Helen Bell, surfing champ,
golfer, Realtor, dies at 72

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Helen Duryea Dietz Bell, 75, owner of Mike Dietz Golf Shops and Ann Grubb Realtors, died Friday at her Niu Peninsula home.

“She was wonderful,” said husband Dr. Douglas B. Bell II.

She was forward-looking, not dwelling on the negatives, quite outgoing -- but at the same time thoughtful and considerate, he said.

Born in New York City, she spent most of her life in Hawaii and was known for trademark plumeria blossoms in her hair. She led an active life, graduating from Punahou School in 1939 and attending Dominican College in San Rafael, Calif.

In her senior year at Punahou, she was Hawaii’s first women’s surfing champion, surfing with such legends as Duke Kahanamoku and Blue Makua. She later lived in New York City, dancing with the Martha Graham Dance Troupe and working as a cub reporter for the New York Times.

She eventually joined the Women’s Army Corps, serving as a company commander. For some years after her Army service, she, professional golfer husband Mike Dietz and their two toy poodles followed the PGA tour which included Dietz’s participation in six National Open Golf Tournaments and four National PGA Championships.

Returning to Hawaii, they founded Mike Dietz Golf Shops Inc. and held the pro shop concessions at Ala Wai, Pali, Makalena, Kaneohe Clipper and Wailua (Kauai) golf courses. In addition to Mike Dietz Golf Shop in King’s Alley in Waikiki, they also owned Banyan Golf Course in Hilo and managed Ala Wai Driving Range. Dietz died in 1981.

After that, Bell concentrated on Ann Grubb Realtors.

She belonged to the Honolulu Board of Realtors, Punahou Alumni Association, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Oahu Country Club, Thursday Hacker and Prince Kuhio Golf Club.

She is also survived by sister Suzanne Duryea Witt; and half brother Arthur Warren Duryea Jr.

Services will take place 3 p.m. Sunday at the family home with scattering of ashes to follow. Aloha attire. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to Punahou School or the American Lung Association of Hawaii.

Alfredo C. Bucsit, 76, of Honolulu died April 22 in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Pangasinan, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Juanita; sons Rolando, Wilfredo, Alfredo Jr., Rodrigo and Anthony; daughter Carmenchita Castro; sister Warlita Lucas; and 12 grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call 6-9 p.m. Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Frankie A. Cruzada, 70, of Hanamaulu, Kauai, a custodian for Woolworth, died April 21 in Manila. Born in the Philippines, he is survived by wife Lalia P.; sons Bobby, John and Donny; daughters Adela Flores and Ness Baris; 12 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Visitation: 6-9 p.m. tomorrow at Borthwick Kauai Mortuary. Mass: 10 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church, Kapaia. Call after 8:30 a.m. Casual or aloha attire.

Richard A. Fernandez, 70, of Honolulu, a retiree of Pan American Airlines, died Monday in Queen’s Hospital. Born in Hilo, he is survived by daughter Sandra Hughston; brothers Boyson E. Matsu and Earl P. and Renald K. Fernandez; sisters Elaine U. Mattson, Marvis M. Matson, Dawn K. Pokini and Merna L. Akana; and three grandchildren. Services: noon Monday at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nuuanu Ward. Call from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Pacific.

Jack B. Ham, 65, of Kau, Hawaii, an automotive and aviation mechanic and veteran of the U.S. Army, died Friday at home. Born in Taft, Calif., he is survived by wife Sandra J.; son Sky; daughters Christine Duckworth, Karen Green, Diane Ham, Kelly Cameron and Star Davis; mother Matilda; and sisters Johnnie C. Buzuko, Patricia Hines and Nancy Smith. No Hawaii services.

