Gerald Marvin Hermanson

Gerry felt he was preordained to live in San Diego. He was born in Minneapolis and while he and his mom Ruth were still in the hospital, his dad Marv received orders from the Army to report to Fort Rosecrans in Point Loma. When he was old enough to travel about two months later, he and mom were on the train to San Diego where he spent the first three years of his life (including some time in Pasadena). Then he and mom returned to live with her folks in Good Thunder Minnesota while his dad was sent to London to serve as Bradley’s War Room Coordinator during WWII.

After the war, Edina was home and he enjoyed winter sports like hockey with his pals and spending the warm months at the family’s lake cabin water skiing and fishing. He attended the University of Minnesota and St. Cloud College, but after a summer job extending into the cold winter, surveying with the Highway Department, he opted for a warmer climate. So he drove with all his belongings in his beloved ’63 Corvette to Arizona where he received a Master’s degree from Arizona State.

Then he headed even further west back to sunny San Diego and obtained a second master’s degree, this time in Public Administration from San Diego State. He also started a “temporary” job with the County of San Diego in 1967, which led to a very successful and rewarding 35 year career with the Planning Department as Deputy Director, including the last couple of years with General Services. He retired in 2003.

In 1975 he built his dream home in La Jolla, establishing his permanent roots as a San Diegan. His parents were welcome company during the winters, helping with projects and escaping the Minnesota cold. When Ruth died, Marv became a permanent part of the San Diego family for the following 16 years until his death at age 100 in 2013. Gerry adapted his sports interests to the sunny west coast climes enjoying running, racquetball, tennis, golf, and hiking. The snow still had its allure too, so it was off to various slopes to ski each winter. As an avid supporter of the Aztecs, he became a lifetime season ticket holder with his buddies for the basketball and football teams. “Go Aztecs!” was his favorite shout out!

Gerry started his season tickets to the Old Globe too before the big fire, and continued with the series throughout his life. He met his wife Donna in the mid 80’s and they enjoyed these activities together, along with traveling around the U.S. and the world, cruising, singing in concerts and tours (performing in several locales such as Spain, England, France, New York), acting in plays - having several adventures each year.

Of course any activity was a favorite when spent with loved ones. It was a blessing to have shared so many memorable times with treasured family members and friends met via work, hiking, skiing, golf, Playreaders, Pacificaires, Church, wine tasting, trips, etc. Fortunately, Gerry never lost his nice, gentle Minnesotan demeanor and, with his fine sense of humor, was always a pleasure to be around. He never complained or spoke harshly about anyone, was kind, patient, adventurous, generous, a loyal friend, and a devoted son, husband, father, and grandpapa.

Gerry remained strong and quietly endured radiation and chemotherapy as his throat cancer was eradicated nine years ago. He handled his daily battles with Parkinson’s with the same quiet courage for the last couple of years, but complications from the two diseases resulted in a third pneumonia which he could not overcome. He is survived by his wife Donna, daughter Jennifer Hartman, son-in-law Charles, and grandchildren Chance and Sky. We are all comforted by the thought that he is no longer suffering and is now at peace, but we dearly miss his gentle, loving presence.