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Gerald B. Pohl
1947 - 2022
Gerald B. Pohl
1947 - 2022
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1947
DIED
2022
Gerald Pohl Obituary
Gerald “Jerry” Pohl was born in Los Angeles, CA on May 14th, 1947 to Jack and Maureen. He was later raised in Long Beach by his parents, Stan and Maureen Pohl. He grew up on Huntdale Street with his five siblings, Dianne, Danny, Tom, Steve, and Erin. Jerry graduated from Millikan High School in 1965. While attending UCI, he was drafted into the army and served in the Vietnam War (1968).
Upon returning from Vietnam he met and fell in love with his soulmate, Olivia Castillo. They were married in Long Beach on April 17th, 1971. For those 52 years, the two were each other’s lifelong companions and best friends. Together, they had three children, Lori, Jeff, and Amy; all to be their favorite.
Jerry completed his degree with a Bachelor of Science from CSULB and subsequently went to work in the aerospace industry. He worked for 37 years to end his career in 2012. Jerry was the “go-to-guy” and was well respected to many in his field.
He was passionate about traveling and making memories. He loved to spend time with his family vacationing in Kauai, camping across California parks and beaches, and at his “home away from home” in Lake Arrowhead. When he wasn’t traveling, he was baking, making photo albums, or giving advice to neighbors, friends, and family. He lived by his Catholic faith and service to others and his community. He will be remembered by his “Nextdoor Neighbors” as “Jerry Pohl Pole-Painter.”
He was a proud husband, brother, father, and grandfather. He had eight grandchildren; Zachary, Elliette, Cole, Maddison, Delaney, Thatcher, Noah, and Gabriel; all to be his favorite. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Tom.
Jerry bravely fought pancreatic cancer and was called home to Heaven on December 17th, at 9:35 p.m. He was surrounded by his family’s love, prayer, and song.
To those that knew Jerry, tell his stories, sing his songs, capture moments, and smile for him. Live life through his lens – dedicated to faith, family, and love.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org.
19 Entries
Eric Jordan
January 28, 2023
Jerry,
Thank you
I’m so grateful for having you as a role model for over 30 years. I’ve always been in awe of your selflessness and compassion for family and friends and it’s something I’ll always strive for. I wouldn’t be the husband, father, or friend I am today without having you in my life.
Thank you for all of the life lessons. I’m grateful for the time you spent teaching me. I’m going to miss your ideas and shortcuts. Your new way of doing things in which you would tell us with excitement. You always had that big smile and that’s what I’ll remember. You’d be waiting for us to see the value and excitement in what you saw. Your passion for life will live on in all of us. I promise I will do my best to carry on your your spirit and traditions.
Your Favorite Son-in-Law,
Eric
MaryAnn Richmond
January 26, 2023
Jerry was my boss at Boeing ... I couldn’t have asked for a sweeter boss ... he will be missed ...
Andrea Strouse
January 6, 2023
When you become friends with a Pohl, you become friends with the entire family...or at least that's how I felt when I joined in on numerous Sunday dinners. Thinking back, I'm not sure I was ever officially invited. I would just show up with Amy. In contrast to Jerry, Amy and I were loud, obnoxious, and opinionated. I'm sure we drove Jerry bonkers but he just kept on welcoming me into his home Sunday after Sunday. In this space, I learned that it is okay to be you...okay to express yourself, and okay to not be just like everyone else. You could be loud and you could be loved at the same time. Jerry was an exceptional human and I am blessed to have known him. Most recently, we shared a conversation about garages. If you have seen Jerry's garage...you KNOW what I am talking about. It is spectacular and there is a place for everything. In true Jerry fashion, he sent me a link to the people who installed the cabinets. It may not be today, or tomorrow, or even months from now...but eventually I will have those cabinets installed in my garage. And when I do, they will be dedicated to one of the greats! Thank you Jerry for supporting Amy and my friendship. You are loved.
