Ingall William Bull Jr.

1927 - 2017

Ingall William Bull Jr. obituary, 1927-2017, San Francisco, CA

BORN

1927

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Glendale Funeral Home

511 South Central Avenue

Glendale, California

Ingall Bull Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 30, 2017.

Our beloved father Ingall William Bull, Jr., who delighted that his birthday, July 27, 1927, was a palindrome, died December 28, 2017, at the age of 90.



His early childhood as a fifth-generation Angelino was spent on Van Ness Street in the Larchmont neighborhood of Los Angeles. His mother was born in the family home, the Sepulveda House, now a historical landmark on Olvera Street in the heart of Los Angeles. He adored his parents Lillian Jeffries Bull and Ingall William Bull, Sr, his sister Louise, and his extended neighborhood family. The children of the children he played with in childhood became the close friends of his own children. Tradition was important to him.



Ingall attended St John’s Military Academy, Loyola High School, Loyola University, and Stanford University and Law School.



In July of 1945, he enlisted in the United States Navy, was discharged in August of 1946 as Storekeeper Third Class, became an ensign in the US Naval Reserve in 1948, was in the active reserve unit at Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles, 1951 to 1957, when he retired as Lieutenant, JG.



At the age of 23, Ingall started a distinguished career as a trial attorney, which culminated in his becoming the head of the same firm in which he started in 1950. He was a founding member of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Board of Trial Attorneys, where he documented decades of life and events through his passion for photography.



For us kids, it was great fun visiting him in his office, surrounded by “evidence,” such as parachutes that allegedly didn’t open, and was a thrill to see him in action in court. It amazed us that little seemed to ruffle him when it came to the law. After six decades of service trying cases, Ingall retired from the law in 2010.



Ingall married two smart, beautiful women with whom he had four children. He worked tirelessly for family, friends, clients, and the underserved, as seen in the volume of pro bono work that he took on for those in need; his many pro bono legal activities such as in the Superior Court Judge Pro Tem program and as Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association; his decades-long ushering at Holy Family Church; and his flipping pancakes for the Kiwanis Club.



In the High Jinks, in which legal professionals lampoon each other in hilarious skits, Ingall played the amateur actor well. He was the life of any party; at parties, dozens of friends invariably approached us kids to confide that our father was the best person on earth, which we indeed already knew. Our fun-loving, gentle, good-natured, and forgiving father cared deeply for all living creatures.



A lover of history, especially the stories of his own family through the generations, he combed the archives in Bergen, Norway, and poured over the microfiche at the Mormon Family History Center in Tucson for information on his Norwegian and Mexican heritage, culminating in his visiting the church in Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico where his great, great, great, great, great grandparents were wed. Ingall loved to travel and explored many countries of the world.



After experiencing a mild stroke in the summer of 2015, he chose to live with his children until his death from pneumonia at the age of 90, surrounded by his children and their spouses. He was beloved by family, friends, and colleagues the entire 90 years. He had a blessed life.



Ingall is survived by his four children and their spouses, Richard and Karen Bull, Hannah-Leigh Bull, Mary Bull and Robert Krebsbach, and Ingall William Bull, III and Galen Gruman; grandson Kyle and granddaughter-in-law Candice Bull; and his first great grandchild, Clayton Bull, born in 2017 to Kyle and Candice.



Holy Family Church, at 1527 Fremont Ave in South Pasadena, will celebrate the Mass for him on Friday January 19, 2018, at 11:15 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Los Angeles Catholic Worker 632 N. Brittania St. Los Angeles, CA 90033

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February 11, 2018

Richard Weatherington

From Daddy's first year roommate at Stanford (493 Encino Hall), Dick Weatherington:

Dear Mary, My deepest sympathy on your loss. Your call brought many memories of one of my favorite peoplewe really were close! I want to thank you for your callit meant more to me than you can know...Again my deepest sympathy. Dick


Some of Dick's memories:

One of the most remarkable things about Ingall was his memory! He could memorize a book, word for word, page numbers and all! Then quote it or write it down during a test completely from memory... Damndest Mind I Ever Saw! Incredible ability to concentrate! Photographic memory!