Howard D. Hole, 76, of Kailua, a retired mechanical and professional engineer, died Wednesday in Salem, Ore. He served as a radio operator and gunner in U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II when he became a prisoner of war. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal. He also formed his own company, Howard Hole & Associates, and was a former president of Hawaii Society of Professional Engineers. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Dorothy B.R.; son Howard D. Jr.; daughter Rhonda D. Wolter; sister Kathleen Schauer; and a grandchild. Services held. Scattering of ashes in Hawaii at a later date. Donations suggested to Hawaiian Humane Society of St. Francis Hospice.

Sumiko “Sue” Ichimura, 73, of Honolulu, a retired bookkeeper for Hawaiian Heritage Books Inc., died Monday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by brother Yoshio Ichimura; and sisters Masako Yoshioka and Yaeko Nonaka. Memorial services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Robert S. Ishikawa, 92, of Mililani, former director of Wahiawa General Hospital, died Monday in Wahiawa General Hospital. Born in Waipahu, he is survived by wife Harriet K.; daughter Lani T. Nedbalek; brother Kenneth S.; and a grandson. Services: 6 p.m. Saturday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 5 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Yasue Ito, 83, of Captain Cook, Hawaii died Monday in Kona Community Hospital. Born in Mauka Kealakekua, Hawaii, she is survived by sons Dorsey, Burton and Edward; daughter Kay Uejio; and six grandchildren. Services: 5 p.m. Monday at Kona Hongwanji Mission, Kealakekua. Call after 4 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Tsura Jitchaku, 110, of Honolulu died Sunday in Maunalani Nursing Center. Born on Okinawa, she is survived by daughters Kameko Harakuni, Aileen S. Takara, Mildred Suganuma, Cynthia Olsen and Shirley Young; 16 grandchildren; and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Sunday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Wilfred L. Lee, 75, of Kailua, a retired administrator and employee of City and County Housing Department, died April 22 in Kailua. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Alma H.N.; brother Campbell; sisters Keakealani L. Char, Leinaala Apau, Leilani L. Chun and Momilani L. Hartman. Private services.

Mary M. O’Donnell, 66, of Rockford, Ill., a former teacher in Hawaii, died Tuesday in Santa Rosa, Calif. She is survived by daughter Anna Elefant; brothers Daniel and William McCullough; stepdaughter Kathy Sullivan-Tibbals; stepson Mike O’Donnell; and three grandchildren. No services. Donations suggested to Home Hospice of Sonoma County, 1110 N. Dutton, Santa Rosa, Calif. 95401 or to any children’s group.

Richard A. Pauli, 58, of Captain Cook, Hawaii, a retired accountant with General Electric, Chicago, and a veteran of the U.S. Army, died April 22. Born in Chicago, he is survived by son Scott; sister Barbara Unger; and two grandchildren. Memorial services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Scott and Marnie Pauli residence, Kohala Estates, Kawaihae. Phone 883-9417 for directions. Call after 1 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Jessica G. Robianes, infant daughter of Jessie and Lalaine of Honokaa, died April 19 in North Hawaii Community Hospital. She is also survived by brother Jessie; sisters Leilani and Maria T.; grandparents Eulalia Gonzales and Nemesio Robianes; and great-grandparents Agustine and Francisca Gonzales. Graveside services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Honokaa Catholic Church. Casual attire.

Restituta T. Sandobal, 99, of Aiea died April 23 in Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Born in Caceres, Cebu, the Philippines, she is survived by sons Maximo, Pete, Alfonso,Albert and James; daughters Holeta Atmospera, Felisa Pacatan and Lou Comajis; 31 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Wake: 7 p.m. Sunday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call 6-9 p.m. Mass: 10 a.m. Monday at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 99-312 Moanalua Road, Aiea. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Sunset Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Alice P. Silva, 83, of Honolulu died Sunday in Straub Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by daughter Geraldine Mendes; brothers John Pacheco and and Daniel De Rego; two grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Services: 11:30 a.m. Monday at Star of the Sea Church. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Ramon C. “Coach Silva” Silva, 62, of Honolulu, a retired carpenter for Hawaiian Dredging, died April 23 in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Mary F.; sons Francis, Lester, David, Malcolm, Ramon and Donovan; daughters Yvonne Silva and Peggy Stoutenger; brothers Romeo, Graciano, Dennis, Leslie, Alvin, Clark and Barry; sisters Lolita Allas, Miriam Maio, Yolanda Silva-Dunn, Natalie Silva and Edwina Bishop; 21 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Services: 7 p.m. Sunday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call 6-9 p.m. Services: 8:45 a.m. Monday at Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, 1184 Bishop St. Call from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe. Casual attire. No flowers.

