In Memory

Adra Grace Merrill (Kober) - Class Of 1941

Adra Grace Merrill (Kober)

Adra Merrill Kober  '41

With much love and laughter we remember a remarkable woman whose heart knew no bounds.  Adra Merrill Kober died May 11, 2009 in Long Beach, California.  Adra was born in Los Angeles and raised in San Marino, graduating from South Pasadena High School in 1941.  In what became a fortunate twist of fate, the college men Adra was dating in high school weren't allowed to attend the senior prom, so she went with a "friend of a friend," Charles (Chuck) Kober.

Adra and Chuck both went on to Stanford in the fall of 1941, where Adra joined Chi Omega sorority and eventually became Nu Alpha Chapter President.  She earned a degree in economics in 1945 and briefly taught school in the San Gabriel Valley.  Meanwhile, Chuck completed a Naval Officer Training Program, and obtained his Stanford degree a year behind Adra.  In June 1948 Adra and Chuck were married in Pasadena.  The wedding was held on a Wednesday night so they could both sail on the weekend.  Sailing was common ground, and the newlyweds agreed they wanted to live by the water.  Chuck favored Balboa where his family spent summers.  Adra favored Alamitos Bay, where her family spent summers.  They drew circles on a map and realized Chuck's commute would be better from Long Beach.  They settled in Naples, and never left.

Adra was always active in her community and had an uncanny knack for becoming president of nearly every organization she joined.  She always said President was the easiest position because you could delegate all the hard work.  But of course Adra worked as hard or harder, than anyone else.  She was PTA President of the Naples Elementary and Will Rogers Junior High schools in Long Beach, and President of the Long Beach Meals on Wheels, the Naples Islands Garden Club, and P.E.O. Chapter DU.  She was Protocol Chairman of the Sailing Venue for the 1984 Olympics.  She served on the Board of Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, and was elected Commodore in 1982 - the first woman to hold that position.  She has also been President of the Long Beach Alumnae of Chi Omega. 

Together, Adra and Chuck travelled extensively throughout the world, most often on trips related to sailing.  They kept their boat Shibui on the East Coast, and twice a year visited to cruise the eastern waterways and harbors, often accompanied by family or friends.  Whether on their boat or at home, the welcome mat was always out.  Adra opened her heart and house to friends and strangers alike.  She and Chuck hosted dozens of visiting sailors and yachting judges over the years, a tradition Adra maintained even after Chuck's death.  She also threw an impromptu wedding for complete strangers when their "outdoor ceremony" at an adjacent park was threatened by rain.  Bride, groom and 100 guests marched right into Adra's living room.  Adra loved giving parties.  Her creativity was limitless, and so were her closets filled with decorations, flags, and even costumes, for every holiday and possible event.  And in true Adra spirit, she left detailed instructions for one more gathering.  A celebration of her life will be held in June at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club.  We'll do it her way.

Adra is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Kober Peterson (Keith); son Charles (Booey) Kober (Norma); grandsons Kyle and Eric Peterson and Nicholas and Clayton Kober; her brothers Paul Merrill, Jr. (Elore) and Charles Merrill (Nancy); six nephews and their families.

Long Beach Press-Telegram, May 17, 2009