Eitan Moshe Fenson
Sept. 3, 1953-June 30, 2019
Los Altos, CA

Eitan Moshe Fenson passed away on June 30, 2019, at age 65 from complications of thyroid cancer. A Silicon Valley technologist-turned-community-activist, Eitan was known throughout the South Bay as a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and social justice.

Eitan was born in Israel to an American mother and Canadian father, and moved to New York City at the age of four. He grew up in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, where he became a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees. He received his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, and his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Michigan, where he met his wife of 38 years, Barbara Weinstein. After a stint at Bell Labs in New Jersey, Eitan was recruited to work in Silicon Valley, and moved to California in 1986. He and Barbara raised their three children in Los Altos while building thriving careers in the tech sector.

In the early 2000s, Eitan made the decision to step back from corporate life. He continued to engage in independent tech research while turning much of his focus to political activism, and especially efforts to protect marginalized communities. As head of the Santa Clara County Democratic Volunteer Center, he led thousands of volunteers in some of the most prolific get-out-the-vote efforts in the country. As a member of the international board of Amigos de las Americas, he sought to empower young people and promote multicultural exchange between the US and Latin America. As president of Fools Mission, he worked to cultivate friendships and build support for the Latino immigrant community in the Bay Area. He also served on the boards of directors of Los Altos Robotics, Move to Amend, Indivisible South Bay, and the Peninsula Democratic Coalition.

Eitan is survived by his wife, Barbara Weinstein; his three children. Zoe Fenson, Dana Fenson, and Derek Fenson; and his sister, Pnina Levermore. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 3, 3pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, 505 E Charleston, Palo Alto.

Tags: teacher/educator, business, public service