The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it... who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.
Obituary
Lloyd Plank is a veteran of the Navy, having served in both WWII and the Korean War. He grew up in a little town with 26 people called Cream Wisconsin, graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison (Naval Engineering Academy), and then served overseas in the pacific starting as an ensign and reaching the level of Lieutenant Junior Grade and Chief Engineer of several vessels including a mine sweep group and transport.
As a kid, Lloyd grew up in the smallest of small towns at the crossroads of the county, in Wisconsin. His parents, Emilia & Richard Plank owned the town’s Tavern during Prohibition, that also served as a Dancehall/Roller Rink/Basketball Court. His mom, ran the bar & Lloyd grew up entertaining the patrons by singing with the band and earning tips by saying cuss words!
As a small kid, he walked to school through the snow early in the morning to light the fire in the schoolroom. He was a good student throughout his young life. He likes to say that he was second in his class, but of course, there were only two people in his class! Lloyd also played shortstop on his town baseball team & played basketball at Alma High School (despite being the shortest guy on the team at 5'7").
Lloyd was 15 years old when World War II started, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in early 1943 when he was old enough.. He was accepted into the Naval Reserve Air Corps and had hopes to be a Navy pilot. He was enrolled in the engineering program in college, but by 1944 they needed fewer pilots, and wanted more engineers.
Lloyd was deployed to the pacific in 1946, and his first assignment as a new Ensign was to manage all of the tender boats that transported people from ship to ship in Hong Kong harbor. Later on, he was assigned to an oil tanker providing much needed fuel for Japan after the surrender.
After the war, he came back and graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison (Naval Engineering Academy). Then began work at Standard Oil of California, at El Segundo, CA. He had many happy days living in Manhattan Beach, but was less happy when he was recalled to the Navy for the Korean War four years later in 1952.
After his service on a mine sweep group, transport and destroyer, he resumed work at the El Segundo refinery as an engineer. One fateful day, his boss called on him to devise better ways of getting the most out of employees. This work was the most fulfilling of Lloyd’s life & enabled him to work with people across Standard Oil/Chevron to develop better training programs. He even hired most of the employees in Hawaii.
Lloyd spent the next 38 years working for Chevron Oil and developed the first management programs based on the principles of Drucker, Deming, Blanchard and other pioneers. He went on to run a major division of human resources involving management and senior executive training.
Lloyd picked up his first pair of skis and skied his first run back in 1948, when Dave McCoy opened up the first rope tow on Mammoth Mountain, CA. He spent most every winter skiing somewhere from 1949 to 2016. His favorites were Mammoth, Alta, UT, and Sun Valley, ID where he met people like Warren Miller (who, before he was famous for ski films was a ski bum living in the Sun Valley parking lot).
During the time Lloyd lived at the Strand House with six other bachelors in Manhattan Beach, they were famous for the "Christmas in July" parties on the beach (as they had their own volleyball court). He also spent many years hiking, fishing, hunting and skiing every other weekend.
Lloyd was a bachelor until he was 38 years old. One day an elementary school teacher named Joyce walked into his life when she showed up to his house when her "cheap date" got the party date wrong. The rest is history as Lloyd and Joyce have now been married 60 years.
If you have ever met Lloyd, you know how much of an extrovert he is. He is always full of energy and always ready to tell an engaging story. Lloyd would always seek out interesting people to meet. He was always interested. He was also very interesting to know.
In 1968, Lloyd and Joyce adopted Ross and then in 1970, Elsbeth. He was always involved in scouts, helping coach soccer and basketball for his kid's teams, and attending any concert or other activity that his kids were involved in. Every year our family would end up in Sun Valley for skiing, sometimes taking side trips to Alta, Snowbird, Grand Targhee, Vail, Aspen, Telluride, Taos, and many other mountains to chase the best powder.
Lloyd lived life to the fullest, was always active and always involved. He passed away comfortably in his sleep, but was able to talk to lots of friends & loved ones before he left us. He leaves behind a loving family, great friends and many many stories of the incredible adventures that made up his 98 years. We should all be so lucky.
