Guy Charles Kulstad

1930 - 2018

GUY CHARLES KULSTAD FEB 28, 1930 - DEC 14, 2017 Guy Charles Kulstad was born February 28, 1930 in Bend, Oregon and passed away peacefully Dec 14, 2017 at his home surrounded by family. His grandparents Charles and Anna Boyd were founding pioneers homesteading in Bend, Oregon. Guy's father, John Kulstad was the son of John and Josie Kulstad, who immigrated to the United States with their parents from Norway. Guy was deeply proud of his pioneer Boyd roots and his strong Norwegian heritage. Those ties were the foundation of the man Guy became. Surrounded by a large extended family, Guy's childhood on a ranch in Central Oregon brought many unique memories. His favorites were the times he would spend down by the Deschutes River visiting with the "hobos" at their hobo camp. Many of those men came to the ranch looking for a meal or work to make a few dollars. Those Depression years had an enormous impact on Guy's life. Guy loved trains, and the lore of hobos hitching rides on trains only increased his passion. Guy's travel's included many train adventures. His love of boats was just as strong. Three unique types of boat travel were the adventures of a lifetime. They included Tall Ships, the grandeur and history was pure magic to him, Cargo or Freighter Ships, his engineer's mind was fascinated with the delicate balance of loading and unloading enormous cargo containers at the world's largest and busiest ports. These journeys were made even more special by the time spent learning the stories of a life at sea from crew and captain. And finally, and most cherished, was cruising the waters from Seattle, WA to Alaska, on his son, Mark's yacht. Those days spent on the water were among the highlights of Guy's life. In his travels Guy visited 41 countries and 35 oceans and seas. His trips included Europe, Central America, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Egypt, India, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. He crossed the North Atlantic twice on a four-masted sailing ship and sailed on a sister ship from Italy through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to India. Guy was not a natural student and school was a chore, but after Guy graduated from Bend High School, he set his sights on becoming a Civil Engineer. By sheer grit and determination he pursued that goal starting in Los Angeles City College while working as a saw filer's helper at Harbor Box and Lumber Company under his dad John M. Kulstad who was the head filer. He was then accepted to UC Berkeley and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1958. His education was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, where he served in the Army Corp of Engineers as a combat engineer, surveyor, construction foreman and achieved the rank of Sergeant After his discharge he married his wife, Bonnie and completed his education. Guy's career in civil engineering began with the Los Angeles County Road Department in 1951 then as Director of Public Works for the City of Benicia, CA, followed by Deputy Director of Public Works, in Solano County, CA. His final career move was Director of Public Works, Road Commissioner, County Surveyor and Flood Control Engineer for Humboldt County from Dec 1, 1965 to July 18, 1992. Accepting this position after the catastrophic 1964 flood was a monumental challenge for a young man not yet 35. Called "the kid" by the old guard when he started, he later earned the moniker "Chief", and at other times that "SOB". He loved the work and found his 28-year career with Humboldt rewarding and stimulating. Guy devoted the rest of his life to the people and places that make Humboldt County such an amazing place to call home. Guy was a licensed Civil Engineer in California, Oregon and Washington. He was a licensed Traffic Engineer in California, a licensed Land Surveyor in Oregon and held a California Community College Credential. Guy was a fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers. He was a member of both the National Society of Professional and County Engineers. His Biography was included in the publications: Who's Who in the West, America, World, Government and Science and Industry. Guy loved his family, and enjoyed his home overlooking the ocean and Trinidad Head. Guy, Honey, Daddy, Dad, Papa, Pa was a generous authoritarian. As the patriarch he had a deep regard for family. He loved having parties for his family and friends and passing on traditions and embracing new ones that encouraged family gatherings. His Christmas Tree Party, where family and friends gathered to erect and decorate an 18-foot tree each year became a holiday event for many who loved Guy and his enthusiasm for the season. Guy was strict and lenient, generous and frugal, open minded and traditional, fun and frustrating - an introverted extrovert, in a word human. We will miss him forever and will continue to honor those traditional family gatherings that brought him so much joy. His parents John M Kulstad and Anne Boyd Kulstad Ibison precede him in death. His ex-wife and love of his life, Bonnie Kulstad, daughter Anne Kulstad-Hurst and husband Richard, son Mark Kulstad and wife Mary and daughter Alice Krause and husband Alan survive him. Also, Grandchildren (the little darlings) Sonja Kulstad- Hurst and partner Ron Grove, Josie Hurst-Jackson and husband Ryan, Jasper Anderton, Emily Aranda and husband Steven, Tess Krause, Sara Krause, Brianna Tedor and Partner Roy Solano. Great Grandchildren Boyd Jackson, Daiana Mojica Aranda, Gabriella Aranda and Elena Aranda, Jade Grove and Roy Solano Jr. Brother John Kulstad and wife Pat Thomas and niece Kerry Kulstad-Thomas, nephews Mark, John and Jim Kulstad and numerous other relatives that lived out of the area. In addition to his family interests he enjoyed reading, backpacking, hiking, an enjoying nature. He was a tutor with the Humboldt Literacy Project for many years. Guy attempted to live by the precepts of Bessie J Stanley's poem: Success He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humboldt Area Foundation, 373 Indianola Rd, Bayside, CA 95524 to the Guy C Kulstad memorial fund. Guy's family would like to thank all of the people who came together over the last few years to help care for and assist him in staying in his home during his struggle with cancer. The family will host an Open House Celebration of Life in Guy's home Saturday Feb 17, 2018, 12:30-4:00 with toasts and short memories at the top of each hour. For directions please call 443-8261 Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com