Earl Edward Brockmann

1923 - 2010

Earl Edward Brockmann, devoted father and grandfather, died peacefully on Sept. 13, 2010 in Santa Cruz, Calif., due to complications from renal failure. He was 86. Earl was born Oct. 20, 1923 in Long Beach, Calif., the older of two sons to Earl Sr. and Ruby Brockmann.

Earl was in the U.S. Navy stationed at Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle when he met his future wife. He had talked three of his shipmates into trying ice skating when he got acquainted with this really "neat girl." She loved to ice skate, and it wasn't long before they were spending all their time together. Earl married Shirley Tester on April 5, 1944 and had a grand, loving and happy marriage for 58 years.

After a year's duty on land, Earl was transferred to Tacoma, Wash., for sea duty on the newly-christened USS Gilbert Islands. The aircraft carrier saw combat during World War II and was decommissioned and mothballed at Norfolk, Va. Earl served his remaining three years of service at the Norfolk Naval Station before receiving an honorable discharge in 1948.

During WWII, a wartime directive declared that businesses were obligated to rehire employees who were serving in the military. Earl returned to Douglas Aircraft in 1949, restarting as a riveter before advancing to management. He retired from McDonnell Douglas on June 30, 1980 after completing 33 years of service.

Earl and his wife Shirley loved to travel worldwide, making stops in Ireland, Scandinavia, England, Russia, China, Australia and New Zealand over the years. He also enjoyed traveling in his RV for outings along the California coastline. One of his favorite pastimes was surf fishing. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. In 1990, Earl moved to Ventura from Lakewood, Calif.

Following the passing of his wife, Earl resided at Aegis of Ventura and Cypress Place Assisted Living. In February of 2010, Earl moved to Sunshine Villa Assisted Living in Santa Cruz to be closer to his son.

Earl is survived by his son, Dave Brockmann and wife Doll of Santa Cruz; brother, Bill Brockmann and his wife Barbara of Huntington Beach; granddaughter, Heidi Brockmann of Lexington, Mass.; grandsons, Gerald Dodson of San Diego and Sean Dodson of Downey.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, in 2002; his daughter, Kathleen, in 1990; and his parents, Earl Sr. and Ruby Brockmann.

A private family service will be held at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

The family would like to express its deep appreciation to Hospice of Santa Cruz County and to the caregivers of Florence Kuo of Scotts Valley, Calif.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made in Earl's name to Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Dr., Scotts Valley, CA 95066.

Arrangements are under the direction of Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz.