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Darwin Sainz Obituary
Darwin E. Sainz, 76, passed away Monday, March 14, 2011 at his home in Los Alamos, surrounded by his family.
He leaves his wife and sweetheart of over 54 years, Jeanette; his daughter Denise and her husband Kurt Heidepriem, his son Charlie and his wife Becky. He also leaves his grandsons; Ben and his wife, Jamie Lahr, Daniel Lahr, Andrew and Carl Sainz, step grandsons, Spencer and Alex Heidepriem.
8th generation Californian, he was born in Santa Maria and raised on Orcutt Hill, the son of Edward and Frances (Mitchell) Sainz, he was a lifelong resident on the family's ranch near Los Alamos, CA. After graduating from Santa Maria High School in 1952, he attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and graduated there in 1957 with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Mathematics.
He met his wife, Jeanette Tognazzi, in High School and they were married in 1956.
Darwin worked for Unocal for 35 years and was their senior engineer and governmental affairs supervisor for Unocal's North American Oil and Gas Division in the Santa Maria District, Orcutt, CA.
He was on the Allan Hancock College District Board of Trustees for 8 years, Marian Medical Center Board of Trustees for 6 years, Westec Taft College Oil Field Vocational (Westside Energy Services Training and Educations Center) in Taft since 1983, fund raising Chairman and President of the United Way of the Central Coast for 10 years, first Executive Director of California Coastal Operators Group (C/COG), a member of the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission from1964 - 1982 (16 years) with 8 years as Chairman, developing the County's Ag Element and Sign Ordinance, and he was on the Los Alamos Elementary School Board for 13 years.
Darwin was awarded Outstanding Young Man of America in 1965 and Citizen of the Year in 1992 for the Santa Maria Valley.
An avid outdoors man, his passion was hunting, fishing and enjoying ranch life. He was always preparing for the next expedition, often to Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Springs were spent with his sweetheart spotting Calochortus lilies (wild flowers) and fishing every chance he got.
Growing up knowing his grandparents and great grandparents, he enjoyed sharing his memories, local folklore and history of the central coast, which made him a popular speaker for various groups.
Graveside services will be Friday, March 18th, 1:00 pm at the Los Alamos Cemetery with visitation at Dudley Hoffman mortuary Thursday night, March 17th from 5-7 pm.
Memorial contributions in memory of Darwin E. Sainz may be made to the Marian Medical Center Building Fund, 1400 E. Church St., Santa Maria, CA 93454
Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory and Memory Gardens.
Dudley-Hoffman
Mortuary & Crematory
(805) 922-8463
www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Darwin Sainz
phil ayer
March 25, 2011
Jeanette,
Our address is:
Phil and Erica Ayer
12001 Victor Rd
Anchorage, AK 99515
Or jump on a dogsled and head north!
Phil
March 23, 2011
Dear Jeanette,
I am so sorry to hear of Darwin's passing. I enjoyed working with Darwin over the years. He was truly a fine gentleman and a great representative of Unocal and the industry as a whole. He will be sadly missed. My best to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Rich Keller
Bobby Dias
March 19, 2011
Jeanette- 50+ years ago I said to your loving husband that somebody must of misspelled his name from Saint. He said back: No, you are talking about my wife. She is the real saint. I must have called him Saint a hundred times after that to bring that glow to his face that he got everytime he thought of you.
Penny Rice
March 17, 2011
Jeanette and famiy, i am so sorry for your loss...Darwin was the sweetest man and had such a bright spirit. He was one of my favorite patients and i will miss seeing his smiling face in our office.
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Tom McCollum
March 17, 2011
Jeanette and family, our condolences from the 1979 - 1987 Unocal Santa Maria Valley Reservoir Engineers, Don Wotring, Phil Ayer, Tom McCollum, Veronica Stevenson, Bob Navo, Chuck Field, Chuck Hodkins, Valarie Lee, Gary Carlson and Pete Stokes (Unocal Shuffle Group). Darwin would be glad to know that Orcutt Hill production is back over 2,500 BOPD and that the School House and production facilities are looking better than ever. Drill baby drill..
Dan Kirk
March 17, 2011
Darwin was the epitome of a "Gentleman and a Scholar". His life was an example of a man with intellect,humility and service to his community.
He was an interesting and informative conversationalist who genuinely loved people and was respectful of their views. Above all, he was fun to be around.
God comfort Jeanette and his children in their loss of a wonerful husband and father.
Pat Stappart Hudak
March 16, 2011
Jeanette & Family, I was sorry to hear that Darwin has passed away. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I can't recall the last time I saw either you or Darwin, but I have never forgotten you from school. Your former classmate,
phil ayer
March 16, 2011
Jeanette,
A very kind and welcoming man indeed.
Erica and I will continue to have nothing but fond memories of the man with the welcoming smile and a heart of gold. He made a lasting impression in my life through his example - he actually walked the talk. The wonderful memories can never be taken away - enjoy them often - and as you do look up and smile - he will be smiling down on you.
Remembrance:
Darwin and you sharing time with my wife (biologists) walking the fields of your ranch discusing flowers. My wife loves flowers.
I remember being invited by Darwin to his ranch for a round up in early 80’s (which had a great feast afterwards). I was sitting on the fence at one point talking to a nice "older" women (I was 24 years old at the time) who asked me what I did for Union Oil. I replied that I was the Guadalupe engineer. Her reply was “oh – you’re the son of a b--!”. Looks like I was talking to Darwins' wife. We both laughed. This was about the time I was raising hell about the less then adequate steamflood well testing at Guadalupe which had resulted in putting more then a little pressure on Darwin's group. Fond memory indeed!
Phil and Erica Ayer
Anchorag, Alaska
(worked at Union Oil Orcutt office 1979-1986)
March 16, 2011
Dear Jeanette and Denise,
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and father.
Darwin Sainz was one of the most gracious, generous men I have ever had the privilege to know. While working for United Way I was fortunate to get to know him as an active, involved community advocate.
Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Diane (Woodward) MacEntee
Kathy Baldwin
March 16, 2011
Jeanette and family;
I am so sorry to read of your loss. My dad always enjoyed going to the ranch near Los Alamos, I am sure they are sharing stories now in the heavenly kingdom.
May you find peace and hope knowing that others share your loss and are keeping you in prayer.
With Love and prayers
Kathy Nogues Baldwin.
Mt. Angel, Oregon
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