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1949
2013
PACIFIC GROVE – Darby William Fuerst died at the age of 63, Monday morning, on December 9, 2013, ending his struggle with cancer.
Darby was born in San Francisco on December 12, 1949, the fifth of six children, followed closely by his twin brother, Rory. Darby graduated from Serra High School in 1968 and continued an extensive academic path through Occidental College, Cañada College, the Universities of Washington and Arizona, collecting degrees along the way in English, Geology and Hydrology. Between studies, he joined the Peace Corps, serving two years in Ethiopia, where he met his fellow volunteer and future wife of 34 years, Andrea Helgerson Fuerst.
Darby and Andrea traveled and moved often, ultimately choosing to make their home and raise their four children, Delia McCraley, Anna Padilla, George Fuerst and Collin Fuerst in Pacific Grove, California. Darby found great pride in celebrating the successful educations and careers of his children, great joy in welcoming sons-in–law, Tim McCraley and Steven Padilla to the family, and great happiness in the arrival of grandchildren Thomas Darby McCraley, Sean Eoghan McCraley and twins Linnea Jean Padilla and Cody Robert Padilla.
Darby had a long and celebrated career at the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District for over 25 years, beginning as a
Hydrologist and retiring in 2011 as the General Manager. He was respected for his dedication to the importance of accurate historic
records, thorough data collection, and community education in all issues related to water resources studies and planning on the Monterey Peninsula.
Darby was an active leader in local youth programs as a coach, a Boy Scout leader and supportive parent volunteer. His excellent
memory, love of reading, sense of humor and enthusiastic story-telling made him a sought after companion on hikes, bike rides, road trips and any other adventure or occasion.
Darby is preceded in death by his parents, George William and Mary Ellen Fuerst of Atherton, and his sister Penny Fuerst. He is survived by his siblings and their families, Peadar and Sue Fuerst, Ginger and Patrick Connolly, Jill Fuerst, and Rory and Lisa Fuerst. He loved his extended family of 19 nieces and nephews and 21 grand nieces and nephews, treasuring the opportunities to entertain the children with adventures, jokes, tricks and stories.
Please join us in celebrating the memory of Darby's life. A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Angela's Church on Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove, 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2013. From 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Asilomar Conference Center in The Chapel we will gather to tell stories, share photos, and raise our glasses with Darby's favorite toast, "Here's to us, good people are scarce".
If desired, memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula. Please visit the memorial web site at www.ThePaulMortuary.com to offer condolences.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Thinking of you on your 65th birthday.
Zofia
December 12, 2014
Good bye Darby. God bless you and your family.
Marc Lucca
January 3, 2014
Our deepest condolences from your IES classmates from Vienna, Austria 1970-1971. We have such great memories of our time together. Darby is always talked about at our reunions and it will continue to be so. He will not be forgotten.
Gene Gilluly
January 2, 2014
Goodbye, Darby. You'll live on in my thoughts.
Zofia
December 27, 2013
I just purchased a new illustrated dictionary for 2014. Under the word "class", it states: "a group of students taught together", and then it has a picture of a school classroom as an illustration. It also defines "class" as an adjective, as in elegant, classy, he has class; and then it has a picture of Darby as an illustration.
With deepest regrets,
Steve Matarazzo
City Administrator
City of Sand City
December 20, 2013
Andrea,
i wish i knew earlier, for i am an end of life companion. Darby and your family are already in my meditation. i send you so much of God's love.
helen miao
December 20, 2013
My deepest condolences.
Dean Flippo
December 18, 2013
Andrea and Family-
I was so sad to hear of Darby's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. Darby will be missed by many but was loved by more!!!
Sherry Forsgren
December 18, 2013
Our family joins in our regret to learn of Darby's passing. We are thinking of your family at this difficult time. Please accept our warm wishes and prayers.
Read Worth et al
Read Worth
December 18, 2013
Dear Andrea and family,
We are so sorry to learn of Darby's passing. I remember having you as neighbors. Our prayers and Condolences are with you and your family.
Cathy and Giovanni Montante, Monterey,CA
Cathy Montante
December 16, 2013
Jackie and I are thinking of you. I appreciate your help and presence at Meals on Wheels. It sounds like Darby was quite a man and you two a great couple.
Pete and Jackie Henning
December 16, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Jeff Fisher
December 16, 2013
We are sorry to learn of the passing of Darby, but grateful for his service to our nation as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia.
Our Condolences,
The National Peace Corps Association
December 16, 2013
Dear Andrea and Family, I wanted you to know how sorry I am to hear of your loss. Darby was a consummate professional whose level-headed approach and professionalism was an inspiration for me when I was General Manager at MPWMD. The region has lost a wonderful person, but we know that his thoughtfulness, inspiration and resourcefulness will live on in your wonderful family and at the MPWMD.
