MARK KERMIT

Mark Kermit Mark Kermit, born in Vienna, Austria on June I, 1921, died just prior to his 91st birthday on April 9, 2012 He left Vienna on the afternoon of November 8, 1938, miraculously escaping the infamous "Kristallnacht". During WWII he served in the U.S. Army field artillery and in denazification procedures immediately after the war. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering from Columbia University. In December 1947, he married Penny. They left New York for a job in Seattle, but were enchanted by San Francisco and stayed there. He then earned his Master's Degree in Traffic Engineering from UC Berkeley. He worked for the S.F. Department of Public Works until 1958 when he became Deputy Director of Public Works for Contra Costa County. He worked on life-saving Rumble Strips; a road paving that creates a rhythmic vibration as cars go over it alerting drivers to unexpected danger. When the railroad right of way became available, he was instrumental in preserving it as parkland, The Iron Horse Trail. He retired from Contra Costa County after 25 years, and then served UC Berkeley for 10 years as administrator of an Extension Division program for the Institute of Transportation Engineering. He arranged seminars for technology transfer between the University and workers in the field. After retiring from UCB, he acted as a legal consultant. Mark and Penny were married for 64 years. Their three children and seven grandchildren, Eve (Victor Canfield), Mari, and Elliot; Eben (Lynn Ware), Jeremy, Nathan, Mark and Brooke; and Jesse (Marilyn Kermit), and Lucas, were with him offering comfort and care at the end of his long and productive life. He will be sorely missed. Please make donations to Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549 or the charity of your choice. Sinai Memorial Chapel (925) 962-3636