Gary Andersen
Gary Andersen
The Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen has recently lost a very-well liked member of the club. Gary died on Friday, November 16th, just four days before his 71st birthday. His memorial service was Tuesday, November 20, 2007, at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz.
Gary was as active a fly fisher as his health would allow, and he came to most of the club meetings, sitting up front, participating in the question and answer periods following the guest speakers' presentations.
He was born in Oakland, grew up in Lompico and Felton, and graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1954. Not long after his graduation, he married his childhood sweetheart, Patricia, and they had four sons. He worked as a baker at the Felton Bakery, and as a building contractor. He built many houses in Santa Cruz county, took part in the building of the gymnasium at Cabrillo College, and the snack bar and dugouts at the San Lorenzo Valley Little League, where he coached his boys for many years.
He enjoyed woodworking, golf, hot rod exhibitions, and fly fishing. He belonged to the Santa Cruz Rock and Mineral Society, the San Lorenzo Valley Rod Jockeys Car Club, and the Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen.
Those of us who were lucky enough to know Gary appreciated his positive outlook, his humor, and his gentlemanly demeanor. He was always quick with a complement, appreciative of any help with his fly tying and fly fishing, and didn't let his limitations hinder his enjoyment of the sport. We will all be diminished by his absence.