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Joseph Yzurdiaga |
Joseph Yzurdiaga, a UCLA graduate, successful investment advisor and major contributor to UCLA’s Stein Eye Institute, passed away on September 14, 2015, at his home in Montecito, California. He was 82 years old. Yzurdiaga was born in Chino, California, and served in the United States Navy prior to his investment career, which he began with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. He later worked for several prestigious financial firms, including Crowell, Weedon & Co. Recently, Yzurdiaga and his wife Patricia gave $5 million to Stein Eye to establish the Patricia and Joseph Yzurdiaga Endowed Vision Science Research Fund. Previously, they created the Pat and Joe Yzurdiaga Endowed Cataract Fund. Upon Yzurdiaga’s passing, Stein Eye also received more than $7 million. He is survived by his wife Patricia; daughter Leslie Figari and her husband Bryan; sons Ken Yzurdiaga and his wife Dana and Mark Yzurdiaga and his wife Lisa; as well as grandchildren Linda Yzurdiaga, Michael Figari, Patrick Figari, Kate Yzurdiaga, Kevin Figari and Maddy Yzurdiaga.
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Robert Draine |
Robert Draine, a longtime friend of UCLA Health Sciences, passed away on December 14, 2015. He was 90 years old. Draine was an advocate for both Alzheimer’s disease research and support for patients and their caregivers. In 2012, he provided the impetus to establish the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program and was integral in promoting, expanding and fundraising for the initiative. To date, the program has served more than 1,550 patients and their families. In honor of his unwavering commitment, he was presented with a Dean’s Letter of Proclamation in 2014 for his ongoing support of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA — particularly the UCLA Division of Geriatrics and the UCLA Longevity Center. Draine is survived by his wife Jackie Perkins Draine and their children and grandchildren.