Earl James Hajic passed peacefully at home in Santa Barbara, CA on December 4, 2025 at the impressive age of 99. He is preceded by his wife Winifred and his brothers Edgar (Carol) and Robert Edward, and his sister Phyllis Jean (Frank). He is survived by his three sons Gregory James (Barbara), Kenneth Jon and Steven Jeffrey (Marji); and his grandson Zachary James.
Earl (aka Bud) was born in Chicago, IL on June 4, 1926 to Edward Bedrich Hajic and Lilly Mikuta. As one of "the Greatest Generation", Earl's formative years were shaped by the Great Depression and World War II. While in high school, Earl's older brother Bob was killed in action while on patrol in the Solomon Islands. This early loss continued to impact Earl throughout his lifetime.
After graduating from J. Sterling Morton High School, Earl served in the Navy between 1944 and 1946, performing aircraft radar & radio servicing as well as aircraft & engine maintenance, sparking his interest in electronics. Earl later became a proud Illini at the University of Illinois where he received his Bachelor (1950) & Masters (1951) of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Earl met his future wife Winifred (Wink) at the Berwyn Bible Church and they began dating in their college years. They married on June 6, 1953 and celebrated 61 anniversaries until Wink passed in 2014. Throughout the years, Earl paid tribute to Wink as being the one who "provides stability and insight for all of us."
During those early years in Chicago, Earl was employed as a Microwave Systems Engineer by Motorola before transferring to their research lab as new opportunities offered adventures on the west coast. The couple initially settled in Riverside where Earl developed his expertise in microwave electronics as a Countermeasures System Engineer. This experience led him to apply for a position in Santa Barbara with General Electric Tempo, a "think tank" which offered Earl interesting projects.
Although his employers moved out of the area, the Hajics decided to remain in Santa Barbara and raise their 3 sons there. Earl completed a variety of research projects for spin-off companies which included completing studies with a theological and a behavioral scientist, studying terrorist activity regarding the civil nuclear industry, analyzing medical and educational data and providing technological forecasting. In addition, Earl taught at Santa Barbara City College and provided gardening services to Grace Church where the Hajics were longtime community members.
Earl dated a love of photography to the purchase of a 50 cent camera when he was 13, particularly enjoying shooting seascapes and portraits in his adult years.
His photography business "Images Of" sold prints at the holiday Yes Store, the Cabrillo Beach Art Walk and the July 4th Art Show at Mission Santa Barbara. Winifred was his partner selling handmade ties and speciality pin cushions.
The southern California lifestyle was good for Earl and he enjoyed participating in diverse activities such as beach running, ocean swimming & playing tennis. He did miss his Chicago days of ice skating, however, and ultimately became an icon on roller blades frequently spotted sweeping the Cabrillo Boulevard bike path of sand before attempting to set his personal speed records. On his early morning sweeps, Earl engaged with and befriended a number of the homeless that camped out in the area.
The Hajic family frequently attended local airshows together and all three sons as well as his grandson, have continued to pursue interests in aviation and photography, examples set by Earl. A highlight for the young ones was to visit the San Diego Air Museum where a Lockheed Blackbird spy plane - the plane on which Earl designed the microwave counter-measures - is on display. Just as the depression and WWII shaped his early years, the Cold War had a significant impact on his working years.
In 1980, Earl earned a second Masters Degree in Geography through UCSB. He retired from UCSB in 1991 as a respected senior lecturer and mentor in the geography department specializing in the subjects of remote sensing & image processing.
Throughout the years, Earl enthusiastically supported family and friends in all their undertakings. Daily texts or emails to family were likely to include favorite Mutts or Peanuts Comic Strips. An avid historian and archivist, Earl took pride in his Czech heritage and joined extended family members in extensively exploring family roots and genealogy. He also spent many hours researching the Marine Raiders campaign in the South Pacific contacting survivors and friends who served with his brother.
Family gatherings, both large and small, remained important to Earl - whether backyard baseball games (one game even featuring a 7th inning garden snake!), family reunions, or just daily discussions with family members analyzing favorite sports teams or professional athletes. As a Cubs fan who also rooted for the local Dodgers, Earl particularly enjoyed the 2025 World Series.
Earl remained independent and active until just before his passing, spending
time in the sun on the patio, enjoying his yard work and ensuring that the green bin was always full. However, over the last few weeks of his life, Earl began indicating that he was ready to meet with Wink once again. On his last morning, Earl made an extra cup of coffee and set it on the counter for Wink. We believe that he knew it was his time to leave us and join her.
