George Baxter Humphreys

1929 - 2022

George Baxter Humphreys
January 9, 1929 - April 10, 2022
Resident of Alameda, California
George Baxter Humphreys passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2022, at the age of 93. A resident of Alameda since 1983, George was preceded in death by his wife Maerose Evans Humphreys. He is survived by his four children, Nora (Richard), Jim (Toshie), George (Robin), and Matthew, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
George was born in Santa Barbara, California, the only child of George H. and Harriette Humphreys. He grew up on a dairy farm in Paso Robles and a cattle ranch near Buellton, where he enjoyed the beauty of California's oak-covered rolling hills, rivers and wildlife. He often spoke of his fifth-grade teacher, who took the class on nature walks and encouraged his appreciation of birds and wildflowers. After graduating from high school in Solvang, George attended the University of California at Berkeley, graduating with a B.S. in Process Engineering and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He also graduated from the Oak Ridge School of Reactor Technology, where he gained expertise in Nuclear Engineering. After serving two years in the Army Signal Corps at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, George joined Kaiser Engineers in Oakland, where he worked as a project engineer and manager. His projects included nuclear power and test reactors, water desalination, landfills and waste-to-energy plants. He also worked on nuclear waste repository projects and hazardous waste superfund sites, including the Pearl Harbor Navy Base. While working full time, he attended law school at night, earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco and was admitted to the State Bar. During this period, he also found time to work with a Boy Scout Troop in Lafayette for eleven years, serve as President of the Contra Costa Chapter of the California Society of Professional Engineers (CSPE) and as a CSPE State Director, and study drawing and painting for three years through adult education programs. After 38 years with Kaiser Engineers, George retired.
Following retirement, George applied his engineering experience to the cleanup of hazardous wastes at the former Alameda Air Station, by joining the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) in 2001. He served five years as Director and two years as Treasurer of Girls Inc. of the Island City, served on the Board of Directors and as V.P. of the Alameda Navy League, and served as Chair of the City's Housing and Building Code Hearing and Appeals Board. He also was a co-founder and served three years as President of the Chuck Corica Seniors Golf Club. In addition, George followed the example of his father and grandfather by becoming a prolific watercolor artist. He studied art at the Mastick Senior Center in Alameda and expressed his love of nature through painting, primarily California landscapes. He will be remembered and missed for his artistic talents, sharp intelligence and abundant knowledge on many topics, dry humor, persistent determination and loving heart. Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services Friday April 22, 2022 at 9:30am with Deacon David Young, officiating. Interment following services at Oakview Memorial Park, Antioch, CA. For further information please call, Harry Greer, Funeral Director (FDR-745).


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