Resident of Berkeley Herbert Andrew Blodgett was born on March 27, 1933 to Herbert and Gladys Blodgett in Oakland, CA. Herbert attended Fremont High School, graduating in 1951. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines and later served in the Army during the Korean War. After the war, Herbert returned home, and began his next career at General Motors. He worked his way up to a management position and worked at many GM plants throughout the United States. He was elected by his peers to become the plant "Ambassador" for visiting dignitaries and top level GM executives. Herbert was well-liked and respected throughout all levels of the organization. He was also instrumental in the hiring and mentoring of young African Americans at GM. Herbert took an early retirement so that he could devote himself fully to his first love-GOLF! He zealously focused his energies and became a skilled practitioner of the game. Traveling throughout the country , he won trophies, mentored young golfers and regularly qualified and participated in the Senior Golf Tournament at Poppy Hills in Carmel, California. Herbert was also an active member of Nick's Birdkage Golf Group in the East Bay. In the last decade of his life, Herbert reconnected with his high school love, Santelia Steven. Together they enjoyed many activities including traveling throughout the US and abroad. When Herbert wasn't on the golf course, he could be found in the kitchen making his red beans and rice and listening to his favorite jazz musician, Gene Harris. Herbert loved life. He was kind and giving. He had such a wonderful sense of humor that even in the darkest days of his illness a glimmer of that humor prevailed. Herbert ended his courageous battle against Lewy Body Dementia on Nov. 17, 2012. His father Herbert, mother Gladys and his identical twin brother, Ernest, preceded him in death. He will be deeply missed by his love, Santelia Steven, daughters, Sandra Blodgett, Petra Villa, Lesly Jones; stepdaughters, Susan Clay, Leslie Wilson (Lionel), Lynn Knight, Lori Knight-Baker (Darrin), grandchildren, Lesly and Stephanie Blodgett, Robert Cotton, Kim Jones, Sandra Scott, Danielle Villa; step grandchildren Brent and Brandon Oliva and Santelia Rose and his great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces. He will also be fondly missed by Charmaine Silverstein, his cousins, Alphonse Lewis and Lillian Holford, as well as a host of family and friends. Herbert will be missed, but never forgotten, and his memory will always be in our hearts and minds. He has finished the race.

Published in Inside Bay Area on December 14, 2012