now and forever, her children, Renella Ramey of Campbell, Kent Foster Jr. and Kevin Foster of Stockton; grandchildren, Gabe Gossack, Cassie Gossack, Kaylie Foster and Natalie Kashka; sisters, Cheryl Higa, Suzan Shaat and Bluette Ramey; and a devoted posse of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

And last but not least, her beloved dogs of mysterious lineage, Sweetie Pie and Pepper, who she would have told you are not weird looking at all. If you wish to make a donation in her memory, the SPCA in Stockton would be a good choice.

In honor of Renée, today please share a smile with everyone you see, as she would have.

She was laid to rest on Aug. 24 at Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport.

Diane Mary McMenomy (Locaria)
August 24, 1934 to August 24, 2015

NICE, Calif. – Diane McMenomy died peacefully of natural causes on Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, at her home in Nice. She left this world on her 81st birthday.

Born with an innate artistic talent, Diane could see beauty in everything. She looked at the world and the people in it in terms of potential, how everything could be shaped and molded into something outstanding. She could transform even the most ordinary of objects into elegance and grandeur.

She lived her life in search of the next great project, the next great second hand store “goodies” to find and display. From artwork to her beloved toys and most of all dolls, she surrounded herself with beauty.

She carried that beauty with her in her journey from the San Francisco Bay Area where she was born and where she raised her children to her retirement on the shores of Clear Lake.

She loved her rose garden and planting and nurturing new life. She brought wild strawberries from the first home she owned with her husband, Bill, in Daly City, to her home in San Bruno, and then to Upper Lake and Nice. These were planted alongside the rose bushes she could start from a simple cutting and grow into beautiful, thriving plants. 

Above all, Diane loved life. She loved her family, both those born to her and those chosen as family. She was able to extend her love to any who asked, and perhaps more importantly, those who could not ask but needed it most of all. It is in this way she will be most sorely missed.

Diane was the oldest child of Sepreiono and Evelyn Falke Locaria. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Harold McMenomy, and her younger brother, Gary Joseph Locaria.

She is survived by her four children, William Jr., Michael, Kenneth and Elizabeth Regina. Her legacy lives on in her four grandchildren: Michelle Hernandez, Michael McMenomy Jr., Steven Mario McMenomy, and especially, Iris Evelyn Mathewson.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, at her home in Nice. Please contact her daughter, Regina, for details at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lighthouse Family Retreat ( https://lighthousefamilyretreat.org/donate/ ) or the Botanical Society of America ( http://botany.org/ ).

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Roland Kent Smith died instantly from injuries sustained in a vehicular collision on Aug. 6, 2015, in Middletown. He was 54.

He is survived by his parents; siblings; his three children, Nathaniel, Caleb and Hannah from Placer County; and his many dear friends in Lake County.

Roland was appreciative of the wonderful opportunities life had offered him. The son of a well-known missionary family gave him the opportunity not only to travel worldwide, but he also learned the joy of serving humanity. At heart, he was much more the giver than the taker.

He was a man of diverse talents, although to have initially met him, it is not likely that would be divulged. He was sensitive and modest, however, when it came to getting things done, he showed leadership and was self-motivated.

Roland made and kept friends easily and it's remarkable how many friends he made in his brief time with us. His talents and love are a great loss to this community.

Roland earned a Bachelor of Science in communications with honors from Trinity College (Sacramento); photography and media (Sierra College, Rocklin, Calif.); and psychology at Nazarene College (Colorado Springs). He attended Munich American International School (West Germany) and the Mexican American International School in Mexico City and spoke fluent Spanish and German.

He was the Renaissance-type man who was competent in many areas – from construction, mechanics, and so forth. But his outstanding work in society was in the area of broadcast TV, film and multimedia. He created specialized TV and multimedia products for organizations such as NASA, the International Space Station and the Department of Defense, and held top secret classified security clearances for counter-intelligence.

In the 1980s and 1990s he produced TV shows and documentaries both nationally and internationally, including Hollywood Then and Now and the Hollywood Classics Network. A specialist in Avid post-production systems, he designed and developed post facilities for the NFL, NBA and MLB, including upgrading several TV stations and studios to state-of-the-art HD digital video systems.

Roland received two consecutive Presidential Awards for his work at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., with the Detachment 9 Launch Programs, and the 21st Annual TELLY Award for the California Space Technology Association’s promotional campaign, among many other awards.

