Herbert W. Gundersen

Herbert W. Gundersen Feb. 17, 1913 - May 20, 2009 On May 20th Herbert Gundersen lost a hard fought, six month battle with illness. Herb was born in Lynn, Massachusetts February 17, 1913, where he lived until his early teens. In 1926, Herb's parents drove him and his three brothers across country to San Jose where he has lived ever since. His youth was spent going to school, working in his dad's bakery, or working in the canning industry which prevailed in the valley at that time. He met Eva Barberi, his one and only love, at San Jose State College and was married on June 1, 1938 in Virginia City, Nevada. Herb was an alumnus of the University of California Berkeley School of Business. He served his country in the Pacific as a naval officer during World War II. Herb had a variety of occupations as an adult. Before the war he owned and operated a successful general store in San Martin. After the war he was a floor walker at Hart's department store and a successful pear grower. In 1950, he built the home that he has since lived. This subsequently launched him into the residential construction business. He was to become one of the valley's premier residential contractors and developers of his time. Herb retired from the contracting business in 1969 and entered the investment world where he has been ever since. He was a benefactor of the University of California, Santa Clara University and the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital as well as numerous other charities. Herb is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Eva, his son Dr. Herbert Gundersen Jr. and his wife Roxanne, his grandchildren Herbert III, Loren, Erik and Olivia and their spouses and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear sister-in-law, Louise Selman and her daughter, his niece, Marcia Giachetti and her family as well as numerous other nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to attend a Visitation Monday, May 25, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at LIMA-CAMPAGNA-ALAMEDA MISSION CHAPEL, 600 S. Second Street, San Jose. Funeral Mass Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 9:30 A.M. at St. Christopher Church, 1576 Curtner Avenue, San Jose. Interment to follow at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, Santa Clara. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted for the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital, Hospice of Santa Clara County and the Caritas Society.