Remembrances
Editor ’ s Note : We ’ ve decided to share recent obituaries of individuals who played a unique role in Mountain View ’ s history . Space permitting , we will continue to do so in future newsletters . To submit an obituary , email us at newsletter @ mountainviewhistorical . org .
Judith Moss , �irst woman on City Council , 96
Judith Moss , who died on December 13 , was born to Louis and Bryna Moss in Brooklyn , NY on July 11 , 1924 . After receiving her bachelor ’ s degree from Vassar College she joined the Statistical Research Group in the US Navy . After World War II she worked in computers at the Port of New York Authority as the only female hired when few women worked on that �ield .
Moss , who also earned master ’ s degrees in economics and computer engineering , helped set up the �irst computer system for the City of Philadelphia . She then became manager of state and local sales for the computer department of General Electric . In 1966 she moved to California to work in Lockheed ’ s information systems .
Later , Moss became Vice Chancellor of the San Francisco Community College District . In 1972 she was the �irst woman elected to the Mountain View City Council . She served two terms as mayor .
After she retired , she remained active as a member of the Board of Trustees of Foothill-De Anza College . She continued an active life of community volunteerism .
According to her family she had a keen intellect and a sharp sense of humor . Moss , who never married , is survived by �ive nephews .
Excerpts on Moss from the book , Milestones : A History of Mountain View :
“ In 1968 , Mountain View resident Judith Moss called the city clerk to inquire about the process of running for political of�ice . The clerk offered to mail Moss some forms . To Moss ’ s surprise , the next morning ’ s newspaper reported that she was running for city council . Moss recalled , “ No one ever heard of me . I came out of nowhere . It was a new concept : a professional woman and an apartment dweller ” running for Mountain View City Council . She did not win that election , but in 1973 when she ran again , she became the �irst woman city council member . In 1975 , she became the �irst woman mayor . Ever since , there have been women on the Mountain View City Council .”
Robert Burns , former �ire chief , 91 .
Robert Burns , who died on Oct . 11 , was born to Bernard and Mynie Burns on Dec . 12 , 1928 , in Colorado Springs , Colorado .
He grew up in Berkeley , graduated from St . Mary ’ s High School in 1947 and studied at Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon before enlisting in the Air Force in 1949 . Burns married Mary Morse in 1951 . He joined the Contra Costa Fire Department in 1955 . In 1961 he was hired by the Mountain View Fire Department and became chief in 1976 .
He developed a master plan that became a national model , then lectured and consulted widely on master planning , �ire loss management and disaster preparedness .
Burns also volunteered with the Boy Scouts Troop 80 , March of Dimes , Amigos de La Raza , Catholic Social Services and Bear Valley Volunteer Fire Department . He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years , Mary , in 2014 . He is survived by his seven children and 14 grandchildren .
Frank Hoshida , owner of Bob ’ s Drive-In cleaners , 96
Frank Hoshida , who died on December 12 was born to Juzo and Toku Hoshida on December 30 , 1923 , in San Jose , CA . He graduated from Mountain View High School .
Hoshida and his family were incarcerated during World War II in the Heart Mountain Internment Camp in Wyoming . Near the end of the war he was drafted into the Army and assigned to the Military Intelligent Service ( MIS ). When the war ended in 1945 Hoshida was sent with the MIS to Japan .
When he returned to Mountain View , Hoshida worked for his brother Bob at Bob ’ s Drive-In Cleaners . After his brother passed away , Hosida and his wife , Yoshiko Clara , ran the business for 28 years .
Hoshida was an avid supporter of the Mountain View Buddhist Temple . He enjoyed volunteering for the annual Obon Festival .
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years , Yoshiko Clara . Hoshida is survived by his two children , �ive grandchildren and �ive great-grandchildren .
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