Amy Lu (Ravera)
January 6, 2023
Lori was my best friend at St. C, & since God gave me the Archie Bunker version of a father, Jerry inevitably became the 2nd (fun) father that filled the gap. I spent numerous weekends sleeping over, to the point that Jerry’s regular joke was that he should get a tax write off on me. Looking back, I think of him now as a perfect servant leader. Always at Livi’s side, waiting for assignments such as lawn care, washing windows, cooking, or running us to Lakewood mall (to meet boys ). Jerry was her equal partner (kind of revolutionary in the 80’s), all the while treating her as his beautiful Queen. He taught me how to make tapioca pudding, how to properly wipe down a table (yes, I had chores there too), how to string a fishing rod, included me in camping trips to Refugio where all 4 of us kids slept on the opposite side of their pop up trailer bed (how did we fit?) He would grab my ribs & tickle them to the point of pain (definitely won’t miss that). I remember the exciting day when he brought home a Mac computer that had a program that would recite words. He laughed and stood by & didn’t punish Lori and I for asking the Mac to dictate swear words. My parents would always just give me money to ride our bikes to lunch, but Jerry would make Lori earn it, so I would hurriedly be helping her wash the car for the $5, so I was closer to that Chicken McNugget Happy Meal. When school got out every year, he would sing us Summertime, Summertime and take us swimming at Grandma Maureen’s. With the amount of joy he spread, I’m sad the good Lord only had him on loan to us for 75 years, but in hindsight, Jerry sure made them all quality years (#lifegoals). I am blessed to have been able to extract so many great lessons and examples. Love you Jerry and Livi!
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Angela Cesario
January 6, 2023
My deepest condolences to the Pohl family. May God comfort all you with His love and Blessings during this difficult time
Dolores Cordova
January 6, 2023
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Linda Quilizapa-Pohl
January 5, 2023
I feel very blessed to have been able to call Jerry my father-in-law. From the moment I met him, he was always welcoming and caring. To see Jerry at his best was to see him as a “papa” - always loving, patient & involved; the North Star that guided our family. I will miss seeing him piddling around the house always looking for something to do. I will miss his advice and tidbits of wisdom. He inspires me to be a better parent and a better spouse. Thank you for everything you did for us. I promise to tell the boys all about you and pass on your values of faith, family and integrity. Above all, thank you for giving me my favorite person, my wife Lori.
Ann Ramirez
January 4, 2023
Jerry was a wonderful friend and neighbor, always sharing his baked goods and offering tea or wine. He shared his love of travel with all that took the time to sit and listen to all the wonderful adventures he and Livi had. We raised our families together, camped together and shared some great times together.
Thank you Jerry for all the wonderful memories. I will miss you Jerry Pohl❤
Ray Bond
January 4, 2023
Gerry has been a dear friend for 45 years. We went on fun Refugio camping trips a few times and he always went to a great deal of work happily planning activities. He loved creating family memories over the years and was a dedicated husband, dad and papa.
We had the pleasure of his friendship and sense of humor and will miss him. Our hearts go out to his family.
Ray and Joyce Bond
Thankful Friends and Neighbors of Pohls
Tim Schugt
January 3, 2023
To the entire Pohl family my deepest sympathy. Although I never met Mr. Pohl, I know that anyone who raised a daughter as wonderful as Amy, and grandkids as lovely as Elliette and Cole must have been an amazing man....one who will be missed. Continue to watch over your family from your spot in Heaven.
Raeann McNamara
December 31, 2022
So sad to hear of Jerry’s passing. Sending love and hugs to your family at this difficult time. Jerry always had a smile and a hello at family gatherings and all those years doing games at the picnic making the kids so happy. Take care ❤
Glenda Culbertson
December 30, 2022
My condolence to your family. Praise God that Jerry is no longer suffering with cancer; may he rest in peace.
