Herbert SEMMELMEYER Jr.

Passed away peacefully in Santa Rosa, August 22, 2012, at his home with his family present. Dearly beloved husband of 60 years of Barbara Semmelmeyer. Loving father of Herbert Semmelmeyer III of Rohnert Park; Ann E. Moskowite (George) of Napa; Mark W. Semmelmeyer (Liz) of Sunnyvale; Craig A Semmelmeyer of Lafayette, and Mary I. Gagliardi (Mark) of Oakland. Dear brother of Marian Stoner of Reno, NV. Adored grandfather of Ryan Semmelmeyer, Michael Semmelmeyer, Madison Moskowite, Jessica Gagliardi, and Andrew Gagliardi, and great grandfather of Ava Semmelmeyer. Born in Chicago, IL, Herb moved with his family at a young age to Southern California. He attended Beverly Vista Grammar School through 8th grade, when his family moved to San Mateo. They returned to Beverly Hills, and Herb was able to graduate with his friends from Beverly Hills High School in 1944. A gifted athlete, Herb excelled at every sport he ever undertook. By high school, "Big Herb" was a towering 6'5" and earned letters in Basketball, Track and Football. He was very proud of earning a spot on the CIF All Southern California Basketball Team his senior year. During College, he played basketball for both San Mateo College and UCLA. Herb left UCLA early to take a position of Management Trainee with Great American Insurance Company. This took him to Portland where he met his wife Barbara. They then moved to Sacramento, and finally to Santa Rosa. In 1963, Herb became partners in a local insurance company, and upon assuming full ownership, he renamed it Santa Rosa Insurance Agency. He continued in this business until retirement, and merged his business with George Peterson & Associates. A truly patriotic American, Herb served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during the end of World War II. As an active member of the community, he was a member of Santa Rosa Lodge #57 F.&A.M., a longtime member and Past President of the Santa Rosa Rotary Club, a Past Council Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America, Redwood Empire Chapter, and a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church of the Roses. Herb loved the outdoors, enjoying fishing and hiking with his family, and spending as much time as possible at the family cabin at Lake George in the Eastern Sierra's. A 30 year member of La Cantera Racquet Club, Herb was an avid tennis player. At the age of 78, he took up golf, recording a hole-in-one in 2006, and recently beating both his son and grandson. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Daniels Chapel of the Roses. Private family inurnment. If desired, donation in his memory may be made to Polio Plus, c/o The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60693, or to your favorite charity. Daniels Chapel of the Roses Funeral Home & Crematory 525-3730