John Whitcombe, 80; Oil Shale Pioneer

John Alfred Whitcombe, an oil shale pioneer and a Theatre Palisades supporter, died February 15. He was 80 years old. John was born May 5, 1927 in Moscow, Idaho, and grew up in Dearborn, Michigan. He joined the Navy in 1944 during World War II. He later completed his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering at the University of Michigan. After he graduated from college, John took a position with Shell Oil Company in Pasadena. He met Julia Beebe, a high school teacher, and married her in 1954. They lived in many different states before settling in Pacific Palisades in 1972. Their children, Nancy and David, both graduated from Palisades High School. John served as executive vice president of Tosco Corporation and served on the oil company’s board of directors. He designed much of the company’s process for extracting oil from shale in Grand Valley, Colorado. This activity led him to become a consultant for governments and businesses in Germany, France, Morocco, South Africa, Australia and Canada. He retired in the early 1980s but continued to consult for the company. In the Palisades, John was a member of the American Legion. He supported Theatre Palisades, where his wife Julia won several Best Actress awards for her performances. John helped to build sets and served on the theater’s board. He also oversaw the construction of the Pierson Playhouse on Haverford, which opened 20 years ago. ‘He was a real honest and decent man, and we can thank him for the theater,’ said Eva Holberg, who led the fundraising campaign to build the theater. John and his wife owned a second home in Rifle, Colorado, for many years. In retirement, they spent their summers in Colorado and winters at their condo in the Palisades. John was a man of extraordinary kindness, generosity and humor. He is survived by his wife, Julia; two children; and two grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on February 23 at Gates Kingsley and Gates Funeral Home, 1925 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica. Donations in John’s memory may be made to one of his favorite charities: Lift-Up, 800 Railroad Ave., Rifle, CO 81650.