December 12, 1949 – December 9, 2013
PACIFIC GROVE -- Darby William Fuerst died at the age of 63, Monday morning, on December 9, 2013, ending his struggle with cancer.
Darby was born in San Francisco on December 12, 1949, the fifth of six children, followed closely by his twin brother, Rory. Darby graduated from Serra High School in 1968 and continued an extensive academic path through Occidental College, Cañada College, the Universities of Washington and Arizona, collecting degrees along the way in English, Geology and Hydrology. Between studies, he joined the Peace Corps, serving two years in Ethiopia, where he met his fellow volunteer and future wife of 34 years, Andrea Helgerson Fuerst.
Darby and Andrea traveled and moved often, ultimately choosing to make their home and raise their four children, Delia McCraley, Anna Padilla, George Fuerst and Collin Fuerst in Pacific Grove, California. Darby found great pride in celebrating the successful educations and careers of his children, great joy in welcoming sons-in–law, Tim McCraley and Steven Padilla to the family, and great happiness in the arrival of grandchildren Thomas Darby McCraley, Sean Eoghan McCraley and twins Linnea Jean Padilla and Cody Robert Padilla.
Darby had a long and celebrated career at the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District for over 25 years, beginning as a Hydrologist and retiring in 2011 as the General Manager. He was respected for his dedication to the importance of accurate historic records, thorough data collection, and community education in all issues related to water resources studies and planning on the Monterey Peninsula.
Darby was an active leader in local youth programs as a coach, a Boy Scout leader and supportive parent volunteer. His excellent memory, love of reading, sense of humor and enthusiastic story-telling made him a sought after companion on hikes, bike rides, road trips and any other adventure or occasion.
Darby is preceded in death by his parents, George William and Mary Ellen Fuerst of Atherton, and his sister Penny Fuerst. He is survived by his siblings and their families, Peadar and Sue Fuerst, Ginger and Patrick Connolly, Jill Fuerst, and Rory and Lisa Fuerst. He loved his extended family of 19 nieces and nephews and 21 grand nieces and nephews, treasuring the opportunities to entertain the children with adventures, jokes, tricks and stories.
Please join us in celebrating the memory of Darby’s life. A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Angela’s Church on Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove, 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2013. From 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Asilomar Conference Center in The Chapel we will gather to tell stories, share photos, and raise our glasses with Darby’s favorite toast, “Here’s to us, good people are scarce”.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula.
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