Then one day when we were driving to San Francisco, I asked him a simple question about Agincourt, or some other well known event in history, and he said he didn't have the faintest idea; I was non-plussed... He just got an A in the test! He said, he erased everything immediately after the test was over to make room for the next one!

He was so generous. I was a simple farm boy from Lodhi on a work/study program, and he helped me through an awkward transitionthat first year at Stanford. He never made a point about money. Buying dinner was typical of Ingall...He had a brand new Mercury convertiblewould lend it whenever a friend askedjust toss him the keys... One of the nicest guys; modest; not flamboyant; not social; very shy...always twisting his hair while memorizing a textbook... That's the image that comes most to mind when I think of Ingall...

Easter of 1947 Fraser Watts and I spent the vacation with Ingall. We stayed two days with his great uncle, Jim Jeffries, the heavyweight champion of the world. IT WAS THE THRILL OF MY LIFE! Jim Jeffries wore a big white stetson...He was a powerful, powerful man: shoulders like an ox; 20-inch neck! Left-hander who fought like a right-hander; he had a knock-out punch! ...one ear was four inches longer than the other from being pummeled so much! ...By that time he was a little punch-drunk; had taken a terrible beating from Jack Johnson...We walked with him into his barn with the crowd shouting Jeff! Jeff! His barn was later moved from his ranch in the San Fernando Valley to Knotts Berry Farm...

At one point, Ingall told Jim that I was a member of the Stanford Boxing Team. Jim asked me if I could knock a man out with my fist at six inches from his face... I said, I couldn't even bloody his nose... He said, then you have no business in the ring! And he was right!

We spent a week with Ingall's father Judge Bull in Hollywood...He talked about the stock market crash... He had convinced people to invest in laundromats.. when the Depression hit, the laundromat venture got wiped out. Judge Bull spent over a million reimbursing all the investors out of his own pocket!

We were very close... a lot of football games! The 1942 Rose Bowl... Truly a remarkable human being! Thousands of times I have remembered Ingall!

January 23, 2018

Rebecca Madera

Today I learned of Mr. Bull's passing. I do believe, with all my heart, that there is a new angel in heaven. Mr. Bull was probably the sweetest, kindest, most generous and interesting man I have ever known. After I left the law office in Pasadena where we both worked, and he had semi-retired, he continued to telephone me and send greeting cards. We had such interesting and fun conversations, and a lot of laughs. We talked about a lot of things--family, his youth, my childhood, and our common interest, genealogy. He shared his genealogical findings with me, and I with him. He was so proud of his family and family history.

I loved to hear and watch Mr. Bull recite "Invictus" by William Henry Henley. Such passion, particularly as he recited the last two lines, "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul," with a dramatic flair. It was mesmerizing, a sight to behold.

I am so glad, so glad, to have known Mr. Bull. He was indeed one of a kind. My condolences to his beloved children. Rest in peace, Mr. Bull, you sweet and gentle man.

January 21, 2018

Coworker

Maria Quezada Hernandez

This is Maria Dear. That is what Ingall called me during the ten years that I was his secretary at Shield & Smith, from 1975 to 1985. I was fortunate to have worked with Ingall. We worked on some big cases, including Wayte v. Rollins International, Inc. Ingall was more than a boss. He was like a father to me. He cared about everyone. He was compassionate, kind, generous, hard-working, brilliant, and an amazing photographer. At every firm event, Ingall took pictures. Then, he made extra copies of the pictures, and we distributed them.

Those were the good old days. I typed on a typewriter and used carbon paper to make copies. I took shorthand every single day. Ingall would say, Maria Dear, can you please take a letter? Then, Maria Dear, can you please read it back? I brought him his coffee every morning. When his back was out, I tied his shoes. This is the way it was then. I loved Ingall and still do. After I left the firm, he continued to remember me on my birthday and Christmas all these years.

