Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Pharmacy

50-Year Pharmacists

50-Year Pharmacists Honored at the Board Meeting on July 23, 2008
Image of Richard Fox, 50-year Pharmacist

Richard Franklin
License Issued 1950

"Thank you very much to the board for this recognition. It’s been a lot of fun being in pharmacy. I’ve owned many stores and trained many storeowners. ”
Image of Richard Rogers, 50-year Pharmacist

Clarence Hiura
License Issued 1958

"I want the students to know that this is what happens after 50 years. I encourage you to get involved because the board members have learned so much within their positions and duties. I encourage you to get involved because the board members have learned so much within their positions and duties. I want to thank the board. I have served 4 four-year terms since 1979, appointed by various governors. If it wasn’t for the support that I have from my family I could not have done this. Thank you all very much."

Image of William Stenberg, 50-year Pharmacist

Gregory G. Roumpos
License Issued 1958

“I would like to thank the state of California for the great honor. I thank God for keeping me healthy and allowing me to continue to work for more than 50 years. We have the best profession, which I am proud of, and which has done a good job for the health of the people of America.”

Image of William Stenberg, 50-year Pharmacist

Fred Startz
License Issued 1958

“This is a real honor.  This is very exciting and I would like to thank everyone.”

Image of William Stenberg, 50-year Pharmacist

W. Alvin Thunquest
License Issued 1958

“I would like to thank the board for this opportunity to be here today. 55 years ago Loma Linda offered me a scholarship due to the shortage of pharmacists back then. Although we may still have one, it seems that we are addressing the issue with the new schools of pharmacy coming in.” 

Image of William Stenberg, 50-year Pharmacist

Lee Eugene Ward
License Issued 1958

“I really enjoyed being a pharmacist for 50 years. I have a small pharmacy. I spent a year and a half as a pharmacist and was told I should be a owner. I bought a store for $20,000 and sold it for $500,000. It’s still going strong, filling about 300-400 scripts a day.  I received a lot of honors, including receiving the key to the city, being awarded citizen of the year, and being grand marshall in a parade. I really had a ball being a pharmacist.” 

50-Year Pharmacists Honored at the Board Meeting on March 25, 2008
Image of Mel Baron

Barry Solomon
License Issued 1958

"I thank you and hope to be here for the 100th year."

50-Year Pharmacists Honored at the Board Meeting on January 23, 2008
Image of Mel Baron

Joseph Aboaf
License Issued 1958

Mr. Aboaf is 73 and feels active and healthy, and said he will never retire until he has to. He worked in 47 different Costco locations over a period of 13 years.

50-Year Pharmacists Honored at the Board Meeting on October 24, 2007
Image of Richard Fox, 50-year Pharmacist

Arthur Davis
License Issued 1953

Mr. Davis thanked the Board for its recognition of his work. He has worked for Thrifty Drugs for 35 years and is a member of both CPhA and ACPhA.

Image of Richard Rogers, 50-year Pharmacist

John Kurilich
License Issued 1952

Mr. Kurilich has owned an idepended pharmacy and served as pharmacist in other independed and chain pharmacies. He thanked the Board for this recognition and mentioned that he was honored to attend and able to see what the Board accomplishes during its meetings.

Image of William Stenberg, 50-year Pharmacist

Milt Levinson
License Issued 1957

Mr. Levinson was honored at the meeting by the reading of a personal letter written for the occasion by former Pharmacy Board president, Robert Elsner. Mr. Elsner wrote, in part, that Mr. Levinson epitomized the ideals of professionalism for pharmacies and pharmacists and that he considered Mr. Levinson an asset not only to the profession of pharmacy but also to the community.

50-Year Pharmacists Honored at the Board Meeting on July 24, 2007
Image of Richard Fox, 50-year Pharmacist

Milton Bardovi
License Issued 1950

Mr. Bardovi was employed for 31 years at Sav-On Drugs and four years at Whelan Drug Co. and remarked that those 50 years as a pharmacist went by very fast. Mr. Bardovi recommended to the audience to just have integrity and do a good job.

Image of Richard Rogers, 50-year Pharmacist

Eugene Elkin
License Issued 1955

Mr. Elkin has been active in CPhA throughout his career and was elected past president in 1980 and "Pharmacist of the Year" by that association. Mr Elkin operated Kustner's Pharmacy for almost 40 years and worked the last 10 years in long-term care.

Image of William Stenberg, 50-year Pharmacist

Joseph Hirt
License Issued 1957

Mr. Hirt worked as a research pharmacist at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where he developed non-commercial items such as nitroglycerin IV and hyperalimentaion nutritional products. Mr. Hirt commented that the thing he was most proud of during his years as a pharmacist was the positive impact of his influence on fellow employees to change their lives regarding alcohol, drug and tobacco addiction.

Image of William Stenberg, 50-year Pharmacist

James Hoppe
License Issued 1952

Mr. Hoppe began his practice with Malloy Prescription Pharmacy and is presently employed at Gemmel Pharmacy of Ontario, where he has been since 1957. Mr. Hoppe noted, "It's been a wonderful 55 years!"

Image of William Stenberg, 50-year Pharmacist

Ronald Marantz
License Issued 1957

Dr. Marantz remembered graduating from college and beginning his career when a woman came into the store and said, " A punk like you? A doctor?" He always rememberd that, and learned to have a lot of patience with the public. Dr. Marantz has been married for 50 years, has two sons, and is still saving lives!

Image of William Stenberg, 50-year Pharmacist

Emil Marcarian
License Issued 1957

Dr. Marcarian served as manager and director of hospital pharmacies, infusion companies, and in the retail environment. He described it all as a "great experience."

50-Year Pharmacists Honored at the Board Meeting on January 31, 2007
Image of Mel Baron

Melvin F. Baron
License Issued 1957

"To my family, colleagues, students and patients, thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity to practice this wonderful profession of pharmacy."

50-Year Pharmacists Honored at the Board Meeting on October 25, 2006
Image of Richard Fox, 50-year Pharmacist

Richard Fox
License Issued 1956

"I have watched lots of changes over the years, both good and bad."

Image of Richard Rogers, 50-year Pharmacist

Richard Rogers
License Issued 1956

"It has been a fast 50 years. I hope and wish the students here have as good a 50 years as I did."

Image of William Stenberg, 50-year Pharmacist

William Stenberg
License Issued 1956

"It has been a privilege and a pleasure. I appreciate this recognition."

50-Year Pharmacists Honored at the Board Meeting on July 27, 2006
Image of Kenneth Costello, 50-year Pharmacist
Kenneth Costello
License Issued 1955
Image of William Gellen, 50-year Pharmacist
William Gellen
License Issued 1956
Image of Anthony Petrulakis, 50-year Pharmacist
Anthony Petrulakis
License Issued 1955
Image of Richard Wayland, 50-year Pharmacist

Richard K. Wayland
License Issued 1956