William Thomson Comstock
COMSTOCK, William Thomson In Sacramento on August 17, 2008, Bill was a third generation Sacramentan. Following graduation from C.K. McClatchy High School in 1957, he attended Sacramento Junior College, the University of California at Berkeley and Fresno State University, from which he received his bachelor's degree in history. After a six-month stint in the United States Army, he returned to Sacramento where he was employed by Thomson-Diggs Hardware, a business founded by his great-grandfather in 1900. In 1964, he entered the field of life insurance, which would be his career for 44 years. After a decade in personal sales with State Mutual Life Insurance, he was named the managing partner and general agent for the region's branch of America's oldest chartered mutual life insurance company, New England Life. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest general agent for New England in the country. He remained in the position for 22 years, then retired from agency management and began his own estate planning business. During his long career he was a 20-consecutive-year recipient of the industry's National Management Award. He earned his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation over 30 years ago, served as president of the Sacramento Association of Life Underwriters and president of the Sacramento General Agents and Managers' Association. One of the highlights of his career with New England was his nomination for the company's Agency of the Year award. He was highly respected throughout his field and taught several management training courses over the years. "He was an excellent lecturer and teacher," according to Edward L. Prindle of Metropolitan Life. "Integrity was the hallmark of his career and of his classroom lessons." Bill's sense of humor and story-telling ability were essential parts of his personality. He loved life, had more than his share of fun and brought a lot of laughter to his family and many friends. The pleasure of his company was a gift that will be long remembered. Bill was an avid card player - poker and bridge were his favorites, and he accumulated many master points in duplicate bridge tournaments in and around California. His favorite pastime was dominoes, which he played daily with his friends at the Sutter Club for over 30 years. He was a member of the Sutter Club for 43 years and served as director there. He also served as a board member of the Sacramento Zoological Society and on the Foundation of the Sacramento Musical Theater Company's Broadway Series. Bill was an active member of Washington Lodge #20, the Sacramento Scottish Rite and Ben Ali Temple of the Shrine, and was past director of the Royal Order of Jesters Court # 19. He was also a member of the Grandfathers' Club, co-founded by his own grandfather, Frederick F. Thomson, in 1941. He was preceded in death by his parents William Delmer Comstock and Sarah Jane Comstock. He is survived by his daughter Carmel Suzanne, her husband Tim Carmichael, his granddaughter and grandson Isabella and Jackson, his brother Tim Comstock, sister-in-law Nancy, and nephews Tim (Courtney) and Will. At his request there will be no services. Contributions can be made to the Sacramento Children's Receiving Home, the Shriner's Hospital for Children or to the charity of the donor's choice. A reception for friends will be held at the Sutter Club at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2008.  Richard Kenneth Shafer     SHAFER, Richard Kenneth Richard passed away August 11, 2008, in Reno at the age of 69. He was a native of Sacramento and graduated from C.K. McClatchy High School. He later attended U.C. Berkeley and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He lived most of his adult years in Sparks, Nev., where he raised his family. He loved outdoor sports especially baseball and played for many years as a young man. He enjoyed trips to Lake Tahoe and Disneyland with his children and later going to Giants games with his grandson Rustin. He was preceded in death by his wife Kay. He is survived by his mother Luise Blaske, sisters Ellen Woolverton and Marsha Howard, children Soleil (Tranquilli), Andre, Holly, Kirsten, grandchildren Rustin, Forrest, Sofia, Natasha, Aidan, and Scarlett. A private family memorial service will be held.