I am forever grateful for knowing Ingall and his family. Ingall, we love you!

January 19, 2018

Donna Greenwood

Simply stated, Ingall was the nicest person I ever met. I met him in Lake Arrowhead and watched the moon landing with his family at his cabin. He was a sentimental person and had the amazing gift of empathy. He loved life and the people in it. At my daughter Suanna's wedding he told me I was the epitome of class, and coming from him, that was the highest compliment I ever received. In my opinion, he was the epitome of the best of humanity. He was a wonderful, loving and caring man and so many people's lives were enhanced by knowing him. I will always remember him singing to the music of Jim Reeves with tears in his eyes and in the words of a Jim Reeves song, I would like to say,

"I love you most of all because you're you."

January 19, 2018

FX Feeney

Once back in L.A., getting to know Ingall in later life, at greater depth courtesy of Mary and Bob, and in the company of my great friend Irene the warm impression I'd formed of him in college only deepened, and bloomed.
He was fantastically observant. Sit with him at a crowded table and he would look at you deeply, as you spoke; nod; but say nothing. He might smile or not. You might think to yourself: Am I boring him? But no as if telepathic, he'd answer with a quick, interested question about precisely what you had just said. And yet, that distant look would again steal into his eye as you spoke to his question. Once you finished, he'd raise a listening finger and steer you to somebody else's conversation, unfolding at volume, two tables away. That lady, way over there, is crying, he'd say. Have you any idea what she's crying about?
He was interested in everybody and everything, at any given moment. Small wonder he was not only perpetually busy, but beloved as a lawyer. If you were in his care, he cared, and wouldn't miss a stitch of nuance, if it could well serve, on your behalf.
Very late in life, as his guest at the fabled Jonathan Club where Ingall ascended, quite justly, to the rank of Member Number One I remember one night his eye was caught by a flash of light on a neighboring building and he spoke of sniper's nests. This was confusing to all of us, at first. Yet Ingall was mysterious in his certainty. Because I'd recently read James Ellroy's novel Perfidia, in which the Jonathan Club figures in reference to the shady politics of Los Angeles at the time of Pearl Harbor, I chanced a question about those times, realizing that Ingall would have just turned 14, in 1941 and wasn't far off. He was thinking of his youthful experiences as a Navy-man.
Inside himself, Ingall carried complex mazes of history and his own fierce appetite to be part of it, and as age deepened, navigated those private spaces with dreamy freedom and yet with a tremendous precision in relation to detail. You were welcome to join him if you could and one of my happiest memories of knowing and loving Mary all these years was the tender fidelity with which she would listen, and draw him out about whatever his great and generous mind might be laying out for him at any given moment.
Such a gentle monarch of his own time on earth cannot be dead. He is still with us: Ever sweet, unforgettable.

January 19, 2018

FX Feeney

INGALL, IMMORTAL
In 2000, visiting Sweden for the first time, I encountered the names Ingall and Bull juxtaposed by chance in pair of store windows on a street in Goteborg. It was the dead of winter and day was breaking at ten in the morning, but the magical sight of this name, of all names Mary's Daddy! Five thousand miles from Pasadena! pierced the distance and warmed me right up, lit me up with a smile.
Thinking of Ingall always has this effect and not just on me.
I'd first met him through Mary when we were at Cal Arts, in the mid 1970s. She was walking with her younger brother Billy (Ingall William III!), then a shy small fellow in braces and a baseball cap escorting him to the campus lot to where their Dad was to arrive and pick him up.
Mary and I had swapped tales of our childhoods over the many energetic talks of our early friendship, and I knew well that the sundered marriage of her, and Hanna-Leigh's judicious Dad and passionate Mama had been a case of opposites attracting and colliding!
I was very curious to have a look at her Dad. I remember liking him as he parked along the curb and as he saw that Mary and Billy had a friend in tow genially stepped from behind the wheel to shake my hand. He was still youthful and blonde; dapper, at home in a suit and tie; of compact height, large head; an easygoing step, and a great grip.
He was both sparkly and severe. A wonderful smile and glittery, assessing eyes: these he bequeathed freely to both his daughters. Because I was in Sweden for a film festival in 2000, it struck me vividly that Ingall, Mary and Hanna-Leigh all had these graces in common with filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, whom I'd seen at age 82 in a new documentary, the night before running into the names Ingall and Bull in the street. (As I recall they were divided between two shop-owners, an Ingall Bergstrom, say, and a Per-Axel Bull.) Their discovery in this context thus felt all the more madly, sweetly Cosmic.