Contact
Plank Family
2233 255th Street
Lomita, CA. 90717
Email: Ross.plank@gmail.com
A celebration of life for Lloyd will be held on November 2, 2024 (see below for details)
Timeline
5 year old Lloyd entertains the patrons by singing with the band
Enlisted in the Navy (WWII was going on)
Reports for duty in July in San Francisco and heads directly out to sea on the U.S.S. Marias
U.S.S. Marias & U.S.S. LCI & U.S. Government Derrick Boat 767
Stationed in Hong Kong, then at Sea on a Tanker Supplying Oil to Japan
Medals: American Area, China Service, Victory
Standard Oil of California (Chevron)
with Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering
(somehow convinces Stan Kenton (& June Christy) and his big band orchestra to play at his graduation)
Moves to California
1948-1952 (living in Manhattan Beach, CA)
First Trip to Mammoth
Joins the National Ski Patrol
1952-1954 Stationed in Japan and Korea as an Executive Officer & Chief Engineer
Medals: United States Service Medal, Korean Services Medal, National Defense
Living in the "Strand House" on the beach
Lloyd Meets Joyce
Honeymoon in Yosemite at the Ahwahnee Hotel
Gallery
Videos
Memory wall
Soooo sorry to hear of Lloyd's passing. I worked with Lloyd for years at Chevron. He was the kindest (and most interesting/funny) boss I ever had. Maybe the smartest too. Always had an interesting story to share about his life experiences, his career and his family. Also took interest in my career, life and family. He took fullest advantage of his long life. Rest in Peace Lloyd. May you ski fresh power forever! Love ya'. Denny
I have no significant photos to share, really, but I want to share with you, the most significant photos in my memory bank.
Because our condominiums in Sun Valley were adjoining, each with a large corner window ... and because neither Lloyd and Joyce, nor I were particularly private people, we could easily see most of each others comings and goings!
My favorite memory of Joyce, was watching her, almost daily, pass by my corner window, as she began her walk to and from town. For most of the 30 years we were neighbors, she wore the same bright gold jacket! (this is not unusual in Sun Valley!). I would see Joyce on Sun Valley Road, at the market, and at various bus stops ... always in the same gold jacket. Sometimes, on her way home, she would stop at 'Konditorei', where I would see her deeply engrossed in a new book .. and need I say ... wearing her gold jacket! I could spot Joyce halfway across town in that jacket, and it always brought a smile to my face!
Lloyd passed by my window often, as well. He would head out, usually alone, for a half day of skiing, and later on, after he gave up skiing, he would do laps around our building on his red walker, better know as his Lamborghini! As you might imagine, he never passed up a chance to talk with neighbors ... that is, if they were up to it!!! Ha!!!
In the later years, when Lloyd was no longer driving, we shared many dinners out and our indisputable favorite dinner was the $5 hamburger night at Elkhorn ... a wonderful setting!
And so ... saving the best for last ... the most poignant picture in my entire memory bank is the scene that I saw nearly every evening, through their corner window. Lloyd and Joyce, seated at the dinner table, tv on ... happily sharing a meal, or just happily sharing each other. Like a Norman Rockwell painting ... so common place and yet so comfortable and comforting to me.
When it was time for them to return to California, I would hear Lloyd in the early hours of the morning, slowly and quietly dragging their bags to the car. This was a very sad sound to me, because I knew the next time I looked out my door the blinds would be closed again.
So ... it is with a very heavy heart that I say once again, "Good bye, neighbor." I will always miss you.
Love, Cheryl
We extend our deepest sympathies and are thinking of you.
During the Spring of 1971, my family moved into the house across the street from the Planks. From that time, our families developed a wonderful and enduring friendship. My sister, Diane, and I were delighted to become "built-in" babysitters for Ross and Elsbeth. We appreciated Lloyd walking us home (across the street!) after he and Joyce returned from their evenings out.
Lloyd was gregarious, energetic, enthusiastic, and positive. He was also talkative (!), friendly, and interested in just about everyone and everything!
Lloyd would often knock on our front door, or not at all, and come in to visit. I can hear him say while standing in our entry way: "Is anyone home?" He and Dad spent a lot of time back and forth in their respective homes and gardens, while doing yard work, and on the street talking about Chevron and Shell, the stock market, politics, and their favorite sports teams.
Lloyd and Joyce were always interested in what my sister and I were doing, not only during our formative years, but also when we were grown and independent. They celebrated our birthdays, graduations, our send-offs to university, my first trip to Europe where I studied in France, our weddings, and many other occasions and accomplishments. They appreciated our adventures as they embraced their own. Lloyd also mentored me about work matters and the pros of attending graduate school.
I loved that our parents, Carol and Emmett, and Lloyd and Joyce were the best of neighbors and friends. Always there for and with each other through many chapters of their lives. As neighborly as any four people could be: helping repair things for each other; borrowing tools, flour and sugar from each other; picking up mail, watering, giving rides to BART and the airport; sharing drinks, dinner parties, trips, and on and on. Looking across the street at night to see that their respective lights came on and that everyone returned home.