Victoria Castillo
December 30, 2022
A man with great integrity and kindness who loved deeply. He will be missed, always
Ken Bonja
December 30, 2022
I first met Jerry at Rockwell Newport Beach 43 years ago when I applied for a job which he had posted at Long Beach State. He had a unique end office that looked out onto the breezeway between the two buildings. In that office he had a coffee station and a CRT. He asked me a few questions but mostly went over my transcripts. It wasn’t long before he sat me beside the CRT and showed me the latest computer project he was inventing. After being hired I found out that he was head of the coffee club and he liked having the station in his office both to keep in touch with the Engineers and to demo the latest business system that he was designing for them. The other bonus was that he got free coffee. For the next 32 years I either worked for Jerry or with him on many projects. Some of the first involved writing financial programs on a HP computer used in the test lab. This turned out to be quicker and a lot cheaper than using the mainframe. One of the programs that Jerry dreamed up was called the Matrix. This was a series of rows and columns where numbers and formulas were on the boundaries with the calculated results at the intersection. Sort of like Lotus or Excel before these products existed. Besides Jerry always coming up with ideas, he was good at selling the idea and loved teaching it. Part of the selling and teaching was creating presentations. This was the driving reason that in 1984, he and I procured two of the first Macintosh computers for Rockwell Santa Ana due to their graphics ability. Jerry also procured one the first LISA computers from Apple. All this led to his ability to craft PowerPoint presentations a skill he has taught to many co-workers and I would bet all his kids and grandkids. Thinking back over the years I will remember and miss his unbridled enthusiasm, his sayings and stories, his Irish jokes, and especially his advice and expertise. The advice changed as we aged. Went from how to stop babies from crying, to how to manage dating daughters, to vacations and timeshare strategies.
PS
Most memorable trip with Jerry, Don Knowles and myself was to Boston to visit another company that was using a system that we were considering buying. The day we were to fly home was Sept 11, 2001. We had wrapped up the night before and thought about an earlier flight, but fortunately we chose to visit Salem in the a.m. and keep our early afternoon flights. Good choice since on the way to Salem we heard of the attack and its scale. Jerry (quick thinking) thought that we would be stuck for a while so stopped at an Auto Club, looked at the brochures, and picked the Colonial Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine. Excellent choice and great lobster dinner. To top this off, in the morning Jerry grabbed our laundry and went to a laundromat while Don and I relaxed.
Ron Castillo
December 30, 2022
Geri— you were the epitome of what being a husband, father, grandfather and friend is all about. I remember meeting you in 1968 when you were still in the Army and marveling at how devoted you were to Livi even then, picking her up every night as she got off from work at Casa Castillo and making sure she got home safely. It is no surprise that your love lasted for over 52 years. RIP my friend ❤
Gina Hicks
December 28, 2022
Liv and family. So sorry for your loss. Jerry was a treasure to know. May your memories bring a smile to your face. I loved talking travel adventures with him.
Adam Westrich
December 28, 2022
Jerry was my first boss out of college at Boeing in 2005. I met him at career fair at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and his smile and jovial spirit brought my to his booth. He took a chance on me and gave me my first internship and subsequent first job when I was done with College. Even though Jerry ranked well above me in the organization, he was never too busy to give out guidance, a meaningful task, and made it a pleasure working for him. He always took the time to give me the confidence and opportunities to succeed. Jerry was a master at his job by always thinking of new ways and opportunities to establish the value out of his group and finding the funding to keep it growing. When I think of him, the world will miss his calm presence, his innovation, his million dollar smile and compassion. He always made an effort to keep in touch even after I left Boeing and advanced in my career; and it was always a joy to hear from him. I just wanted his family to know how much of an impact he had on my life and the legacy he left on others
Ryan Small
December 26, 2022
Gerry (and Liv) our neighbor of 17 years continues to be an inspiration to me as a husband, father, and friend. Often we would see the Pohl family gathered in the front yard, in the home, and their backyard enjoying the fellowship of togetherness. Almost daily I would see Gerry tinkering with just about anything reachable whether it was on his knees attending to the yard sprinklers, planting trees or manicuring the lawn by hand. For years our greeting and salutation was a quick hand gesture if I could catch his attention from what he focused on. One day, (after years of being neighbors) we took a moment and engaged in conversation as I found Gerry for the first time not doing anything in particular. It was one of the greatest times of being the guy’s next door neighbor, and I looked forward to catching him not doing anything so I could have one of those moments again.
Let me tell you, the day he invited me to see their newly renovated back yard, the joy he exuded in grabbing me to take a tour, I will never ever forget that moment. The smile and joy he had will rest in my memory forever. Liv and all of the Pohl family, you have our condolences and love. Ryan and Bridgette
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