January 19, 2018

Juliette Zaiser

What words can express the loss I feel for someone who has always been a part of my life? Mind pictures of his cabin at Lake Arrowhead, Coronado with "cousins," his eternal photographs of family events, my first "raspberries in cream" at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite, camping, Mom's stories of travels to Hawaii, swimming in the pool featured in the movie "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," growing up with my dearest Hannah-Leigh and Mary who tolerated performing "Monsieur Mudpie" ad nauseam, New Year's eve dancing in Palm Springs, 90th celebration with Member #1 at the Jonathan Club...a piece of my heart is gone as I write these words in Cairo, Egypt. But neither distance nor time can take away these treasured memories of my Uncle Ingall.

January 19, 2018

Juliette Zaiser

Posted by Juliette Zaiser

January 19, 2018

Juliette Zaiser

Posted by Juliette Zaiser

January 19, 2018

Juliette Zaiser

Posted by Juliette Zaiser

January 19, 2018

Juliette Zaiser

Posted by Juliette Zaiser

January 18, 2018

Tanya Wendling

I usually saw Ingall at large gatherings, where he stood out mainly by his reserved and mild manner in contrast to the animated & adamant crowd. When his turn to recite a poem came up, however, he took the opportunity to transform himself in cadence with the poem, slowly stiffening his spine, raising his eyes to meet his invisible foe, and cresting with a loud & strong baritone: I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. For anyone who might have dismissed this poem as bombast, it was a comeuppance.

January 17, 2018

Dave Kuncicky

I didn't know Hannah's father well but remember having delightful conversations with him on the Santa Fe Plaza as well as at her gatherings in Medanales. I feel sorrow for Hannah and her family.

January 16, 2018

Nancy Wallis

Ingal was my brother's Les Pithey lifelong friend. They were neighbor's as kids and attended the same school. I use to pal around with them. After my brother passed away, Ingal took great care of my sister in law, Rita Pithey. As adults we had many opportunities to spend enjoyable time together. I and my daughters Marilyn and Carolyn will miss those visits. We will miss Ingal.

January 16, 2018

Jeff Bonelli

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of a wonderful man. I know my father, the late John G. Bonelli, now has a friend in a very high place. My mother Marilyn Bonelli sends her condolences as well. There will never be another like him.

January 16, 2018

Jeff Bonelli

January 16, 2018

Mathews Family

Sincerest condolences for your loss. May precious memories of your dear loved one, along with encouraging words such as those found at Hosea 13:14, be of comfort to your family in this difficult time.

January 16, 2018

Mary Bull

Dear Michael and all the surviving Erlangers!

The Bulls loved the Erlangers!

Who couldn't?! Dottie, Claude, Steve, David, and Michael... So vivacious, fun, funny, warm, and welcoming! What a family!

When there was talk of Steve and Hannah marrying, our father was walking on air... Nothing would make me happier!

Sweet times...

January 15, 2018

Marcia Murphy

Some of the best times of my life were spent with my cousins and my dearest, beloved Uncle Ingall. I will always remember the tremendous love my mother and her brother shared for each other. In the sixty plus years of my life, he never forgot my birthday. I was so lucky to spend his 90th with him and the extended family.
He will be truly missed. His loving niece,

January 15, 2018

Bob Pieters

I hadgreat memories of Mr. Bull. When I was in college with his son Rick I remembered him rescuing me from a close call with the South Pasadena police department. He was always very very professional and a great father to his children. We will miss him dearly he did certainly leave a legacy.

January 15, 2018

Green Family

My family sends our sincere condolences on your loss. May happy memories of your loved one and the words at Isaiah 57:15 bring you much comfort as it does me.

January 15, 2018

Jim Craven

I only met Ingall a couple of times, but he gave me the clear impression of being a positive and intelligent man; someone I would enjoy being around. My condolences to his family and friends.

January 15, 2018

Anne

A dear man. Was a pleasure to know & care for him.

January 15, 2018

Mary Bull

Dear, dear Carl, Well, that was very nicethank you for taking the time...


As I recall at one of our breakfasts at Musso Frank's, my father was full of his rambling, convoluted stories, going in odd directions, until finally landing back at home, answering perfectly the comment or question you had posed in the first place... I was mildly anxious that he might have bored you. But afterwards, entre-nous, you were absolutely raving delightedly, Your father!!! He is SO great!! Priceless, wonderful...! ...which, in turn, made me very proud and far more receptive to his serpentine storytelling myself!

Thank you, Dear Friend of the past 48 years...

January 15, 2018

We loved spending time with this guy. You will be sadly missed in our home.
The Nance Family

January 14, 2018

Carl Stone

What a dapper Angeleno he was. I only could meet him a couple of times, but our last meeting was truly memorable, a classic gentleman at the classic LA setting, the eatery Musso and Franks.He was totally in his element.

January 14, 2018

Michael Erlanger

I have such great memories of your father from my Arrowhead days. I remember him being so friendly to all ages around him. As a "youngster" I found that to be so inviting. How was it this older man would to be interested in this little schmendrick? The funny thing was, at the time he was probably younger than I am now. I remember him taking an interest in and being curious about everyone around him. A truly kind man. I didn't know him outside the "Arrowhead" world but he made a lasting impression on me those three months a year. I am sending you and your family big hugs this morning and hoping that you embrace all of the good memories of your dear father.

Love from all of us.

Michael, Wendy, Gabrielle and Jake.
The Erlanger Family

January 14, 2018

My special friend, I will miss you. All the photo memories you took and shared with me about ABOTA are some of my own fondest memories. They have you to thank for chronicling a 50 year history.
To your family my condolences, I am out of state with family and will miss the services but the memories of this special man, and his stories, will last a lifetime, along with his kindness. The Mauna Kea smiles at his memory, as do I.

Shirley Schwartz
ABOTA
Executive Director, RET

January 13, 2018

Wonderful tributes!

January 13, 2018

Darling, Papa! I miss you so!

January 13, 2018

Joe Hilberman

I was fortunate to start my legal career at Shield & Smith in Los Angeles. Ingall was a great role model of civility and fairness, as well as showing an amazing capacity for letting the travails of trial roll off his back.His volumes of photos of every event memorialized so many wonderful moments, and his unassuming manner was a model of modesty. He was a lovely man. May his memory be a blessing.

January 12, 2018

Robert Stone

I first met Ingall as a fellow lawyer in the mid 50's and found him always to be a sincere and friendly person. We occasionally were on opposite sides of cases or would socialize due to our mutual involvement in ABOTA. He was a dear person and a kind human being. I will always have fond memories of him. He will be surely missed by all of us. May he rest in peace.

January 12, 2018

Steve Perren

I met Ingall when I was a somewhat newly minted trial lawyer. My memory, though fraught with passage of time, is of a kind man who treated me well. He was an able and patient teacher. His lessons have served this trial and appellate jurist of 35 years well. My condolences for your loss.

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1527 Fremont Ave, South Pasadena, CA

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