CLPCCD Trustee Marshall Mitzman dies from COVID-19

Marshall Mitzman, who represented Area 1 on the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District Board of Trustees for more than a decade, died from novel coronavirus on Tuesday night. He was 73 years old.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague. We will remember and honor Marshall for his leadership and service to our district, our students and our community,” said Board President Ed Maduli in a statement.

Mitzman was reported to be a patient at Gateway Care and Rehabilitation in Hayward, considered the epicenter of Alameda County’s largest COVID-19 outbreak and where more than 60 residents and staff have contracted the virus, including 12 patients that have died at the facility over the past two weeks. Mitzman had been afflicted with a brain tumor since the beginning of the year.

In 2008, Mitzman was elected to the Board of Trustees to represent Area 1, which includes the city of Hayward, and later served one term as Board President. In a Facebook post, Hayward City Councilmember Mark Salinas called Mitzman, “A steady leader, a thoughtful policy maker, and he always puts students front and center of his work.”

“Dr. Mitzman talked the talk and walked the walk when it came to equity,” Salinas said. “Chabot College African American students and Latinx students directly benefited from his work and philanthropy. Rest easy, Marshall, and thank you for everything you did for Chabot College students and the city of Hayward.”

Mitzman is the second CLPCCD Trustee to die over the last year; Dobie Gelles died in May 2019, and was later replaced by Maria Heredia. Earlier last year, another long-time trustee, Carlo Vecchiarreli, retired due to health reasons. Tim Sbranti was later appointed to replace Vecchiarreli.

An active member in the Hayward business and non-profit community, Mitzman worked in business and sales for companies like Bank of American, Nestle, Avis Rent-A-Car and Memorex Corporation, and owned and operated his own business. He was also an adjunct professor for a number of local community colleges as well as UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, and held a lifetime California Community College teaching credential. He also served on such boards as the Alameda County School Board Association, Alameda County Salvation Army, Hayward Education Foundation, Friends of Chabot College Foundation, and Hayward Chamber of Commerce.

“Marshall’s commitment to higher education spanned more than his role as a trustee,” said CLPCCD Interim Chancellor Ronald Gerhard. “His passion for teaching and helping students achieve their goals came through in everything he did and every decision he made.”

Mitzman attended San Jose State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree, then earned his masters and doctoral degrees from Judge College, Cambridge University in Cambridge, England. He was also “very proud” to have attended Foothill and De Anza community colleges, where he earned his associate of arts degrees.

Mitzman is survived by his wife of more than 26 years, Felie Ulep, and their two children and seven grandchildren.

The Board of Trustees will discuss the next steps related to filling Mitzman’s vacant seat at their regularly scheduled meeting on April 21. More information will be announced in the coming weeks.

Julia Baum is a staff writer for the Pleasanton Weekly. Reach her at jbaum@pleasantonweekly.com or 925-600-0840, ext. 111.

Julia Baum is a staff writer for the Pleasanton Weekly. Reach her at jbaum@pleasantonweekly.com or 925-600-0840, ext. 111.