Ernie Avila
December 15, 2013
Special Souls like Darby leave footprints on your heart. My deepest sympathy to all his loved ones.
Laurel Johnston
December 15, 2013
MY PRAYERS FOR YOUR WIFE AND BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. I JUST LEARNED OF YOUR DEATH TONIGHT. MANY HAPPY MEMORIES FROM THE TIME YOU WERE N EIGHTH GRADE IN MENLO PARK. MAY YOU HAVE A PEACEFUL WELCOME AS YOU MEET GOD FACE TO FACE.
FR. KEVIN GAFFEY
FR. KEVIN GAFFEY
December 14, 2013
Andrea and Family...I just heard the news of my old friend from grade school and high school leaving us. Although we have never met formally, I feel I know you as Darby provided a special thread that could link people together forever. As we will all miss Darby physically, his smile, sense of humor and love for people will never pass away. I will keep all of you in my prayers.
Steve Gannon
December 14, 2013
My most sincere condolences to you and your family Andrea! Darby was such a nice, nice man and will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your beautiful family. If there is anything I can do, please let me know!
Debbie Foord
December 14, 2013
Our love and sympathy to the Fuerst Family. Darby will be forever in our hearts.
Robert Down School Staff
December 13, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you, dear Andrea, and your family at this time of sorrow. I am blessed to have known Darby. Truly loved and respected in the community. He did so much for so many and always with a smile.
Anne Goode
December 13, 2013
Thinking of you all today as you say goodbye to a very special guy.
Christine
Christine Capen-Frederick
December 13, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Al & Teresa Borges
December 13, 2013
Darby was a person like no other. His laughter and story telling always made me smile. I learned a lot from Darby and am grateful that I worked and laughed with him for so long. May you find comfort and peace in remembering all the wonderful things about Darby. My deepest sympathies to all of you.
Sara Reyes
December 13, 2013
I interacted with Darby occasionally on water issues on the Monterey Peninsula and always respected his expertise and professional demeanor. But what I will always remember him for was his excellent leadership of PG's Boy Scout Troop 90 - he was such a great role model for the kids - strong but gentle, firm but patient, and what a great sense of humor!
My condolences to Andrea and the family!
Jan Sweigert
December 13, 2013
I interacted with Darby occasionally on water issues on the Peninsula and always respected his professional expertise. But what I really will remember him for was his excellent leadership of PG's Troop 90. He was such a great role model - strong but gentle, firm but patient, and what a great sense of humor.
My condolences to Andrea and the family!
Jan Sweigert
December 13, 2013
Sympathy to all extended Fuerst clan on the loss of Darby. He was a great guy, always in a good mood, and would light up whenever he spoke about his family. He will be remembered and missed by so many. Prayers to you all.
Molly Laughlin
December 13, 2013
What a wonderful man, so dedicated to his community and to his family. We lost a great one way too soon. My sympathies to you his loving family.
\
Pamela Cain
December 13, 2013
My prayers are with you. May the happy memories overshadow the sense of loss, in time.
Julie Heilman
December 13, 2013
Alvin Edwards
December 13, 2013
We send our love to your whole family. Darby was a wonderful person and always a joy to be around. We are so sorry that we won't make the service, but we see you in the near future.
Dave & Sue Wallet
Sue & Dave Waller
December 12, 2013
Sorry for your lose. You are in our thoughts and prayers
thomas&melissa mccraley
December 12, 2013
Nicole Amaral
December 12, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God surround each of you with His loving grace and give you peace during this trying time. I will remember Darby's integrity, how he strove for excellence and his great story telling! He will be greatly missed.
Debbie Martin
December 12, 2013
Darby was an exceptional man who was both loved and respected by his co-workers. He could make the esoteric understandable and interesting. And he told the best stories, whether it was talking about family or explaining the mythology of the X-Files. He will long be remembered with great fondness.
Cynthia Schmidlin
December 12, 2013
I am filled with so much love for Darby, Andrea and the Fuerst Family, which feels like my own due to many wonderful years at MPWMD watching his kids grow and hearing many stories about them and so many other facets of his life, including twin Rory. Even work-related trials and tribulations were punctuated with much laughter. Darby was known as a man of integrity, honesty, humor and great technical knowledge, and was respected by all (even opponents) for those reasons. He could explain complex situations in ways people could easily understand, which is quite a gift. We all felt a great loyalty to him as a manager, colleague and friend. I am so sad that Darby's voice has been silenced in such a cruel way, but he will always live large in my memory. "You're Alive" always (a private joke we shared). With sincere condolences to you all for this great loss. Much Love, Henri
Henrietta Stern
December 12, 2013
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