A resident of Lake County for only three years, Roland still had his extensive collection of video production equipment and was just preparing to reestablish his career by writing several short movie scripts with several residents of Lake County. At the time of his passing, Roland was about to embark as a project and video director, taking on considerable responsibilities to help develop a new resort for Lake County.

Finally, Roland eagerly offered his talents as a cast member of the Lake County Theatre Group for the musical production of Monty Python's “Spamalot” in 2014. Then, in 2015 he entered the Mr. Lake County Pageant just a two weeks before his tragic death where people rolled in the aisles at his entertaining performance. Record-Bee covered Roland’s last public appearance with his friends at the historic Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport, resulting in coverage on both the front cover and back page. What a way to end a charmed life – like a champagne glass overflowing!

A tribute party for our dear friend will be this Sunday, Aug. 30, in Kelseyville with silent auction to benefit his childrens’ trust; a unique video tribute, Roland’s favorite foods; dancing and music with David Neft.

RSVP to Jann Kitselman, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Casse at 707-349-4042 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; or send a friend request to the group “Remember Roland” on Facebook for full details.

David Paul Robinson Sr.
Jan. 22, 1947-Aug. 25, 2015

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Dave Robinson, 68, died Aug. 25, 2015, at his home in Citrus Heights under the care of hospice for one week after courageously fighting an aggressive form of melanoma for four months.

Dave is survived by his wife, Sandy; his son, David Robinson Jr., (Lindsey), and grandchildren, Ryan and Jodie Robinson; his daughter, Cindy Morrison (Guy) and granddaughter, Stephanie; his sister, Sandy Hickman, and nephew, Justin Dutcher; his half-brother, Paul Craig; his son-in-law, Scott Flodin (Kim) and grandchildren Isabella and Simone.

Dave was predeceased by his parents, David George Robinson and Theresa Robinson Craig, longtime former owners of the Sportsman's Harbor (”The Harbor”) in Nice.

Dave attended Upper Lake High School for his junior and senior years, transferring from Oakland. He found his niche as a co-captain of the football team for 1963-64. He also played on the basketball and baseball teams and was active in student government. His natural athletic prowess belied his congenital heart defects for which he had open heart surgery twice as a young child.

He was a loyal alumnus who proudly wore his letter sweater to many events during and after his high school years. He also attended many homecoming games through the years and all of the class reunions for the class of 1965. He had planned to attend the “Big 50” class reunion Sept. 26 with other alumni from the classes of 1965 and 1966.

Dave spent many years working for Del Monte Foods in Oakland, and ended his career working as a contractor with the California National Guard in Sacramento.

In addition to his family, Dave's passions included the San Francisco 49ers and oval dirt track auto racing. For many years, he worked as the pit crew, first for friends and neighbors, and then for his son, David (“Powerfeed”), and most recently for his grandchildren, Ryan and Jodie who are now racing in sprint cars

Dave also had a strong life long affinity for the number “4.” Early race cars in the family often had “4” on them; he was married 24 years to Sandy (having married on July 4 when he was age 44); he was ill for 4 months; and died peacefully, surrounded by family, at 4:44 p.m. on Aug. 25 after a four month illness.

Dave's wife and family will be hosting a celebration of life in Citrus Heights on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 2 to 7 p.m. at 6240 Astronaut Lane, Citrus Heights. Further information can be obtained by contacting Sandy Robinson at 916-212-2056 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dave's memory can be made to the Upper Lake Booster Club for the stadium lights project by sending donations to: Upper Lake Booster Club, Upper Lake High School. 675 Clover Valley Road, Upper Lake, CA 95485.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Vicente Alvarez Sr., 87, passed away on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.

He leaves his wife of 35 years, Teresa, and their four children, Vicente Jr., Susana, Mari and Jesus.

He was a Kelseyville resident for 40 years and known for his assistance to anyone who needed a job, place to stay, money or settling into this great country, thus earning him the nickname Don Vicente.

Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary on Friday, Sept. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon., with funeral services to follow at noon.

John Melvin
11/20/1958 - 8/22/2015

NICE, Calif. – John Melvin was born in San Francisco, where he attended school.

After serving in the US Army for two years, he moved to the east Bay Area where he lived for 20 years.

He later relocated to Nice, Calif., where many residents depended on him to drive them on their errands.

John is survived by his father, John; sisters, Stefanie, Martha and Jennifer; his brother, Ross; and nieces and nephews.

He will be dearly missed by his friends and family.