Lloyd, we couldn't have asked for a better friend and neighbor. Thank you for being with us on this journey and for your love. We miss you already. Rest in peace, dear friend.
With much love and gratitude,
Gayle Miller-Janton and Jay Janton
Rest in peace, dear friend. We miss you tremendously.
Carol and Emmett
We send our love and condolences to the whole family. I met Llyod several times, first time, when he came to Switzerland with a family tree in his case. I was a child, when an English speaking man knocked at our door - holding a family tree in his hand and looking for relatives of the family Kindschi in Davos. His mother was born as a Kindschi from Davos and still speaking Swiss German at that time. With our family he found what he was looking for and the realationsship of two families in Switzerland and America was born. In 1978 I was travelling from Seattle, where I worked as a skiteacher, to San Francisco and I was staying with the family Plank. I remember a very warm and friendly welcome. They showed me San Francisco, what an unforgetable experience. I will keep Lloyd in good memory and I wish all the best to the family. Heidi Haller-Kindschi
I am married to Heinrich Haller and we have 3 children. Ursina, Niklaus and Christian Haller
I am deeply saddened to hear of Mr. Plank's passing. I had the privilege of meeting Loyld about four years ago while I was in my gerontology program at Sacramento State University. I was paired with him as my Mentor for my practicum, and my son Paul and I would spend evenings and weekends at River Ridge, where he shared so many rich stories with us. From his childhood memories to his time working with Chevron, Loyld always emphasized the importance of being kind and striving for greatness. His wisdom and kindness left a lasting impact on both me and my son. Even after losing touch during the pandemic, Paul often asked how he was doing. I’m so grateful for the time we spent together and the lessons he shared with us. Thank you, Mr Plank, for the stories, the advice, and the memories. Praying for Joyce & the family. May his soul rest in peace.
We have so many memories of Lloyd and the wonderful times that we shared. When we moved next door to Lloyd and Joyce thirty eight years ago we gained a good neighbor and a special friend. He and Joyce were very welcoming and kind to us which made our settling in period easy.
Over the years we came to appreciate his positivity and zest for life - he made the most of it.
When we moved away and would call, he would answer with, “hey, the Taylors!” which brings a smile to our face. He made one feel special and always showed interest in one’s children and what they were doing.
We shall miss him. Sleep well Lloyd.
I met Mr. Lloyd as a 19 year old sophomore student at the Sacramento State Gerontology program. He was assigned as my “mentor” and our first meeting we bonded over living in Japan and me being a military navy kid living overseas. My assignment was to meet with him once a week for a requirement and write a final research paper about our mentor at the end of our semester. Each meeting we talked about his time as a young lad in the military, building his family, and bonded over our same taste in music! I was honored every time to listen to his life stories and experiences. He was kind, caring, funny, witty, and I could tell he was just the best human to surround yourself with. Only with a couple of meetings in 2 months, he made a profound difference in my life.
To this day, I’m so glad he was my mentor. He has inspired me, I believe he was an angel sent to be to guide me on my journey in becoming a nurse. I never spent time with my grandpa, but if I did, to me I feel Mr. L was a close figure to one. He would always say I would make a great nurse! I am now 25, graduated with my BSN this past August, and weeks away from taking my NCLEX-RN exam and hope he is wishing me luck! He was a big part of my journey to get to where I am. I will always cherish our memories and remember him as an extraordinary human who lived a great life and inspired those around him.. Rest in love, Mr. L 🤍💐
Lloyd and Joyce were so sweet and kind, always with a smile.
My mother Evelyn Erlewine love your parents, we always remember one day they were coming to Fresno to let us meet their baby boy Ross, they were late and we were all wondering what was keeping them, when they finally came to my grandmother’s house (Ruth) your moms mom, they were laughing and told us Uncle Lloyd was pulled over in downtown Fresno for driving to slow, we were laughing so hard. After my mom passed we lost contact with them.
I hope your mother is doing ok, what a life your dad had with you all.
All the trips and memories will keep him alive in your hearts forever.
Always Brenda Erlewine Martin
marksg4@mac.com
Family tree
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The other area that Lloyd spent so much time with was in leadership development and in developing leaders with good ethical and critical thinking skills. We also invite you to donate to the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) https://www.ccl.org/about-us/support-ccl/make-a-gift/.
Together, let us continue the legacy that Lloyd embodied throughout his life.
