Thomas Tavernetti

Thomas Tavernetti was the son of Swiss immigarnts who co-founded the University of California at Davis.

Early Life and Family History

The last name "Tavernetti" is an Italian last name that points to the profession of an Innkeeper or Tavern owner. Thomas Tavernetti was born on December 23, 1889 in Gonzales, California. His parents were Swiss immigrants from Moghegno, Switzerland. His father was Paul Tavernetti, the son af a California Gold Rush 'Forty-niner'. Paul was born in Moghegno in 1854 and immigrated to the U.S. in the 1880's. His wife, Giagonda Rianda, came to the U.S. AbOUT a year later. Thomas was the second of twelve children, two of which died during birth. When he was young, Tom worked on the family farm in Salinas, California. Hunter Lane, as it was called, was also where the family home was. There was also a large ranch on Natividad Road which raised cattle. After schooling in Salinas Thomas attended school at the University of California at Berkeley.

Profession

Thomas finished schooling at UC Berkeley in 1913, majoring in agriculture. After graduating, Thomas began working at the UC agriculture center in Davis, California. In Davis, Thomas assisted in the the foundation of the school. He served as Assistant Dean of Agriculture from 1922-1934. In 1934, though, he died of pneumonia on his 45th birthday.

Rememberance: The Tavernetti Bell

Thomas Tavernetti has a bell hung in the front of Aggie Stadium in Davis. On football game days, the bell is rung in his honor. The bell, referred to as the Tavernetti Bell, was hung in his honor by UC Davis Alumni. The bell came from the Spreckles grade school that Tavernetti attended for his schooling. After its abandonment the school's bell was taken to Davis were it is still used today. Thomas' son, Thomas Jr., was a World War II pilot who received many awards while serving his country. He shot down four enemy planes and was awarded the Flying Cross for his efforts.

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References

Burton Anderson

UC Davis Magazine