HERBERT "HERB" GERFEN
1930 - 2026
Herb Gerfen, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, engineer, pilot, and pillar of the Santa Maria Valley community, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026, in Santa Maria, California, surrounded by his family. He was 96 years old.
Herb was born on February 17, 1930, in Glendale, California, to John and Frieda Gerfen. In 1950, he answered his country's call by serving in the United States Navy, earning an honorable discharge in 1955. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in June 1962, before beginning a career and a life in Santa Maria that would span more than six decades.
In Santa Maria, Herb built a career marked by dedication to public service. He served as Assistant Director of Public Works – Engineering for the City of Santa Maria, then as District Engineer for Santa Maria Public Airport. In 1979, he founded Skyway Engineering, which he led as President until his retirement in 2005.
His contributions extended well beyond his office: He was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, and served as President of the Central Coast Chapter of the American Public Works Association, President of the Santa Maria Valley Economic Development Association, Co-Chairman of the Joint Water Committee, and as a long-term member of the Santa Maria Airport Board of Directors and Santa Maria Museum of Flight. He also proudly served as a long-time advisor to the Cal Poly Engineering department.
Herb's personal life was equally full. He married JoAnn Kriese in 1959, and together they welcomed their son Craig. He later found the love of his life in Sonja, a fellow pilot who shared his passion for flight and adventure. They were happily married for nearly 41 years, from 1984 until Sonja's passing in 2025.
An avid pilot, Herb could often be found in the skies above the Central Coast. On the ground — or on the water — he brought the same enthusiasm to skiing, fishing, camping, golf, and photography. He was a man who loved being outdoors, loved his community, and loved his family above all.
Herb is survived by his brother Arnie, son Craig and his wife Lindsay; stepdaughter Erin Bunnell (Steve); stepson Corey Moore (Tanya); seven grandchildren, Olivia (Wesley), Kaylee (Jon), Josh (Holly), Sophie, Ozzy, Herbie, and Phoebe; five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sonja, sisters Esther, Irene, and Wilma, and brother Walt.
Herb Gerfen gave 96 years of genuine living — to his country, his profession, his community, and his family. He will be deeply missed and long remembered.
Graveside service will be held at Santa Maria Public Cemetery on Thursday, May 14th at 1:00pm followed by a celebration of life at the Santa Maria Museum of Flight.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Santa Maria Museum of Flight or the Cal Poly Graduate APWA Herbert E. Gerfen scholarship for Civil and Environmental Engineering.
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