July 3, 2008

Untimely deaths over the weekend

By Carol Rosen
Editor

Three people with connections to Almaden died over the weekend, two of heart attacks and one in a motorcycle crash.

Terry McElhatton, 52, a popular Valley Christian High School television and video teacher, passed away from a heart attack Saturday after a day of wind surfing with his son Chris.

Richard Sim, 19, a popular graduate of Leland High School who was attending West Valley College, also passed away on Saturday night while eating dinner with his family. He had suffered from a heart condition.

And, Joseph Dinapoli was killed Friday night after his motorcycle crashed into a tree about 8:30 p.m. on Almaden Expressway near McAbee Road. The 28-year-old died at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center at 9:25 p.m. At press time, the crash was still under investigation.

Terry McElhatton
Mr. McElhatton, whose name may sound familiar because of his father TV newsman Dave McElhatton, had been at Valley Christian for the past eight years. He helped build the school’s television and communications department, which school officials say was nearly non-existent before his arrival.

“Terry had a heart for training young people with the strongest Christian character to become the world’s most effective communicators,” said Dr. Clifford Daugherty, president and superintendent of Valley Christian Schools. “His purpose at VCHS was to restore Christian values to the media through the influence of his students. There is no doubt that many of his students will thrill Terry's heart as they achieve that goal while he watches from heaven.”

“His faith was strong and the loss is great,” said Claude Fletcher, the school’s chancellor. “He was not just well-known among our students but very popular and well loved.”

Mr. McElhatton had just accepted an appointment as assistant professor in the communications department at San Jose State University, but told officials that he would continue to help the high school any way he could, “because I want to always be part of helping to shape the lives of Valley students.”

He leaves behind his wife Robin, his son Chris and his daughter Lauren, who attended the school and will be a teacher at Valley Christian starting in the fall.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 13 at 3 p.m. at Calvary Church, 16330 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to a memorial fund to help pay for Chris’ college education. Checks should be made out to Valley Christian Schools with Terry McElhatton Memorial on the memo line, and sent to the school at 100 Skyline Drive, San Jose, CA 95111.

Richard Sim
Mr. Sim was the son of Eun Hee and Chae Hyan Sim. Friends say he always made a point of eating at home with his family.

The Leland graduate was studying at West Valley College and making all A’s. He spent a good deal of his time working in youth ministry for the Korean Baptist Church in Saratoga. An avid violinist, he taught children at the church how to play. He also played keyboard there as well as singing and dancing.

“Not only did he have musical talent, but he loved to make people laugh,” said Sheridan Bowman, the mother of a close friend. In addition, “he was a leader and everyone loved him. There were at least 600 people at his wake on Tuesday night,” she said. At the wake, his brother Steve spoke in his honor as well as his best friend Jon Erickson, whom he met in eighth grade at Bret Harte Middle School.

Mr. Sim loved and “was passionate” about playing and watching basketball. He started playing in 1997 and played for Gilroy’s Shoot Out team in 2002. He was named Mr. Hustle at Leland during his freshman year for his quick sprints down the court. However, that was the last year he was allowed to play due to his heart murmur.

“He told his friends not to worry about him [because of his heart condition]. He said he was strong and that he would always be fine,” Bowman said noting that Mr. Sim had been one of her daughter’s best friends since sixth grade. “I knew him well and adored his positive attitude and winning smile. He was a good young man.”

Services for Mr. Sim took place on Wednesday, July 2 at the Lima Family Mortuary on Winchester Boulevard. He was buried at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos.

Bowman has set up a memorial fund for the family. Mr. Sim’s father also has a heart condition and is unable to work, his mom is the breadwinner and his brother attends DeAnza College and works part time to help out the family’s finances. The memorial is at Washington Mutual at Almaden Plaza at Camden and Almaden Expressway. Anyone can donate to the account by contacting the bank.