Albert C. Gates passed away on July 27, 2010.
Mr. Gates was born in Ventura, in August of 1945, and lived most of his life in Ojai. Bert attended Nordhoff Elementary, Monica Ros, San Antonio, Ojai Valley School and graduated from Nordhoff High School in 1964. He graduated from Ventura College and attended Sacramento State College.
Bert was a citrus and avocado grower and an avid gardener. He definitely had a green thumb. He also loved to cook and was very good at it. He was a charter member of the Tuesday Bridge Group and also played duplicate bridge with the Ojai Valley Bridge Club. For a time Mr. Gates was active on and off stage at the Ojai Art Center. He traveled extensively, visiting Europe, Asia, Australia and most of the United States.
He is survived by his three sisters; Pat Cunningham and Gerry Hunsaker of Ojai and Gwen Erickson of Rupert, Idaho; and by his nephews Ned Erickson and Gregg Hunsaker and his nieces Jill Adams and Marla Hunsaker and several great nephews and nieces.
At his request there will be no service. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Caren Olsen (Spraggins)
I was sorry to hear about the passing of Bert Gates. Bert and I shared rides to Ventura College. I remember him at school as shy and had a wonderful sense of humor. My mother and his mom were friends, so I had been over to his house a few times. WE had seen each other a few times throughout the years. He was a tremenous gardener and rancher.
I read the obit., but it didn't mention the cause of death. He was a very private person.
Caren Olsen, classmate of "64"
Jeananette/Jean Poulis (Parker)
I sat next to Bert in Mr. Landon's class. We used to get in trouble for laughing. He was a great guy and I always considered hime a good friend. Jeananette