Mildred O. Suzuki, 81, of Aiea, a retired stenographer, died April 20 at home. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband Tokue; son Steven S.; brothers Donald K. and Harold B. Ohata; and a grandson. Private services.

Santiago P. Talaroc, 92, of Honolulu died April 22 at home. Born in the Philippines, he is survived by sons Herbert and Raymond; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Private services.

Jean H. Taliaferro, 80, of Honolulu died March 20 in Convalescent Center of Honolulu. Born in Riverside, Calif., she is survived by brother William Herbert. Private scattering of ashes.

Masanobu Tamashiro, 72, of Chicago, born in Kohala, Hawaii, died April 8 in Chicago. He was a veteran of 442nd Regimental Combat Team and recipient of the Purple Heart. He is survived by brothers Roy S. and Melvin S.; and sisters Alice S. Nakayama and Aileen Y. Nishida. Private services.

Tsuzuki Tanaka, 94, of Honolulu, a retired cook for Pearl City Tavern, died Friday in Straub Hospital. Born in Kumamoto, Japan, he is survived by sons Paul T., Richard H., Bernard Y. and Stanley K.; daughter Bessie S. Kamiya; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Services: noon Sunday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Cremation to follow. Casual attire. No flowers.

Kazuma Tateishi, 87, of Honolulu, a retired carpenter, died April 20 in Straub Hospital. Born in Lihue, he is survived by wife Edith F.; daughter Carole F. Tamanaha; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Private services.

Eleanor T. Tavares, 69, of Waimanalo died Monday in Castle Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband Daniel L.; daughter Sandra Inaura; son Daniel L. Jr.; brothers Frank, Henry, Joseph and James Gutierres; and a grandson. Mass: 11:30 a.m. Saturday at St. George Church, Waimanalo. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Ernest K.C. Wong, an insurance agent died in Kuakini Hospital. He is survived by wife Lynn M.; daughters Shari Martin, Marcia Somer and Teri Bennett; brothers Kenneth and Robert; and four grandchildren. Services over ashes: 11 a.m. Sunday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Emiliana P. Yadao, 95, of Waipahu died April 13 in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Sinait, Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, she is survived by sons Crispulo, Primitivo and Alipio; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. tomorrow at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call 6-9 p.m. Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Wilbur W.K. Yoon, 78, of Honolulu, a retired dispatcher for MTL Inc., died April 16 at home. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Mary; brothers Kenneth and David W.B. Yoon and Donald W.T. Lee; and sisters Jessie Lee Brown, Jackie Y.H. Akana and Leatrice Chung. Private services.

Barbara J. Young, 60, of Hawaii, office manager for Honolulu Seed Co., died Friday in Queen’s Hospital. She was also secretary for Ka Mauna O’Oliveta, Church of the True God. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by brothers Edward and the Rev. Ernest Tom-Ling; and sisters Louise Duke and Annie Alana. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Elton M. Zackious, 42, of Makawao, Maui will be remembered in services tomorrow. He was killed when his vehicle collided head-on with another on Hana Highway Sunday. He was a maintenance worker at Puamana Condominium Complex. Born in Majuro, Marshall Islands, he is survived by children’s mother Cathy-Ann Bosque; parents Enos and Neia B. Tibnol; children Gomez E., Gregory R. and Guy F.; sister Nenia Netwan; two sisters; and nine brothers. Services: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Ballard Family Mortuary. Call 6-9 p.m. Cremation to follow.