Louis J. Gwerder

December 21, 1922 - December 4, 2020

Louis J. Gwerder Sr. set sail peacefully from San Francisco, his home of 66 years, on December 4, 2020, fourteen days before his 98th birthday. Born in Stockton, California to Swiss immigrants Louis Gwerder and Marie Laubacher. He attended Stockton High, College of the Pacific, U.C. Berkeley, and graduated from the University of San Francisco, with interruptions serving in the U.S, Army in Germany during WWII and also in the Korean conflict. He had a long career in the steamship industry as a sales and marketing executive, first with the Port of Stockton, then American Mail Line, and finally American President Lines.

In 1951 he married Barbara Ann Bayne of Stockton, who predeceased him after 58 years of marriage. He leaves two children: Lou Jr. (Kay) and Kristin (Mark) Maberley and two grandchildren Ian Maberley and Ursula (Dylan) Tumath and three great-grandchildren Callie, Isabelle, and Thomas Tumath. Though an only child, he grew up next door to his aunt and uncle and was close to his cousins Joannie, Elaine, and Athena who survive him.

A hard worker, Lou rode the streetcar every day from the Sunset District downtown to the Financial District. Every summer he would load up the family station wagon for a two week road trip. Destinations included New York City, Canada, and even Mazatlan and Guadalajara Mexico. He traveled the world with Barbara and drove many miles traversing the U.S. into his nineties. His final traveling companion was the wonderful Leonora Corvi.

The family wishes to thank the Cypress Gardens staff and Sutter Hospice for their kind care of Lou.

There will be a celebration of Lou’s life on a future date when it is safe for all who loved him to gather together.