Dirk West

1926 - 2017

Dirk West
June 26, 1926 – August 17, 2017
Resident of Santa Cruz
Services will be held for Dirk West on Thursday, October 26 at Benito Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel at 3 pm. He passed away at his residence in Santa Cruz County after a brief illness at age 91. His children were with him.
Dirk was the oldest of three boys, born to Edna Lena Ledbetter and Cecil Cattan West in Virginia, Minnesota. He served in the US Army during World War II and married Mary Therese Brolley on New Year's Eve 1947 upon returning from duty in post-war France. Mary was his lifelong companion and preceded him in death in February 2015.
The newlyweds lived in the Hyde Park neighborhood while Dirk attended The University of Chicago on the GI Bill. Following graduation he taught at the Orthogenic School, a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed children, directed by Bruno Bettelheim. Dirk and Mary moved to the San Francisco Bay area in 1954, where he continued his career as a special education teacher at Tamalpais High School. Later, he coordinated special education services at the Marin County School District. Under his supervision, the county initiated several innovative programs including the first California public school classes for autistic children, and the first public preschool program for special needs children. It was during this time that he had the pleasure of escorting Senator Barbara Boxer on a tour of special education facilities in the county.
Both Dirk and Mary were very active in local politics in Marin and Santa Cruz Counties and were chosen Democrats of the Year by the Democratic Women's Club of Santa Cruz. They volunteered with the St. Francis Soup Kitchen, the Resource Center for Nonviolence, Gray Bears, the Cancer Society, and the United Nations shop while in Santa Cruz. Dirk was especially proud of his volunteer work with the Red Cross. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and was very active in community affairs at San Lorenzo Apartments where he and Mary lived for 27 years.
Dirk was a cheerful man, with a wry sense of humor, a kind heart, a shining intelligence, and a gentlemanly manner. He enjoyed jazz music and had a keen interest in science and politics. He read several newspapers daily and thoroughly researched issues in advance of every voting season. He had an adventurous spirit, was always willing to try something new, and delighted in the simple pleasures of the everyday and the beauty of nature.
He was the loving father of Christina, Lizann (David), Rebecca, Anthony Scott (Barbara), Cara Carmela, Colin, and Emily (Jason). He was grandfather to: Carmella, Siobhan, Magdalena, Hilary, Carissa, Matthew, Teresa, and Hannah; and great-grandfather to Ethan, Diego, Ebin, Desmond, Jordan, Cooper, Annie Austen, Ember, Charlie Rose, Cruz, and Kyra. He was preceded in death by his daughter Cara Carmela, son Colin, wife Mary, and brother Charles. He will live forever in the hearts of his family and friends. Our thanks to Hospice of Santa Cruz, Soquel Leisure Villa, and his caregivers Rosie, Chris, and Rosario.
Donations in honor of Dirk West may be sent to the Red Cross, the St. Francis Soup Kitchen, and MHCAN in Santa Cruz.


View the online memorial for Dirk  West