The family extends their appreciation to Dr. Michael Bordofsky who provided invaluable support in keeping Earl independent and thriving through his last years.
If so inclined, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in Earl’s memory to Direct Relief or to VNA Health.
Earl (aka Bud) was born in Chicago, IL on June 4, 1926 to Edward Bedrich Hajic and Lilly Mikuta. As one of "the Greatest Generation", Earl's formative years were shaped by the Great Depression and World War II. While in high school, Earl's older brother Bob was killed in action while on patrol in the Solomon Islands. This early loss continued to impact Earl throughout his lifetime.
After graduating from J. Sterling Morton High School, Earl served in the Navy between 1944 and 1946, performing aircraft radar & radio servicing as well as aircraft & engine maintenance, sparking his interest in electronics. Earl later became a proud Illini at the University of Illinois where he received his Bachelor (1950) & Masters (1951) of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Earl met his future wife Winifred (Wink) at the Berwyn Bible Church and they began dating in their college years. They married on June 6, 1953 and celebrated 61 anniversaries until Wink passed in 2014. Throughout the years, Earl paid tribute to Wink as being the one who "provides stability and insight for all of us."
During those early years in Chicago, Earl was employed as a Microwave Systems Engineer by Motorola before transferring to their research lab as new opportunities offered adventures on the west coast. The couple initially settled in Riverside where Earl developed his expertise in microwave electronics as a Countermeasures System Engineer. This experience led him to apply for a position in Santa Barbara with General Electric Tempo, a "think tank" which offered Earl interesting projects.
Although his employers moved out of the area, the Hajics decided to remain in Santa Barbara and raise their 3 sons there. Earl completed a variety of research projects for spin-off companies which included completing studies with a theological and a behavioral scientist, studying terrorist activity regarding the civil nuclear industry, analyzing medical and educational data and providing technological forecasting. In addition, Earl taught at Santa Barbara City College and provided gardening services to Grace Church where the Hajics were longtime community members.
Earl dated a love of photography to the purchase of a 50 cent camera when he was 13, particularly enjoying shooting seascapes and portraits in his adult years.
His photography business "Images Of" sold prints at the holiday Yes Store, the Cabrillo Beach Art Walk and the July 4th Art Show at Mission Santa Barbara. Winifred was his partner selling handmade ties and speciality pin cushions.
The southern California lifestyle was good for Earl and he enjoyed participating in diverse activities such as beach running, ocean swimming & playing tennis. He did miss his Chicago days of ice skating, however, and ultimately became an icon on roller blades frequently spotted sweeping the Cabrillo Boulevard bike path of sand before attempting to set his personal speed records. On his early morning sweeps, Earl engaged with and befriended a number of the homeless that camped out in the area.
The Hajic family frequently attended local airshows together and all three sons as well as his grandson, have continued to pursue interests in aviation and photography, examples set by Earl. A highlight for the young ones was to visit the San Diego Air Museum where a Lockheed Blackbird spy plane - the plane on which Earl designed the microwave counter-measures - is on display. Just as the depression and WWII shaped his early years, the Cold War had a significant impact on his working years.
In 1980, Earl earned a second Masters Degree in Geography through UCSB. He retired from UCSB in 1991 as a respected senior lecturer and mentor in the geography department specializing in the subjects of remote sensing & image processing.
Throughout the years, Earl enthusiastically supported family and friends in all their undertakings. Daily texts or emails to family were likely to include favorite Mutts or Peanuts Comic Strips. An avid historian and archivist, Earl took pride in his Czech heritage and joined extended family members in extensively exploring family roots and genealogy. He also spent many hours researching the Marine Raiders campaign in the South Pacific contacting survivors and friends who served with his brother.
Family gatherings, both large and small, remained important to Earl - whether backyard baseball games (one game even featuring a 7th inning garden snake!), family reunions, or just daily discussions with family members analyzing favorite sports teams or professional athletes. As a Cubs fan who also rooted for the local Dodgers, Earl particularly enjoyed the 2025 World Series.
Earl remained independent and active until just before his passing, spending
time in the sun on the patio, enjoying his yard work and ensuring that the green bin was always full. However, over the last few weeks of his life, Earl began indicating that he was ready to meet with Wink once again. On his last morning, Earl made an extra cup of coffee and set it on the counter for Wink. We believe that he knew it was his time to leave us and join her.
The family extends their appreciation to Dr. Michael Bordofsky who provided invaluable support in keeping Earl independent and thriving through his last years.
If so inclined, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in Earl’s memory to Direct Relief or to VNA Health.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Earl James Hajic, please visit our flower store.
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